Victorianism: Arnold and Tennyson

Abstract

‘Victorianism’ is an umbrella term covering the major part of the 19th century: a century unique in the diversity of its achievement and the boundless energy with which it pursued its goals. Queen Victoria ruled for a 64-year spell (1837–1901) which saw Britain transformed from a predominantly agricultural and slow-moving society into an uneven patchwork of forgotten fields and overcrowded industrial conurbations in which struggle, strife and rapid change were endemic. The 19th century witnessed the resuscitation of the austere Puritan work ethic of the 17th century – this time adopted with verve and vigour and applied with remorseless ingenuity to the technological possibilities set rolling by the steam-engine.