Victorian+England+influence+on+European+social+norms.DH



Victorian England influence on European social norms Victorian England in the 19th century was transformed by the Industrial Revolution.

The social hierarchy was composed of the ‘Upper Class’, ‘Middle Class’, ‘Working Class’ and ‘Under Class’.

The concept of the gentleman was not merely a social or class designation. There was also a moral component inherent in the concept which made it a difficult and ambiguous thing for Victorians themselves to attempt to define. Everyone strived to be a gentleman.

Social etiquette in the 19th century was important and involved many elaborate social rituals for people to follow.

Sexual prudishness is a Victorian phenomenon, allowing Victorian writers opportunities to develop an elaborate discourse-richly ambiguous and subtly coded.

Social dancing became more natural and egalitarian. Clothing and dancing became less elaborate and restrictive. 19th century social dance can be divided into three eras, the Regency Era, the Romantic Era and the High Victorian Era. The overall spirit of dancing during the 1840s to 1860s was one of excitement, exuberance and gracious romance. The dances were fresh, inventive, youthful and somewhat daring. Society fashions were rich and elegant, but continued an emphasis on simplicity. Towards the end of the century, dance became less exciting, fewer people devoted themselves to learning full dances, and there was less public interest.

In the 19th century Britain women were expected to marry and have children. however, there was in fact a shortage of available men. The laws in Britain were based on the idea that women would get married and that their husbands would take care of them. The idea was that upper and middle class women had to stay dependent on a man: first as a daughter and later as a wife. Once married, it was extremely difficult for a woman to obtain a divorce.

Works Cited:"Marriage in the 19th Century." //Spartacus Educational - Home Page//. Web. 11 Jan. 2011. . Powers, Richard. "19th Century Social Dance." //Social Dance at Stanford//. Stanford. Web. 11 Jan. 2011. []. "Victorian Dance Society of The Amherst Museum." //Victorian Dance Society of The Amherst Museum//. Web. 11 Jan. 2011. [].

"Victorian Social History: An Overview." //The Victorian Web: An Overview//. Web. 11 Jan. 2011. [].

** Victorian England influence on European social norms ** 
 * European social norms still largely influenced by England 
 * <span style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Queen Victoria set a standard of middle-class propriety <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">
 * <span style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 72.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">social life based in the home <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">
 * <span style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 72.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">family unit held up as the ideal <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">
 * <span style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 72.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">men held up as the superior being in the household <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">
 * <span style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Popular art & literature extolled the calm household under the benign authority of the male <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">
 * <span style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Charles Dickens writing novels that exposed the bare and brutal underside of Victorian life <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">
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