Fin de Siecle Key Words and Concepts

the transformation from an agricultural to an industrial nation- increase in factories (emergence of the middle class)

the higher levels of the working class are becoming middle class

"art for art's sake" arts movement which exists on the doctrine that art exists for it's beauty alone and serves no political or didactic (moral) purpose (e.g. Oscar Wilde)

Victorian society in a state of decline (of values)

people who had become rich through business rather than through having been born into a rich family

Prominent artistic movement- cultural decline characterised by indulgence in pleasure or luxury (parodied in Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest)

the general spirit of the time (e.g. "the zeitgeist of the Victorian Era was often described as focused on industrial progress.")

a woman of the turn of the 20th century often from the middle class who dressed practically, moved about freely, lived apart from her family, and supported herself

novels "by a woman about women from the standpoint of the women" e.g yellow wallpaper

A poem by Coventry Patmore, published in 1856, stressing the value of a woman's purity and selflessness.

pursuit of pleasure, especially of the sense

a man who is overly fastidious about his dress e.g. Dorian Gray

the scientific study of sexuality emerged in the Victorian Era

made it the law for women suspected of prostitution to register with the police and submit to an invasive medical examination

Also known as England problem novels, in the Victorian era. Engaged with contemporary social and political problems

The pastoral myth of "merrie (pastoral) engalnd" brought people to rural areas of the country.

Genre fiction was considered inferior to "serious" literature. e.g. Agatha Christie (mystery), Mary Shelly (Sci-fi) or The Brontes (Romance)

The Fin De Siecle saw a rise in experimental forms of writing that opposed the realist, third-person triple-decker novel. (e.g. Yellow Wallpaper (first person, short story))

The exoticised "other" (which were colonised by the British Empire) were either depicted as happy and free or "unrighteously" and monstrously fighting for freedom. (both were offensive and constrictive depictions of colonised people)

The late 19th century saw a rise in first in first wave feminism. e.g. the sufferagettes

The rise of factories inspired literature about class constrictions. (e.g. Dickens)

the debate over the role of women in society (e.g. What jobs Can they do?)

The Victorian British Empire dominated the globe and saw a rise in Travel Writing and exoticism of "other" cultures.

The "other" in London. Overpopulated sections with an increase in disease, class aggression and famine. (NOT what was glamorised during the Victorian era, which was an efficient London)

Nineteenth-century trend in which (mainly) the middle class saw luxury and interesting characteristics in 'othered' countries. (e.g. Lots of references to "the orient" in Wilde's work).

decline in religion in Victorian era. Increase in science

Important reforms included legislation on child labour, safety in mines and factories, public health, the end of slavery in the British Empire, and education.

Opposed modern mass production and embraced natural forms. (William Morris was a major force.)

Term was coined by Darwins cousin in 1880 influenced by the concept of "social darwinism." Influenced a Victorian Interest in a bastardised evolution and certainly influenced physiognomy of the "other" or "wrong" in literature.

doctors who treated people with mental disorders in the 18th century. did not need training, often teated women and sent them away. (e.g. yellow wallpaper)

Standard format for fiction during the nineteenth century, separated into three books and unaffordable to the average reader (therefore aimed at the rich)

A British humor magazine that lasted from 1841-2002; famous for its cartoons (particularly misogynistic cartoons in response to the new woman e.g. A comical caricature of an overtly masculine women)

Genre of Literature from early to late 19th century. Featured third person narrative, middle-class characters and the women were married by the end. (e.g. Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights etc)