Gender roles: Victorian be pure, submissive, and domesticated, while men were seen as strong, rational, and independent. This reflected the societal expectation that men and women should conform to traditional gender norms.
Class division: Victorian literature frequently depicted the stark divisions between the upper, middle, and working classes. Novels often focused on the struggles of characters from lower classes trying to navigate a society that favored the wealthy and privileged.
Morality and virtue: Victorian literature often emphasized moral lessons and the importance of virtue. Characters were typically rewarded for their good behavior and punished for their transgressions, reflecting the Victorian belief in the importance of moral rectitude.
Family values: Victorian literature often portrayed the ideal family as a stable, loving unit, with strong bonds between parents and children. Novels often celebrated traditional family values and the importance of familial duty and responsibility.
Conformity and respectability: Victorian literature often promoted the importance of conforming to societal norms and maintaining a respectable image. Characters who deviated from societal expectations were often punished or ostracized, reinforcing the value placed on conformity.
Overall, Victorian literature reflected the social norms and values of the time by promoting traditional gender roles, emphasizing class divisions, highlighting morality and virtue, celebrating family values, and promoting conformity and respectability.
