Hello, my name is Brenna Hemmings. I am a junior double-majoring in History and Sociology. I am taking this course because I would like to learn more about Victorian London. While I know that it yielded many important innovations that are still present today, I would like to become better acquainted with its writers and landscape. Dracula, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and Frankenstein frame the Victorian era as a Gothic time filled with suspense, otherworldly dangers, and dual natures.
After reading the article, I noticed that life in the Victorian era shares a crucial parallel to the Gilded Age in America: the rich enjoyed life’s luxuries by living off of the poor’s struggles. Even though the city expanded in transportation and became a culture hub, not everyone could afford to make a living. The construction of wider roads forced the clearing of slums.Overall, life during the Victorian era is romanticized and many individuals’ struggles are forgotten.
I liked your comparison of Victorian London to the Gilded Age in America. I also agree with your last sentence, a lot of times people would prefer to romanticize eras and ideas that had issues, rather than think about the downsides.
Hi Brenna,
Welcome to the class! I agree with Jasmine that your parallel between Victorian London and the Gilded Age is a good one. Good job also thinking about the role class, technology, transportation, and infrastructure play in creating London. One small note: technically, Frankenstein isn’t a Victorian text (it was published in 1818 and the Victorian period started in 1837), but it’s definitely Gothic and it certainly influenced Dracula and Dorian Gray! Good work!