The Rebellion Against Victoria
The Rebellion Against VictoriaThe 1890's was in time for transformation for the English society.
After Queen Victoria died the heart of the Victorian culture seemed to
fade. England was beginning to experience economic competition from
other states and a gradual decline from its former pinnacle of power.
Politically, the Parliament experienced some fundamental power shifts
after the turn of the century. This essay will address the climate of
change in the English culture and its expressions. The changes occurred
in two separate and distinct time periods. These time periods are the
turn of the century from 1890's to World War II. The second period is
WWII to 1970's.
The new century brought about an end to the old and stuffy
Victorian life-styles. The social stigmas of women and their behavior
was challenged and change by the rise of feminism in 1910. Women began
to protest against the system for women 's suffrage. One instance these
"violent women" ran around in the city smashing store windows to get
notoriety for their cause. Books such as the Odd Women, featured a
fictional representation of "professional women". They were classified
in two categories, both an attack on the social institution of
marriage. The first of these new women were out only for fun. The
second was the concept of an asexual being who did not need a man.
These women owned their own flats and had various jobs usually
secretarial in nature.. The book expressed an uncomfortable period of
transformation. Working women were not completely accepted by English
society at this time. The book portrayed different lives and how they
coped with their situations.1
The male character was also in a state of change. This change
brought about the term "new men". These new men were classified by a
"sexual anarchy". This movement was predominantly a middle class,
liberal expression. Many were young male artisans who were homosexual .
The word homosexuality was created by an amendment to criminal law
which had declared all acts of sodomy as illegal. Previous to this
amendment the act of homosexuality was punishable by hanging. Doctors
and scientist had seen homosexuality as a disease, thus the need
developed for a "cure". Sexuality became all inclusive.
There was a large aesthetic movement which was also inherent in
this "new" culture. This movement classified art as being done for
art's sake. Art was now being viewed as separate from society. This
meant that art could be a personal expression rather than a group think
project. These attributes coined the term the "Decadent Movement".
The England was experiencing tremendous growth in its economy
and political change during this...
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