Queen Victoria’s reign was known for its social progressiveness. There was a push to integrate both religion and morality, and as a result, politico-social reform came to focus. And while much of society was changing during the time, much of this change has been shown in the literature produced.

Many literary forms were introduced. The novel became very prominent. Authors such as Charles Dickens and the Brontë sisters held fast to this form of writing. The era also saw the rise of the prose, with Charles Dickens as its spearhead. He used prose to write books such as The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist, and A Christmas Carol. William Thackeray had a similar style, though he brought more satire in his works, thus showing societal ills in a more blunt light. The Brontë sisters contributed to the growing social phenomena by writing books from a woman’s perspective. Such books include Jane Eyre and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, which, according to scholars, was a way to voice their opinions in contemporary times.

Despite this, poetry remained a steadfast form of literature. Much of the poetry produced during this time had a very special interest in medieval literature. Alfred Tennyson was famous for this with his poem, Idylls of the King. Elizabeth Barrett Browning and her husband, Robert, were poets that communicated with each other through a series of passionate poems, detailing their love for one another.

Another popular form of literature was children’s literature. A unique form of art combining both the novel and the poem, children’s literature rose as a way to combat child labor during the period. Many writers brought forth the magic of childhood through these stories, including Lewis Carroll and Anna Sewell. Unfortunately, words weren’t enough to capture a child’s attention, so as a way to liven up literary works, publishers used illustrations. This was, in fact, one of the reasons why fairy tales became so popular.

Because the Victorian Age had given birth to a new age of reason and common sense, it’s only natural for writings in the sciences and arts to explode as well. A famous example of this was On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. This work contains the theory of evolution, which many Victorians took as a challenge to not only their beliefs but to the church itself. Other writers published their perspectives and theories about how politics should work. This includes the likes of Thomas Babington Macaulay and John Ruskin. Other writers such as Henry David Thoreau managed to spread their influences around the world.

The impact the Victorian era has made on in Western literature continues to be felt today. Contemporary ideas such as societal reform and human rights gave way to a new generation of writers whose works are studied even to this day. This has laid a foundation that future writers continued to build upon. More importantly, writers have also promoted the socio-political ethics that nurtured Victorian literature.