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Reference: CRANFORD TV SERIES. Available at academic-accelerator.com/encyclopedia/cranford-tv-series#!

Did you know that there are TV series inspired by the novels of Elizabeth Gaskell? One of them is Cranford, and let me tell you a bit more about this one.

In 2007, the British TV series aired for the first time in the UK. The plot is based on the combination of three novels by Gaskell that intertwine: Cranford, My Lady Ludlow, and The Confessions of Mr. Harrison. This only shows the influence of the brilliant author to this day, and how her writings offer a unique insight into descriptions of the Victorian Era.

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Reference: Anna. ELIZABETH GASKELL AND JANE AUSTEN. austenised.blogspot.com,2010. Available at

https://austenised.blogspot.com/2010/10/elizabeth-gaskell-and-jane-austen.html

Even though Elizabeth Gaskell lived about 40 years ahead of Jane Austen, it is possible to find some (or in some cases a lot of) similarities between their novels and characters, which reinforces the influence of Jane Austen in Ms.Gaskell writing. As they both lived in the Victorian era, it would not be impossible to consider the fact that Gaskell had contact with Miss Austen's work at some point, although this fact has never been proven, it is not a theory to be completely discarded. Jane Austen’s writing was more limited, due to her social status and the fact she was single, whilst Gaskell was married to a minister, traveled a lot, and had children already. Now, regarding the resemblance of characters, I brought an example, such as the strong personality and fearless Elizabeth of Pride and Prejudice and the stubborn and courageous Margaret, from North and South; both of them have a unique and arduous essence and are reluctant in acknowledge their own feelings towards someone they care about.

But, there is a truce between this Gaskell and Austen parallel when it comes to the description of the places where the stories happened. One of them describes life in the country and idealizes places and situations since imagination was all she had, while the other one describes the reality of the city and the people, especially the working class, during Industrialization.

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This is a poem that I made thinking about if I were Elizabeth Gaskell, how would I feel while writing the novels? Would I be cautious? What kind of feelings and descriptions I would like the world to know and to express? What I would like to portrait in my stories? What about the ones who can't say anything? What I would like to say?
What do I have to say?

If I were Gaskell

To see
the unseen,
To feel
the unknown,
To write
the unspoken,
All those trips
and still
being held by the urge
To tell
someone,
anyone
something,
anything.
They don't realize
The only change that matters
is the one stabbed
in our souls,
stolen
with the hours
inside a grey cloud
full of tiredness.
Staring faces
wishing for one thing
and one thing only,
Hope
What a tragic
hope.

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Reference: DANIEL COLE. Victorian Morality. Study.com, 2022. Available at https://study.com/learn/lesson/victorian-morality-values-ideas.html#:~:text=Victorian%20morality%20is%20associated%20with,exploitation%20of%20the%20lower%20classes. Accessed on October, 24, 2023.

In Elizabeth Gaskell's novel, we can see the morals and values of the Victorian era exposed by Cousin Philis's family, and also by the narrator, Paul Manning, and his friend Mr Edward Holdsworth (railway engineer). But we must bear in mind the contrast between this morality and what was happening in the Victorian era in the Capital. London was a terrible place to live in if you were a working class person.

The problem of poverty caused growing public concern during the early 19th century. The existing system for looking after those unable to care for themselves - the old, sick, disabled, orphans and unemployed - was based on a series of Acts of Parliament passed during the later Tudor period. These laws imposed an obligation on every parish to take care of its poor, though this had much less to do with compassion than with the need to preserve order and stability.

'Poor relief' was not the responsibility of the central government, but of the local parish, the main part of local government. A 'poor rate' or local tax paid by parish householders was used to help the poor in two main ways. In the 18th century those who were too ill, old, destitute, or who were orphaned children were put into a local 'workhouse' or 'poorhouse'. Those able to work, but whose wages were too low to support their families, received 'relief in aid of wages' in the form of money, food and clothes.

The poorhouses were terrible places, that looked like prisons.

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Here is Our collage made in literature class to represent life in the countryside, shown in the work: "prima phillis."

I think Cousin Phillis would say that her life is neither so sweet nor so monotonous.

Uncle Phillis had a hard time, an heartache to worry about.

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Did you know that Cousin  Phillis has already been translated into Portuguese?

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Did you know that Cousin  Phillis has already been translated into Portuguese?

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References: Tamires de Carvalho. [RESENHA] PRIMA PHILLIS, DE ELIZABETH GASKELL. Literatura blog, 2018. Available at https://www.literaturablog.com/resenha-prima-phillis-de-elizabeth-gaskell/. Accessed on October 24 2023.

Did you know that Cousin Phillies has already been translated into Portuguese?

I found out the book in Portuguese today. It is a good call for those who seek Victorian literature but don't master the English language. ( it is a good call to us as well, sometimes the reading gets to slow when reading in English and we don't have much time)

One thing that caught my attention on this blog is that the author stated that "Cousin Phillis" is criticized by some Gaskell critics, they state that is a good book but it doesn't show the geniality of the author.

Although the critics comment, the author of the blog has enjoyed the reading.

I think it was nice to read, but I personally felt a little bored when reading. The descriptive features were amazing, but, for me, it felt like nothing was really happening. Compared to the other texts we read till now I will give grade 6.

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The novel is a portrait of what life can be, that we don't always have control over our feelings and people.

Written in the Victorian Era, we can see some perspectives and contrasts about what was happening at the time. On the one hand, we see a Bucolic Life on the farm, based on the religion morals, and family values. Here, life passes slowly, country life shows us that the so-called “progress” wasn’t the reality of all the citizens of England. On the other hand, we see the progress coming fast, on a railroad, bringing the turbulences of a busy life, and the different manners of city people.

Another thing that comes into my mind: although we see representations of the patriarchal society that they were in ( We are in the same patriarchal society right now, with a few improvements for women) The novel tries to show Cousin Philis as an intelligent and well-educated person. This kind of education was not common at their time for a woman. maybe it was Gaskell’s way of putting women's roles in a certain perspective, rather than just showing an immature and passionate girl.

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References: : Letters of Charles Dickens to Elizabeth Gaskell. The Dickens page. 2020. available at http://victorian-studies.net/CD-Letters-EG.html. Accessed in October 10 2023.

I personally like when I discovered some kind of relationship between artists.

Here at "the Dickens page" I found out a letter from Dickens to Mrs. Gaskell.It looks like they were friends, and Dickens admired her a lot. In one of the letters, Dickens suggests Mrs. Gaskell is as fascinating as the "Arabian Nights" calling Mrs. Gaskell by "Scheherazade".

He says: "My Dear Scheherazade - for I am sure your powers of narrative can never be exhausted in a single night, but must be good for at least a thousand nights and one".

Both were writing from the same time, in the Victorian era, and it is nice to know that Mr. Dickens admired her and her job as well!

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Letters of Charles Dickens to Elizabeth Gaskell

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Elizabeth Gaskell's Plymouth Grove Residence

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Elizabeth Gaskell's Plymouth Grove Residence

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Reference: Elizabeth Gaskell Biography. The Gaskell Society, 2023. Available at https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/elizabeth-gaskell. Accessed on October, 10, 2023.

In 1850, the Gaskells moved to Plymouth Grove, a larger and more comfortable residence, where Elizabeth hosted numerous intellectual and eminent figures of her time. She was an active humanitarian, advocating for social reconciliation and better understanding between different segments of society. Her writing style was marked by careful research and authentic representation of northern dialects.

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Gaskell's Impact on Victorian Literature

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Gaskell's Impact on Victorian Literature

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Reference: Elizabeth Gaskell Biography. The Gaskell Society, 2023. Available at: https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/elizabeth-gaskell/. Accessed on October 10, 2023.

Gaskell's writing was deeply influenced by the social and industrial transformations of Manchester, highlighting the harsh living conditions of factory workers. Her novel "Mary Barton" drew attention to these issues and provoked national discussions. Charles Dickens, impressed by her work, invited her to contribute to his publications, leading to her widespread recognition as an author.

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Paradoxical Places: Imagining the Urban and the Rural in Victorian Britain

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Paradoxical Places: Imagining the Urban and the Rural in Victorian Britain

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Reference: KAREN SOYER. Paradoxical Places: Imagining the Urban and the Rural in Victorian Britain. Open Edition Books, 2023. Accessed on October 24, 2023.

The source above shows us The Victorian perception of nature was multifaceted. While the countryside was often associated with natural beauty and health, it could also be seen as unmanaged, wild, and potentially unhealthy. Rural life presented its own complexities, as laborers were often depicted as less than fully civilized, especially due to their physically demanding work and living conditions. These contrasting views of nature and rural life contributed to the complexities of the Victorian rural imaginary.

The Victorian era also witnessed tensions between the urban and rural environments. Rural laborers, like their urban counterparts, could be viewed as "less than human" when compared to the elite. Migrant laborers who moved between town and country further blurred the lines between urban and rural identities, highlighting the complexities of mobility and community in this period.

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Reference: Elizabeth Gaskell Biography. The Gaskell Society, 2023. Available at https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/elizabeth-gaskell/. Accessed on October 10, 2023.

Despite her occasional melodrama, Gaskell was a gifted storyteller. Her biography of Charlotte Brontë stirred controversy due to alleged defamatory statements. She was an independent traveler, often accompanied by her daughters, and maintained friendships with prominent figures like Charlotte Brontë, John Ruskin, and Florence Nightingale.

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The Literary Legacy of Elizabeth Gaskell

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The Literary Legacy of Elizabeth Gaskell

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Reference: Elizabeth Gaskell Biography. The Gaskell Society, 2023. Available at https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/elizabeth-gaskell/. Accessed on October 10, 2023.

Gaskell's notable works include "Cranford," "Ruth," "North and South," "Sylvia's Lovers," and "Wives and Daughters." Tragically, she passed away in 1865 while secretly buying a house as a surprise for her family. Her final novel, "Wives and Daughters," was published posthumously in 1866. Although her writing was initially considered old-fashioned, Elizabeth Gaskell is now recognized as one of the most esteemed Victorian novelists, appreciated for her storytelling prowess and social commentary, making her a subject of interest for contemporary literary enthusiasts and scholars alike.

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Reference: Elizabeth Gaskell Biography. The Gaskell Society, 2023. Available at https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/elizabeth-gaskell/. Accessed on October 10, 2023.

Elizabeth Gaskell, born in 1810, was an influential 19th-century English novelist known for her insightful literary works that portrayed the realities of Victorian society. After the early loss of her mother, Elizabeth spent her childhood with her aunt in Knutsford, which later served as inspiration for her famous works, such as "Cranford" and "Wives and Daughters." She married William Gaskell in 1832, a minister in Manchester, where they settled and engaged in charitable work, focusing on the plight of the working class.

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Hey, if you're diving into Charles Dickens' world of words and characters, there's this cool playlist we found that has songs from the Victorian era. It's a great way to set the mood and get into the vibe of the time when Dickens was writing. So, imagine immersing yourself in his tales while listening to the music that people in his time used to groove to. It's like a journey back in time, both through the words on the pages and the melodies in your ears. Perfect for really getting into the essence of Dickens' literary magic! 🎶

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Novels from Bleak House to Little Dorrit of Charles Dickens. Britannica, 2023. Available at https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Dickens-British-novelist/Last-years. Accessed on 09-27-2023.

Let us tell you about Charles Dickens, the literary legend! He went by the full name of Charles John Huffam Dickens, and he was born on February 7, 1812, in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. Sadly, he passed away on June 9, 1870, near Chatham, Kent, at Gad’s Hill. This guy was the rockstar of Victorian-era literature. Seriously, he's like the Beyoncé of that time. He wrote a bunch of amazing books that everyone still talks about today. We're talking classics like A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Bleak House, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, and Our Mutual Friend. Basically, the guy was a literary genius, and his books are pure gold! 📖✨

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Novels from Bleak House to Little Dorrit of Charles Dickens. Britannica, 2023. Available at https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Dickens-British-novelist/Last-years. Accessed on 09-27-2023.

You wouldn't believe how much Charles Dickens' own life shaped the stories he wrote! Picture this: he actually grew up right in the thick of those tough factory-filled surroundings, all thanks to the massive industrial shifts happening back in his day. And you know what's cool? He stayed super committed to standing up for the folks who didn't have it so easy. In his books, you'll notice he brings characters from the lower rungs of society to life. It's like a snapshot of what life was really like during those times. And get this—the characters he crafted often mirrored his own life experiences. It's almost like he blurred the line between what happened to him and what he imagined for his characters in his awesome stories. 📚✨

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Bowl of Chalk on Instagram: "Fun London Fact #123

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Hey, did you know there's this spot near Covent Garden that used to be a TGI Fridays until a few years back? Well, back in the 1820s, it was actually a boot polish factory. And guess what? Charles Dickens, the famous author we study, worked there when he was just 12 years old! Can you believe that? It's like stepping into a piece of history right there in London. 🏢👞✨

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Bowl of Chalk on Instagram: "Fun London Fact #123

A building near Covent Garden that was until a few years ago a TGI Fridays, was in the 1820s a boot polish factory where Charles Dickens worked when he was 12 years old.

#londonwalkingtours #londontours #londonguide #walkingtours #funfactoftheday #factoftheday #funfacts #trivia #coventgarden #charlesdickens #dickens #fagin #olivertwist #davidcopperfield #warehouse #thames #london #londonhistory #literaryinsta #literarylondon #fiction #childlabour #childlabor #prison #debt #londonprison #westend #tgifridays #charles"

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1,894 likes, 31 comments - bowlofchalk on May 3, 2023: "Fun London Fact #123

A building near Covent Garden that was until a few years ago a TGI Fridays,..."

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Novels from Bleak House to Little Dorrit of Charles Dickens. Brittanica. 2023. Available at https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Dickens-British-novelist/Novels-from-Bleak-House-to-Little-Dorrit. Accessed on 09-27-2023.

Charles Dickens spilled his life experiences all over his novels. Seriously, in each one, he's laying down bits of his own journey, especially how the Industrial Revolution totally messed with his prime years. Poor guy, right? And you know what's rad? Being a social critic was basically in his DNA because of what he went through. Dickens didn't hold back—he painted a raw picture of society during that era. While lots of other writers were all about praising the Industrial Revolution, Dickens was like, “Hold up, let's talk about the downsides too!” He wasn't sugar-coating anything, that's for sure. 📚🔍✊

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Novels from Bleak House to Little Dorrit of Charles Dickens. Brittanica. 2023. Available at https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Dickens-British-novelist/Novels-from-Bleak-House-to-Little-Dorrit. Accessed on 09-27-2023.

His novels are like a reflection of how messed up things got during the Industrial Revolution. Picture this: super-fast urbanization happened because of the Revolution, but it basically meant the poor were dealing with awful living conditions. That's why Dickens was all about helping out those who had it rough. And his stories? They're like this big canvas showing all the different parts of society—how families worked, what everyday life was like—you name it. It's like he's giving us a backstage pass to really understand what was going on back in the day. 🎭🏭💥

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Oliver Twist and the Workhouse. British Library, 2014. available at https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/oliver-twist-and-the-workhouse. accessed on 09/27/2023.

Dickens had a major beef with Parliament. Before hitting it big as a novelist, he used to report on Parliament stuff. Picture this: he was up close and personal, jotting down every single word those politicians said in shorthand notes, and then typing it all up for the newspapers. He sat through tons of debates and, oh boy, the way MPs talked about people seriously grossed him out. And get this, when he was working on Oliver Twist, the whole country was starting to get hit with new laws. It's like he had this front-row seat to how the system worked, and he wasn't impressed.😒 📝🗣️🤢

As a reporter, it is essential to have a keen eye for detail, facts, and nuances in specific data. In Dickens's works, such as "In the Prisoner's Van" ( https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-16184487), we can see these skills on display. The reader is transported into a specific situation through rich descriptions of characters like the sister, imagining their clothing, voice, and demeanor so vividly that it feels like a real experience. Dickens's ability to pay attention to details, a trait common among reporters, is evident in his writing. 👀✔

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Novels from Bleak House to Little Dorrit of Charles Dickens. Brittanica. 2023. Available at https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Dickens-British-novelist/Novels-from-Bleak-House-to-Little-Dorrit. Accessed on 09-27-2023.

In Oliver Twist, he dives deep into how orphans were treated in workhouses, shining a light on the messed-up stuff that was happening in society. Oliver's story hits hard because you see this crazy difference between how he's treated and how the rich kids are living the good life. The upper-class folks were pretty harsh on the lower-class and orphans, and you can see how that influenced how they were treated. Reading Oliver's experiences just tugs at your heartstrings, making you really feel for the guy. Dickens knew how to pull us into Oliver's struggle, for sure. 📖👀💔

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Oliver Twist and the workhouse. British Library, may 15 2014. Available at: https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/oliver-twist-and-the-workhouse. accessed on september 27 2023.

You've probably heard about the whole Poor Law and those gloomy workhouses if you've come across Oliver Twist—be it the book, the movie, or the musical. That iconic scene where the skinny, forgotten kid asks for more food has become, like, a total classic. Now, for Charles Dickens, writing about this Poor Law thing was more than just storytelling. He was diving right into an ongoing national debate, making us think about the whole system. You can totally hear it in his writing—sometimes he gets all sassy and sarcastic, showing he wasn't a fan of how un-Christian the Poor Law was in his eyes. 📚🍲🎭

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Oliver twist. British Library, 2014. Available at https://www.bl.uk/works/oliver-twist#:~:text=Dickens%20was%20deeply%20disturbed%20by,flaws%20of%20the%20workhouse%20system. Accessed on September 09 2023.

Check it out! This is the original draft of the intro for the 1850 edition of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. It's like a behind-the-scenes look at how he set the stage for this awesome novel. It's like a backstage pass to Dickens' thoughts before the curtain lifts on Oliver Twist in 1850. It's where he lays the groundwork, tells you what's about to go down in his story, and maybe even spills a little tea on the themes and ideas he's cooking up. It's pretty cool to see how the whole thing was shaping up right from the start. 📜✨

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Oliver Twist and the workhouse. British Library, may 15 2014. Available at https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/oliver-twist-and-the-workhouse. accessed on September 09 2023.

When Dickens was cooking up Oliver Twist, he started dishing it out in chunks from February 1837 to April 1839. He had this big plan in mind: to expose how messed up the system was, especially in how they treated an innocent kiddo like Oliver who grew up in the workhouse. Oliver's life was no picnic. Dickens paints this bleak picture where the boys are ignored, treated like dirt, and they're so darn hungry that one kid's ready to eat another just for a decent meal. Can you imagine? Oliver mustered the guts to ask for more grub because the boys played a twisted game of luck to decide who'd do it, and guess what? He got the short end of the stick. Tough break, right? 🥣🍞😟

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Novels from Bleak House to Little Dorrit of Charles Dickens. Brittanica. 2023. Available at https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Dickens-British-novelist/Novels-from-Bleak-House-to-Little-Dorrit. Accessed on 09-27-2023.

Dickens really serves up a whole buffet of society attitudes in his novels. Check this out: he sets characters like Mr. Brownlow and Mr. Grimwig side by side to showcase how they see orphans from totally different angles. It's like turning on a spotlight on the contrast. Oliver's hunger is no joke, and the way society reacts? Ugh, it's a real eye-opener. Shows you how out of touch the different classes were. Dickens goes hard, calling out society's double standards and giving us a raw look at what life was like back in Victorian times. 🕵️‍♂️💥

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Novels from Bleak House to Little Dorrit of Charles Dickens. Brittanica. 2023. Available at https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Dickens-British-novelist/Novels-from-Bleak-House-to-Little-Dorrit. Accessed on 09-27-2023.

Language is like Dickens' secret weapon in his novels. He's a total pro at using sarcasm to hit the nail on the head with his ideas. The way he dishes out words unveils all these themes he's got brewing in his works. And guess what? He doesn't hold back on slamming those awful workhouses meant to scare off the poor—clearly, he was not a fan. And you know Oliver Twist's story? It all starts with his birth in a workhouse, setting the stage for how he's this symbol of the struggling folks. It's like Dickens is dropping hints about what's in store for him from the get-go. 🗣️✍️🎯

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Diving into Charles Dickens' stuff is like hopping on a rollercoaster of awesome characters, super vivid language, and stories that just grab you and won't let go. Seriously, he's not just telling tales—he's giving society a piece of his mind, shining a big spotlight on what's messed up. You read his works and it's like this time-travel adventure, understanding how things rolled in 19th-century England. But what's wild is that the issues he tackled still hit home today. Think compassion and bouncing back against all odds. Dickens has left this incredible legacy, making his books like this cool time machine that shows us where we've been and what we're made of. 🎢📚💫

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Why should you read Charles Dickens? - Iseult Gillespie

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So, in "Hard Times," Dickens paints a real picture of England, using this made-up city called Coketown. In this place, you've got Thomas Gradgrind, the super strict headmaster who's all about this philosophy called utilitarianism. He's trying to shove it down his family's throat. Then there's Mr. Bounderby, this cold-hearted businessman. The story's like this tug of war between their hardcore focus on material stuff versus the whole idea of imagination and creativity. And along the way, Dickens dives into worker struggles, trade unions, and how people fudge numbers to make things look better than they are. It's a real eye-opener. 🏭📖✨

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Hard times quotes. Charles Dickens info, 2023. Available at https://www.charlesdickensinfo.com/quote-title/hard-times/ . accessed on september 27 2023.

Here's a cool snippet from "Hard Times." Dickens lays it out—like, you can measure the force of an engine with a pound weight, but you can't slap a number on a person's heart and soul. He's saying, no fancy math can predict the good or bad a person might do, or if they'll be loving or hating, patriotic or fed up. It's all this unpredictable mix swirling in the minds of these seemingly ordinary folks, who might surprise you with what's going on inside. 📖💭✨

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"The Prisoners’ Van" was printed in Bell’s Life in London on November 29, 1835. Charles Dickens, under the undercover name "Tibbs," was the brains behind this stuff. But what's really interesting is that when it later made its way into "Sketches by Boz," they snipped off the first two paragraphs. The story is this close-up view of two sisters who got trapped in a bleak life of prostitution, all because of their own mother's actions. And hold on, it also dives into the lives of some boys caught up in the grim world of pickpocketing. Dickens, using precise language, wanted to spotlight how the middle class perceived the working class—as if they were animals or something less than human. 🎭🖊️🔍

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Jim Carreys A Christmas Carol Official Trailer

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This movie, "A Christmas Carol", is like a modern spin on Charles Dickens' timeless tale. It's this cool animated fantasy movie crafted by Robert Zemeckis and put out there by Walt Disney Pictures. The plot centers around this grumpy dude named Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Jim Carrey. Scrooge is all about being a party pooper when it comes to Christmas, but the night before Christmas, he gets a wake-up call from these Christmas Eve spirits. These ghosts take him on this wild journey through his own past, present, and future, revealing all the mess-ups and miseries. Suddenly, Scrooge is like, "Whoa, I need a do-over!" It's like a redemption story where this grumpy old guy is desperate for a chance to make things right this time around. 🎄👻🎬

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Jim Carreys A Christmas Carol Official Trailer

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Oliver Twist and the workhouse. British Library, may 15 2014. Available at https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/oliver-twist-and-the-workhouse. accessed on September 09 2023.

The workhouse system back then was seriously despised. Everyone did their best to steer clear of it. But if you ended up there, you were in a tough spot—either you were super vulnerable, or you had this tough, hardened demeanour. The messed-up part was that they'd mix these two groups together in the same wards. If you were down on your luck with some chronic or incurable health issue, chances are you'd end up in the workhouse because regular hospitals wouldn't take you. It's like they stashed away the people they deemed "hopeless cases," and sadly, these were often folks society left behind—those with no chance of getting better and no social support. It's just heartbreaking to think about. 💔😞

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In the 1800s, a major shift happened in how economies rolled. Europe and America shifted from the old-school agrarian and handicraft setups to this new industrial urban scene. They even came up with a term for this big change—the 'Industrial Revolution.' The French folks first started using it, but it really caught on thanks to English economic historian Arnold Toynbee. 🔄🏭🌍

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The Industrial Revolution (18-19th Century)

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So, picture this: Queen Victoria takes the throne of Great Britain and Ireland in 1837, but it's a whole different ball game from the days when monarchs had all the power. Now, Victoria is at the helm of a government where she's supposed to talk, discuss, and steer things. But hey, it wasn't always a smooth ride. Victoria admitted she was quite emotional and sometimes found it hard to handle the responsibilities. She even pointed fingers at her gender, thinking that being a woman somehow made her not cut out for the job of being a monarch. 🤷‍♀️👑✨

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The Victorian Era Explained: The 18 y/o Monarch of England

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Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and children by Franz Xaver Winterhalter. Wikimedia commons, 2023. Available at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Queen_Victoria,_Prince_Albert,_and_children_by_Franz_Xaver_Winterhalter.jpg. accessed on september 27 2023.

In the 1800s, the Victorian upper class was all about flaunting their wealth through grand mansions, fancy dinners, and intricate fashion. While they adhered to social norms and engaged in refined hobbies, like art collection and embracing new tech, there was a whole different scene behind the scenes—strategic marriages and hidden scandals. It was a delicate dance between projecting a flawless image and navigating the complexities of high society. 🎩🍽️👗💍🕵️‍♂️

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The Persistence of Victorian Middle Class Fiction. Endinburh university press, December 8 2022. Available at https://euppublishingblog.com/2022/12/08/the-persistence-of-victorian-middle-class-fictions/. Accessed on September 09 2023.

During the 19th century, the Victorian middle class became this major deal, representing what people were aiming for and valuing at the time. This group included professionals, business owners, and skilled workers—those who had it a bit better than the working class. They lived in decent, not crazy fancy homes, but they kept them classy with cool decor. Education and being smart were big deals for them, and they always wanted to keep up a good image in society. They weren't as super rich as the upper class, but they were all about putting in the effort, being morally upright, and trying to climb the social ladder through education, culture, and giving back to their communities. 🏠🎓🌟

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Victorians: Commerce. English heritage, 2023. available at https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/victorian/commerce/. accesses on september 27 2023.

Let's talk Victorian working class—the real powerhouse of the 19th century. They fueled the industrial revolution, working hard in factories and mines, even though life was tough both at work and home. Living in cramped places, they battled long hours, low pay, and limited access to education and healthcare. But despite all that, they stood strong, forming tight communities and labor movements to fight for better rights and conditions. Their resilience set the stage for future labor rights and social shifts, leaving a lasting mark on how to face tough times head-on. 🏭💪🏠✊

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Victorian Children in Victorian Times. Victorian children, Dec 11 2012. Available at https://victorianchildren.org/victorian-children-in-victorian-times/. accessed on september 09 2023.

Let's talk about something heavy—the sad truth of Victorian child labour. Back in the day, while the world was charging ahead with industrialization, kids as young as five were thrown into the grind of factories, mines, and mills. It's messed up—long, crazy hours, risky jobs, and they lost their childhood innocence and any shot at education. These poor young souls faced danger, their growth got stunted, and they missed out on just being kids. It's like the dark side of progress back then, right? But hey, it did spark some serious debates. People started thinking, "Wait, this isn't right." Slowly, they began pushing for labor reforms and education plans to help these kids out and protect them from this awful exploitation. 💔👶⚒️📚✋

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The Victorian slum life was no walk in the park. Think abject poverty and living conditions that were just plain awful. The neighborhoods were jam-packed and filthy, with cramped spaces, shared facilities, and basically no fresh air. And disease? Oh, it was everywhere, thanks to the lack of proper sanitation and clean water. Families were just trying to survive, working crazy hours in dangerous jobs and barely making enough money. Even the kids were dragged into the struggle, forced to work and missing out on education. The grim scene in Victorian slums was a stark reminder of how messed up things were back then. But hey, it also lit a fire under people. They were like, "We can't let this slide." That push for change and social reform became a mission to make life better for those struggling in the shadows. 💔🏚️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🔥

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The Hell of Life in Victorian Slums (19th Century London's Rookeries)

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Here's a summary of what we've learned: The rich folks? They were all about flaunting their wealth with fancy mansions, over-the-top parties, and clothes that were basically works of art. But then there's the flip side—the working class. Their lives were a grind, with barely enough to get by and living conditions that were just grim. Picture cramped, dirty slums and working long, hard hours in dangerous places. It was like living in two completely different worlds. This crazy gap between the haves and the have-nots really put a spotlight on the inequalities of that era. It got people talking about fairness and justice. In fact, it kicked off movements aiming to shake things up and create a society where everyone had a fair shot. 🏰💃🏭💪

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Victorians: the filthy rich and the filthy poor

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Oliver Twist and the workhouse. British Library, may 15 2014. Available at https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/oliver-twist-and-the-workhouse. accessed on September 09 2023.

Let's understand a bit better the 'New' Poor Law of 1834. Initially, workhouses were a refuge for the elderly, sick, and poor, offering necessities in exchange for work during tough job times. However, the 'New' Poor Law drastically altered this setup, transforming workhouses into prison-like institutions. The government aimed to reduce poverty relief costs, implementing this stern approach that scrapped cash aid and even basic provisions like food, shoes, and blankets for struggling families. So, if you needed assistance, your sole option was the workhouse, demanding hard work for meager sustenance. The trade-off? Full-time residence, tearing families apart and forcing them to sell their possessions—a grim and unsettling situation. 😞⚖️🏚️💔

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Image source: Oliver Twist and the workhouse. British Library, may 15 2014. Available at https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/oliver-twist-and-the-workhouse. accessed on September 09 2023.

In the Hard Times text, Dickens wrote about a lack of creativity, and schools following the utilitarian path of the way of understanding the world. It is important to remember that Dickens was writing at the same time as his countryman John Stuart Mill, one of the most famous utilitarian authors. Dickens' criticism of this ideology is not separated from his time. Thus, Dickens criticizes the utilitarian way of thinking proposing an escape to this philosophy, when, at the end of the text, he announces the happiness of a creative view back on track. 💭✍️

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"Dickensian" (2015-2016) is a British TV drama series cooked up by Tony Jordan, Sarah Phelps, Simon Winstone, and Julie Rutterford, with Harry Bradbeer calling the shots behind the camera. Picture this: it's a 19th century London vibe, and they're pulling some of Dickens' most famous characters straight from his novels and tossing them into this intriguing mix. Here's how it kicks off: Jacob Marley, a character from "Spooks," kicks the bucket on Christmas Eve. Inspector Bucket from "The Honorable Woman" steps in to crack the case. But hold up, that's not all—characters from "A Christmas Carol" and "Bleak House" make their grand entrance into the story too. 📺✨🎩🕵️‍♂️

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Cha | Jude Duarte 🗡️ on Instagram: "“I wish you to know that you have been the last dream of my soul.” — Charles Dickens

#charlesdickens #loveconnection #confession #poets #tiktoktrend"

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You've probably scrolled through your social media feed and seen those quotes, right? Well, guess what? A bunch of them are from Dickens' books! But here's the kicker—many folks reading or sharing them might not even know they're quoting Dickens. It's pretty cool how, even in this tech-driven era, Dickens' influence is alive and kicking. Those timeless words he penned? They're still making waves and resonating with people worldwide. So, in a way, we're all staying connected to Dickens and his literary magic through the wonders of technology, anytime we want. Whether it's a poignant line from "Great Expectations" or a clever snippet from "Oliver Twist," Dickens' words are just a tap away. 📚💬🌍✨

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Cha | Jude Duarte 🗡️ on Instagram: "“I wish you to know that you have been the last dream of my soul.” — Charles Dickens

#charlesdickens #loveconnection #confession #poets #tiktoktrend"

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2,425 likes, 5 comments - missmoodyreader on August 30, 2023: "“I wish you to know that you have been the last dream of my soul.” — Charles Dickens

#char..."

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Have you heard about this cool event in Deventer, Netherlands? Picture this: the 19th century English world of Charles Dickens literally springs to life right in the heart of Deventer. It's like stepping into a time machine with over 950 characters straight out of Dickens' famous books. We're talking Scrooge, Oliver Twist, Mr. Pickwick, the Christmas Carol Singers, and a whole bunch more. It's called the Dickens Festijn, and it's a massive hit, drawing in over 125,000 visitors every single year. They all gather in the historic Bergkwartier to soak up this amazing blast from the past. 🇳🇱✨📖🎉

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Oh, before you go, you've got to check out this funny video! It's Charles Dickens, yeah, but in a whole new light. He's singing and spilling the beans about his life and novels. And get this—it's not some hidden gem. It's right there on a commercial channel from BBC Studios. Pure comedy and a cool twist on Dickens! 😄🎤🎬

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Charles Dickens Song 🎶 | Vile Victorians | Horrible Histories

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Hey, before you go from this padlet, let's talk Dickens! While crafting this, we dived into the Dickensian world, and we're hoping you got as fascinated as we did. It's like unearthing this treasure trove of literary genius. Oh, and we've got something cool for you as a farewell gift: a podcast. Yeah, you heard it right! It's like a virtual tour into Dickens' life. We're talking how he managed this crazy whirlwind of a life. Seriously, the guy wore so many hats—author, reformer, traveler, and more. And guess what? He was a rockstar in his era! People back then admired him just like we do today. Can you believe it? 🎧🌟

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Listen to this episode from The History of Literature on Spotify. Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was the greatest novelist of the Victorian age. In his 58 years he went from a hardscrabble childhood to a world-famous author, beloved and admired for his unforgettable characters, his powers of observation and empathy, and his championing of the lower classes.

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Reference: AKTAŞ, Şinasi. Use of “the hands” metaphor as a mark of Christian capitalism in eventually reconciliation of sides in North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. Sosyal Arastirmalar. March, 2022. Available at https://www.sosyalarastirmalar.com/articles/use-of-the-hands-metaphor-as-a-mark-of-christian-capitalism-in-eventually-reconciliation-of-sides-in-north-and-south-by-.pdf. Accessed on October 10, 2023.

In her literary works, Gaskell delved into the social issues of her era, particularly those related to industrialization and the plight of the working class. Her novels explored the tensions between labor and capital, portraying the consequences of unfettered capitalism and raising questions about workers' rights and the responsibilities of employers. Gaskell's approach to these issues emphasized communication, mutual respect, and understanding between classes, rather than advocating for radical revolution.

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Reference: ROSEFIELD, Hannah. The Unjustly Overlooked Victorian Novelist Elizabeth Gaskell. The New Yorker, 2018. Available at https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/the-unjustly-overlooked-victorian-novelist-elizabeth-gaskell. Accessed on October 10, 2023.

Elizabeth Gaskell has not achieved the same level of popularity and recognition as some of her Victorian contemporaries, such as Charlotte Brontë and George Eliot. This could be attributed to her writing style, which lacks the wit and economy of Jane Austen, and her novels are often perceived as earnest and sentimental.

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Cousin Phillis - Story Analysis: narrative voice

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Cousin Phillis - Story Analysis: narrative voice

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Reference: GASKELL, Elizabeth. Cousin Phillis. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, 2001.

Available at https://www.gutenberg.org/files/4268/4268-h/4268-h.htm. Accessed on October 10, 2023.

The novella is narrated by Paul Manning, a first-person perspective, allowing readers to witness the events and characters through Paul's subjective experiences and emotions.

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/4268/4268-h/4268-h.htm

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Reference: GASKELL, Elizabeth. Cousin Phillis. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, 2001.

Available at https://www.gutenberg.org/files/4268/4268-h/4268-h.htm. Accessed on October 10, 2023.

Phillis is a central character in the novella. Gaskell portrays her as an intelligent, modest, and morally upright young woman. The development of her character and her relationship with Paul forms the core of the story.

As readers, we might feel curious about the unfolding of their peculiar friendship, mostly because of Philis shrewdness and prudence.

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Reference: GASKELL, Elizabeth. Cousin Phillis. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, 2001.

Available at https://www.gutenberg.org/files/4268/4268-h/4268-h.htm. Accessed on October 10, 2023.

Innocence, rural life, industrialization, and the impact of change on traditional ways of life. Also the contrast between the rural and urban worlds, with a focus on the tensions arising from these differences.

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Story Analysis: the use use imagery and symbolism

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Story Analysis: the use use imagery and symbolism

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Reference: GASKELL, Elizabeth. Cousin Phillis. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, 2001.

Available at https://www.gutenberg.org/files/4268/4268-h/4268-h.htm. Accessed on October 10, 2023.

It is used vivid imagery to depict the countryside, emphasizing its beauty and tranquility. The rural setting and its symbolic significance play a crucial role in the story. The Holman family's home and their way of life are symbolic of a fading era, that is starting to give play to the modern world.

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Reference: GASKELL, Elizabeth. Cousin Phillis. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, 2001.

Available at https://www.gutenberg.org/files/4268/4268-h/4268-h.htm. Accessed on October 10, 2023.

Cousin Phillis is set in the Victorian era, a period marked by significant social and economic changes in England. The novella reflects the Victorian emphasis on morality, virtue, and social decency, especially in the character of Phillis. The story highlights the tension between the rural and urban worlds. The Manning family represents the urban, industrialized society, while the Holmans embody the rural, agrarian way of life. This reflects the broader societal shifts occurring during the Victorian era.

Throughout the novella we can see the perspective of each group (from both backgrounds), how they see each other and what opinions they have about the people from distinct social context. It is interesting how Paul, a boy from the city, wants to see the animals, even though he doesn't know much about them, and how the minister wants to read books in order to learn about the railways, since they are getting near his house.

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Reference: GASKELL, Elizabeth. Cousin Phillis. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, 2001.

Available at https://www.gutenberg.org/files/4268/4268-h/4268-h.htm. Accessed on October 10, 2023.

The novella addresses the impact of industrialization on rural communities. The Mannings are involved in the railroad industry, symbolizing the encroachment of industrialization into the countryside and its effects on traditional farming communities.

Class distinctions and social hierarchies are subtly explored in the novella. While Paul Manning is from a somewhat higher social class, his interactions with the Holmans reveal the complexities of class dynamics in Victorian society.

Gender roles and expectations are evident in the character of Phillis, who embodies the Victorian ideal of femininity and domesticity. Her character is contrasted with the more assertive and worldly Paul.