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[[ENG 463|ENG 4Image:Example.jpg63: The Victorian Period]]

May 22,1850- July 7,1930
May 22,1850- July 7,1930 [1]


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Contents

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Traditional Beliefs

1 of 7 surviving children of Mary and Charles Doyle, Arthur Conan Doyle came into existence in Picardy Place, Edinburgh Scotland. Charles Doyle was an alcoholic civil servant who became institutionalized and died there after. Both Mary and Charles were Roman Catholics as was Conan in his early life. Conan eventually abandoned Catholicism and became a fervent supported of Spiritualism. Spiritualism has two basic beliefs “the continuity of personality and the powers of communication after death. It teaches that death works no miracle, that it is a new birth into a spiritual body, the counterpart of the physical which is gifted with new powers” [2] Scotland traditionally has a population that is either Roman Catholic or a followers of the Church of Scotland, Conan was in a unique position because of his notoriety as a writer allowed him to propagate the beliefs of Spiritualism. [3]


Because of Doyle's non mainstream beliefs he was constantly defending himself and his beliefs. This article shows that even after his death people were still attacking what he believed in, and not being around to defend himself his wife does so with just as much passion as her husband
Because of Doyle's non mainstream beliefs he was constantly defending himself and his beliefs. This article shows that even after his death people were still attacking what he believed in, and not being around to defend himself his wife does so with just as much passion as her husband [4]



Interesting articles

Sir Aurthur Conan Doyle asked to be a medium. [21]




Political Cartoon from the magazine Punch showing a day dreaming Doyle with his head in the clouds chained to his famous character Shelock Holmes [20]
Political Cartoon from the magazine Punch showing a day dreaming Doyle with his head in the clouds chained to his famous character Shelock Holmes [20]






















Working Life

Joseph Wright's Iron Forge Viewed from Without 1771. Joseph Wrights work in these two paintings represent a very dark and grimy view of some skilled tradesmen. Although these people were better off then the common laborer they by no means had a easy or comfortable life. They like unskilled laborers did very intense physically work all day long and the effects of this physical labor was very apparent in both there physical appearance and age until which they can work.
Joseph Wright's Iron Forge Viewed from Without 1771. Joseph Wrights work in these two paintings represent a very dark and grimy view of some skilled tradesmen. Although these people were better off then the common laborer they by no means had a easy or comfortable life. They like unskilled laborers did very intense physically work all day long and the effects of this physical labor was very apparent in both there physical appearance and age until which they can work. [5]



Excerpt from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Red Headed League. Laborers usually were easily identifiable considering the nature of their work and the physical effect it had on their bodies. IN this excerpt Homes identifies this man as a laborer because of his two different hand sizes.
Excerpt from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Red Headed League. Laborers usually were easily identifiable considering the nature of their work and the physical effect it had on their bodies. IN this excerpt Homes identifies this man as a laborer because of his two different hand sizes.[6]
Although Doyle was not himself a part of the working class he did have numerous characters who were. Being a part of the working
Ariel view of industrial area of england in 1850. When factory work became an major part of employment for the working class the area directly surrounding the factories became highly developed with very dirty, poorly ventilated , closely placed housing for the workers. The living conditions in these areas was less then desirable. Usually with an entire family living in one room and everywhere was littered with every kind of filth imaginable, including human waste.
Ariel view of industrial area of england in 1850. When factory work became an major part of employment for the working class the area directly surrounding the factories became highly developed with very dirty, poorly ventilated , closely placed housing for the workers. The living conditions in these areas was less then desirable. Usually with an entire family living in one room and everywhere was littered with every kind of filth imaginable, including human waste.[7]
class meant intense physical labor and a complete dependence on ones own physical condition for income. Men had the most physically demanding jobs and as a direct result usually had relatively short working lifespan. As if the working class didn't have enough troubles they also had to deal with government regulated vaccines that seemed to do more harm then good. The way in which these vaccinations were administered was not the most hygienic or attractive. The administrator would cut deep angled patterns into the patients forearm and spread the "lymph" into the open wound. The wound would be left to heal on its own and while doing so would form grotesque blisters that could often become infected. When this was done with children they were required to return 8 weeks later and the administrator would then get some of the "lymph" from the blisters that formed and place that directly into another child's arm. Not only was this a unsafe medical practice but it also left many of those who got the vaccine with horrible scars that were highly visible at the vaccination site. In addition to the physical damage that was done, many of those children who received the vaccine were malnourished which made it difficult for their bodies to recover from the wound of the vaccine. Some believed that this type of program was more to physically brand the working class people than to protect them from diseases.




Joseph Wright's Blacksmith's Shop 1773. Like in the other painting this is a very dark grim portrate of a working man's job. These blacksmith are working in almost pitch black with nothing but the hot iron and gloomy moon to light their workspace. Even though they worked in poor conditions like these they usually made a bit more money then the common laborer because they knew a trade and maybe eventually could create their own business.
Joseph Wright's Blacksmith's Shop 1773. Like in the other painting this is a very dark grim portrate of a working man's job. These blacksmith are working in almost pitch black with nothing but the hot iron and gloomy moon to light their workspace. Even though they worked in poor conditions like these they usually made a bit more money then the common laborer because they knew a trade and maybe eventually could create their own business. [8]















































Science and the Urban World

From New York to the North Pole. More powerful ships were able to be constructed of lighter steel and had more power with steam engines then ever before. Here a shipping company advertises its ability to go from New York to the North Pole
From New York to the North Pole. More powerful ships were able to be constructed of lighter steel and had more power with steam engines then ever before. Here a shipping company advertises its ability to go from New York to the North Pole [9]
With the growing number of railroads there was an increased demand for equipment needed to maintain the railroads. This snowplow is designed to clear the rails of snow and ice to enable a solid connection between the train and the track
With the growing number of railroads there was an increased demand for equipment needed to maintain the railroads. This snowplow is designed to clear the rails of snow and ice to enable a solid connection between the train and the track [10]


A patent that outlines a improved method of constructing sewers drains that would prevent the "accumulation of large quantities of offensive matters"
A patent that outlines a improved method of constructing sewers drains that would prevent the "accumulation of large quantities of offensive matters" [11]
Here is a diagram for an iceboat that has a ski like bottom and also two huge wheels with spikes which would enable the craft to both drive with the skis and or the spiked wheels for better traction
Here is a diagram for an iceboat that has a ski like bottom and also two huge wheels with spikes which would enable the craft to both drive with the skis and or the spiked wheels for better traction [12]

Some of the greatest inventions in the Victorian era dealt with travel. As technology advanced more and more people had the ability to travel further for cheaper then ever before. This growth of more efficient means of travel allowed those people who lived near these travel centers were able to hop on a train or boat and travel farther then most of them had ever dreamed possible. The ease of transportation also led to a drastic increase in the import and export of commercial goods. This increase also led these cities to become not only hot spots for travelers but also created meccas of commerce.

truly the age of innovative travel, here a Professor has the idea to travel across the Atlantic in a hot air balloon. Although it may sound skeptical the author makes a good point that just a few years prior people thought it was near impossible for people to do the same thing in a boat, which is now commonplace.
truly the age of innovative travel, here a Professor has the idea to travel across the Atlantic in a hot air balloon. Although it may sound skeptical the author makes a good point that just a few years prior people thought it was near impossible for people to do the same thing in a boat, which is now commonplace. [13]


Women building a railroad track.
Women building a railroad track. [14]









































































































Government and the Law

It was during the Victorian period that the government began to take a more active and direct part in the lives of the everyday laborer. Government institutions were created for the poor and those who where unable to take care of themselves or their family. This is just one example of the expansion of the government with a direct influence on peoples life. Prior to this time the majority of the laboring class had no direct relationship with the government. They didn't have any worthwhile welfare or social reform programs. Through institutions people began to actually see and experience the effect that the government could have on their own life. This was not necessarily a positive thing. Most of the institutions were created and run on the ideal that they should be as miserable as possible to discourage people from using them. This was a very effective method and people did whatever they could do to stay away from them.

House, Food, and Clothes

[15]

The task of preparing and cooking meals in Victorian England was one of the more time consuming daily responsibilities for the working class. A lack of safe storage techniques for foods meant that food had to be prepared and consumed in smaller quantities because most people had no way to store food for any amount of time. The diet of most working class people was very poor consisting mainly of bread and potatoes with an occasional bit of meat that was generally reserved for the boys and men who relied on their physical condition to provide for the family. Many upper class families also practiced tea time. Tea time was the result of well to do wives inviting their friends over to their house for finger foods such as cakes and small sandwiches as well as tea to socialize and have something to do during the day. Tea parties became very elaborate social events with very rigid and strict do's and dont's concerning everything including what clothes to wear, how to take your tea, and what topics are appropriate for discussion.

Mitchell mentions this written by Eliza Acton about obtaining and cooking food.
Mitchell mentions this written by Eliza Acton about obtaining and cooking food. [16]
The elaborate dress and hat were an important feature in Victorian Tea parties. Also note the way she is holding the tea cup, virtually every aspect of a tea party was defined with things a lady could or couldn't do.
The elaborate dress and hat were an important feature in Victorian Tea parties. Also note the way she is holding the tea cup, virtually every aspect of a tea party was defined with things a lady could or couldn't do. [17]
This except for A Duet is an example of the differences between how food is viewed now and how it was viewed during the Victorian time. The character mentions that he received a gift of fish slice which would have been a rare meal unless you happened to live on the coast line. Also the fact that both people have a piece of fish also shows the scarcity of the meat. Later refrigeration as well as rail roads allowed food to be transported in a timely fashion. Fish, as well as most foods in general, are so readily available in this country that people no longer give then as presents. There are exceptions of course but for the most part if food is given as a gift today it is usually a desert type dish or a very rare delicacy.
This except for A Duet is an example of the differences between how food is viewed now and how it was viewed during the Victorian time. The character mentions that he received a gift of fish slice which would have been a rare meal unless you happened to live on the coast line. Also the fact that both people have a piece of fish also shows the scarcity of the meat. Later refrigeration as well as rail roads allowed food to be transported in a timely fashion. Fish, as well as most foods in general, are so readily available in this country that people no longer give then as presents. There are exceptions of course but for the most part if food is given as a gift today it is usually a desert type dish or a very rare delicacy. [18]



























Family and Social Rituals

One of the hundreds of guidebooks to come out of the Victorian period, in this one entitle Martin's Book of Etiquette. the author instructs the gentleman on how to dance while attending a ball. Do not kick and caper about, nor sway your body to and fro; dance only from the hips downwards.
One of the hundreds of guidebooks to come out of the Victorian period, in this one entitle Martin's Book of Etiquette. the author instructs the gentleman on how to dance while attending a ball. Do not kick and caper about, nor sway your body to and fro; dance only from the hips downwards. [19]
This is an except from The Stark Munro Letters in which a seasoned doctor has just exposed himself to be a nonconformist to the medical systems strict etiquette. The character could possibly represent Doyle to a certain extent considering his background in the medical profession. Almost every part of Victorian society was very strict and one had to be very careful not to make embarrassing social errors, this character is a response to that great pressure.
This is an except from The Stark Munro Letters in which a seasoned doctor has just exposed himself to be a nonconformist to the medical systems strict etiquette. The character could possibly represent Doyle to a certain extent considering his background in the medical profession. Almost every part of Victorian society was very strict and one had to be very careful not to make embarrassing social errors, this character is a response to that great pressure. [20]


Social etiquette was very important to the upper classes in Victorian society and there was no better place to see this in action then in the Victorian Ballroom. Here society was on its strictest behavior. The women were to behavior very passively which was quite contrast to the liveliness of the men. A man who knew how to dance and refused to do so was expected to leave or not attend at all. If a couple came together they were expected to have the first dance with each other but then they were expected to mingle and socialize with others at the ball. This was especially true of married couples. Women generally did not refuse dances when asked but if they did they were not supposed to accept another gentleman's offer to dance until the next song. The dress was also very formal for this occasion. Both gentlemen and ladies dressed in their finest attire. Women also could have accessories such as fans which could be used to send signals to potential gentlemen callers. A fan end that was placed near the mouth meant that she wanted a kiss, if the lady had the fan in her left hand and twirled it about it was a signal that she was ready to be done with the man she was talking to. [21]












Education

A picture of an all girls classroom. Girls were not usually found in the classroom and were not allowed in almost any secondary education establishment until very late in the period.
A picture of an all girls classroom. Girls were not usually found in the classroom and were not allowed in almost any secondary education establishment until very late in the period. [22]

For those children who went to school they experienced a different style of learning then children do today. The physical space that they engaged in learning was usually a singular room where all the age groups were taught. Also children advanced on a strictly performance basis. If the child didn't learn what they needed to then they wouldn't pass. Government run schools developed a program to give teachers incentive to teach their students by basing the amount of funding that the school and its staff received from the government was based on the performance of their children. This is a precursor to the teaching to the test style of teaching that many present day teachers have adopted because the shift is no longer on learning rather it emphasizes results.

It was not known that children learned at different paces during the Victorian era. The Dunce cap was used to punish those who did not keep up with the class or acted out.
It was not known that children learned at different paces during the Victorian era. The Dunce cap was used to punish those who did not keep up with the class or acted out. [23]

































Health and Medicine

A warning to all those who lived in Cholera districts. The flyer told them some homemade remedies for the illness if medical attention was not in the area.
A warning to all those who lived in Cholera districts. The flyer told them some homemade remedies for the illness if medical attention was not in the area. [24]

Health was a constant issue during the Victorian Period and a lot of that was do to poor sanitary conditions within urban centers. With so many people living and working in such confined spaces with no access to proper means of deposing of human waste much of the waste was simply removed from inside the home and dumped anywhere close by. This made disease and illness very easy to catch and a breeding ground for bacteria. Many Medicines that were available over the counter where simply nothing more then high parts of alcohol or opium or some other intoxicating substance. "Cure alls" were very popular because they were intoxicating and after someone drank it they would simply not feel the symptoms any longer and believe that they were better. Conan Doyle practiced Medicine and used his medical background in a number of his novels.

Cartoon making fun of the high death rate surrounding doctors during the Period. Conan Doyle was himself in Medicine before he started writing books.
Cartoon making fun of the high death rate surrounding doctors during the Period. Conan Doyle was himself in Medicine before he started writing books.










































Cartoon showing the highly unsanitary practice of dumping human waste in close quarters. THe removal of human waste was a major turning point during the Victorian period.
Cartoon showing the highly unsanitary practice of dumping human waste in close quarters. THe removal of human waste was a major turning point during the Victorian period.









Holidays, Sports, and Recreation

Penny farthings were a popular recreational hobby for men of the upper middle class. This is a steam powered Penny Farthing.
Penny farthings were a popular recreational hobby for men of the upper middle class. This is a steam powered Penny Farthing.[25]

Much of Victorian recreational activities involved family members entertaining each other. Singing, reading and music where popular family pastimes. For those who where a bit more well to do games such as tennis and golf were popular. Cycling began to become a very popular activity for both men and women.

Bicycles became widely used amoungst men and women for recreation. Womens bikes where designed to protect their long dresses from getting caught in the chains with a device that came on "saftey bikes".
Bicycles became widely used amoungst men and women for recreation. Womens bikes where designed to protect their long dresses from getting caught in the chains with a device that came on "saftey bikes".


























Religion and Reform

The majority of Victorians where members of the church of England. There were however movements and religions that contradicted the beliefs of the majority. The Evangelical Movement within the Church of England is an example of internal reform that was inspired by dissatisfaction amount its members. Other less popular movements included the Tractarian and Ritualistic movements. Roman Catholicism a more common religion. Some less popular belief systems where Unitarianism, Boehme, Occultism and Spiritualism. Conan Doyle himself was a spiritualist and this was always something that distinguished him from other writers of his time. He was very unapologetic and open about his unpopular believes no matter how much he was ridiculed by his comrades.




Morality

Victorians had different ideas about what made a person a good person. Victorians really emphasized the importance of work and how important work was to a persons reputation. Nobody that was idle was ever glorified in the publics eye. In many ways the people of the working class were the most respected because they were the ones who did the most intense physical labor. Even people of the upper class were expected to do something productive with their time, like volunteering to help the poor. Victorians would not agree with our culture that emphasizes the product rather then the process.

References

  1. ↑ Google Image Search. Jan 20th. [1]
  2. ↑ Nandor Fodor. Encyclopedia of Psychic Science. Jan 25th. http://www.spiritwritings.com/fodors.html#SPIRITUALISM, [2]
  3. ↑ Simanek, Donald. Arthur Conan Doyle, Spiritualism and Fairies. [3] Jan 27, 2007
  4. ↑ Lady Doyle Calls Hylan a ‘Black Sheep’; Classes Him With Scoffers at Progress. New York Times (1857-Current file); Apr 21, 1923; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851-2001) [4]
  5. ↑ Artstor. Iron Forge Viewed from Without 1771 The Image Gallery. University of San Diego California. Artstor
  6. ↑ Google Book Search. The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes. The Red Headed Leadue. Pg 31.[http://books.google.com/books?vid=OCLC02541507&id=V7mew3nPQn4C&pg=PA29&lpg=PA29&dq=the+red+headed+league+inauthor:conan+inauthor:doyle+date:1837-1901#PPA31,M1
  7. ↑ Artstor. Industrial Revolution Circa 1850. The Image Gallery. University of San Diego California. Artstor
  8. ↑ Artstor. Blacksmith's Shop 1734 The Image Gallery. University of San Diego California. Artstor
  9. ↑ Artstor. To the North Pole The Image Gallery. University of San Diego California. Artstor
  10. ↑ Google Patent. Inventor, LTJTHEB J. WOODBUFF Improvement in Snow-Plows and Rail Cleaners May 9, 1871. Patent #114633 [5]
  11. ↑ Google Patent. Inventor, ALFBED H. XTEWELL Improvement in Sewer-Traps and Catch Basins Dec 26, 1871. Patent #122209 [6]
  12. ↑ Google Patent. Inventor, THADDEUS CHAPXN Boat for traveling on ice Sep 14, 1838. Patent #919 [7]
  13. ↑ Over sea by Balloon. New York Times (1857-Current file); June 9, 1873: ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times 1851-2003 pg. 4 [8]
  14. ↑ Artstor. Women Rail Workers Baltimore and Ohio Rail Company. The Image Gallery. University of San Diego California. Artstor
  15. ↑ Cartoon Stock. "Victorian Fast Food" [9]
  16. ↑ Moes Books. March/20/2007. [10]
  17. ↑ Victorian Tea Lady. March/20/2007. [11]
  18. ↑ Google Books. A Duet by Conan Doyle. [12]
  19. ↑ Google Book. HS treasures. March/20/2007. [13]
  20. ↑ Google Book Search. The Stark Munro Letters. The Works of A. Conan Doyle. March 20/2007 [14]
  21. ↑ The Etiquette of the Ballroom. [15]
  22. ↑ Nettleworth Primary School. May/2007. [16]
  23. ↑ Nettleworth Primary School. May/2007. [17]
  24. ↑ Blewa. May/2007. [18]
  25. ↑ Brass Goggles. May/2007. [19]
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