This document contains comprehensive notes on the cultural, historical, and societal context of England during the relevant time period, as well as in-depth analysis of Marxist, Feminist, and Psychological theories and their applications to the study of Unseen Prose for English Literature A Level. ...
Unseen Prose 1880 - 1910
During the period of 1880 to 1910, England experienced a time of significant social, cultural, and
political change. This was a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization, as well as growing
class tensions and political polarization.
Industrialization and Urbanization: The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a major expansion
of industry and the growth of cities in England. This was driven by technological innovations such
as the widespread adoption of the steam engine and the growth of the railway network, which
allowed for the rapid transportation of goods and people. As a result of this growth, many people
moved from rural areas to cities in search of work, leading to the growth of urban areas and the
expansion of the urban working class.
Class Tensions: The growth of industry and urbanization led to significant social and economic
changes in England, including the rise of a large urban working class and growing class tensions.
Many working-class people lived in poverty, working long hours in dangerous and unhealthy
conditions, while a small minority of wealthy industrialists and landowners controlled much of the
country's wealth and power. These conditions gave rise to a growing labour movement, with
workers organizing themselves into trade unions and calling for better working conditions, higher
wages, and the right to vote.
Political Polarization: The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a growing political polarization
in England, with the formation of new political parties and the growth of political activism. The
Liberal Party was the dominant political force in England during this period, but the Labour
Party was established in 1906 as a more socialist alternative, and the Women's Suffrage
movement was also growing in strength. Meanwhile, the conservative wing of the Conservative
Party was growing more influential, and the issue of Irish Home Rule was also a major political
issue, with demands for Irish independence from British rule growing stronger.
Cultural Changes: The late 19th and early 20th centuries were also a time of significant cultural
change in England. This was a period of artistic and literary ferment, with the Arts and Crafts
movement, the Pre-Raphaelite movement, and the Decadent movement all flourishing. The British
Empire was at the height of its power during this period, and England was a leading centre of
technological and scientific innovation. At the same time, however, there was a growing sense of
cultural anxiety, with many people feeling that traditional values and ways of life were under
threat from the changes brought about by industrialization and urbanization.
Overall, the period of 1880 to 1910 was a time of major social, cultural, and political change in
England, with many of the developments and trends that took place during this time continuing to
shape the course of British history in the decades that followed.
Prominent writers E.M. Forster (1879-1970)
Bram Stoker (1847-1912)
W.B. Yeats (1865-1939)
Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)
Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930)
James Barrie (1860-1937)
H.G. Wells (1866-1946)
Kate Chopin (1851-1904)
Joseph Conrad (1857-1924)
Mark Twain (1835-1910)
George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930)
Henry James (1843-1916)
Timeline of Key Events:
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