Introduction

The Victorian novel, a pivotal genre during Queen Victoria's reign from 1837 to 1901,
offers a fascinating insight into the societal changes and cultural dynamics of the time.
This unit aims to explore the characteristics of the Victorian novel, focusing on its
emergence as a dominant literary form, reflecting the period's complex social,
economic, and moral landscape. In the context of teaching English as a Foreign
Language (EFL) in Catalonia, we'll examine how the Victorian novel can be integrated
into the classroom, connecting historical contexts with contemporary learning
environments.

Body
Historical Background
 The Victorian era is marked by significant historical events, with Queen
Victoria's monarchy symbolizing stability and moral rectitude. This period
witnessed the Industrial Revolution's transformational impact on society,
shifting demographics, and the emergence of the middle class.
 Key events include the expansion of the electoral system, the Opium Wars, the
establishment of the British Police Force, and significant public health and
factory acts, all reflecting a society in transition.
Victorian Novel: Main Features
 Transitioning from Romanticism, the Victorian novel is characterized by its
length, detailed plots, and serial publication. It mirrors societal shifts,
portraying characters from various social strata and incorporating themes of
morality, industrialization, and class conflict.
 Authors like Charles Dickens, William Thackeray, George Eliot, and the Brontë
sisters used their narratives to critique societal norms, offering insights into
the era's social issues and cultural dynamics.
Applications in the ELT Classroom in Catalonia
 Integrating Victorian novels into the EFL curriculum can enhance students'
understanding of historical and cultural contexts, enriching their language
learning experience.
 Activities could include analyzing character development, exploring historical
contexts, and drawing parallels between the Victorian era and contemporary
issues.
 Cross-curricular connections can be made with social sciences, exploring the
Industrial Revolution's impact, or with ethics and values education, discussing
themes like morality and social justice.
 Literary analysis can also be linked to local Catalan literature, drawing
comparisons between the realism in Victorian novels and Catalan realist
authors, fostering a deeper appreciation of literary styles and themes.
Conclusion
The Victorian novel is more than a historical artifact; it's a lens through which we can
explore the complexities of a transformative era. In the EFL classroom, these novels
serve not only to enhance language proficiency but also to foster critical thinking,
cultural awareness, and a deeper understanding of the human experience. By
integrating the Victorian novel into our teaching practices, we provide students with a
rich, interdisciplinary learning experience that bridges past and present, literature and
life.

Introduction:
  Brief overview of the Victorian novel.
 Aims of the unit.
 Realist approach in depicting everyday life in Victorian literature.
 Contextualizing the study within the framework of teaching English as a foreign
language (FLE) in Catalonia.

Body:

1. Historical Background:
 Key historical events during the Victorian era.
 Focus on events relevant to the topic: Monarchy under Queen Victoria,
societal morality, women's roles, industrialization, child labor, reforms,
technological advancements, etc.
2. Main Features of the Victorian Novel:
 Transition from Romanticism to Victorian literature.
 Characteristics of Victorian novels: length, plot-heavy, serialized
publication, settings reflecting characters' personalities, upper-middle-
class characters, etc.
 Realist approach in portraying everyday life experiences and societal
changes.
3. Prominent Victorian Novelists:
 Charles Dickens: Overview of his life, major themes, and notable works.
 William Thackeray: Background, writing style, notable works.
 George Eliot: Biography, feminist approach, significant works.
 Thomas Hardy: Background, themes, criticism of Victorian society in his
works.
 Brontë sisters: Overview of Anne, Charlotte, and Emily Brontë, major
works, and their contributions to Victorian literature.
 Elizabeth Gaskell: Brief biography and contributions to Victorian
literature.
4. Theatre and Children's Literature in the Victorian Era:
 Overview of theatrical works and significant playwrights.
 Emergence of literature for children and its impact on Victorian society.
 Notable authors and their contributions to children's literature.
5. Supernatural and Fantastic Literature:
 Introduction to gothic literature and its characteristics.
 Exploration of supernatural and fantastic elements in Victorian
literature.
 Mention of penny dreadfuls and their influence on popular culture.
6. Applications in ELT Classrooms in Catalonia:
 Integration with the Catalan curriculum: literary analysis, cross-
curricular connections.
 Incorporating historical events and societal themes into language
lessons.
 Exploring themes of feminism, social change, and morality in Victorian
literature.
  Utilizing literary works for language learning, critical thinking, and
cultural awareness.

Conclusion:

 Recap of the significance of Victorian literature in understanding culture and

society.
 Reflection on the relevance of studying Victorian novels in ELT classrooms.
 Emphasis on the interdisciplinary nature of literature and its impact on
language education.

FLASHCARDS
1. Realist Approach in Victorian Literature
 Definition: Realist authors depicted everyday and banal activities and
experiences, reflecting changes in society.
 Significance: Contrast with romanticized presentations, provides insight
into Victorian life and values.
2. Historical Background of the Victorian Era
 Queen Victoria's Reign: (1837–1901), longest reigning monarch, moral
and family values.
 Industrialization: Impact on society, urbanization, child labor, reforms.
 Social Morality: Rigid prejudices, puritan values, role of women.
3. Main Features of Victorian Novels
 Length: Novels tend to be long and plot-heavy.
 Serialized Publication: Often published in serial form in magazines.
 Realist Portrayal: Depiction of everyday life experiences, societal
changes.
 Upper-Middle-Class Characters: Reflecting the society of the time.
4. Prominent Victorian Novelists
 Charles Dickens: Known for social commentary, notable works include
"Great Expectations" and "Oliver Twist."
 William Thackeray: Satirical view of characters, famous for "Vanity Fair."
 George Eliot: Realist writer, feminist approach, famous for
"Middlemarch."
 Brontë Sisters: Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë, notable works include
"Jane Eyre" and "Wuthering Heights."
 Thomas Hardy: Critic of Victorian society, known for "Tess of the
d'Urbervilles" and "Far From the Madding Crowd."
5. Theatre and Children's Literature in the Victorian Era
 Theatre: Emergence of significant playwrights like George Bernard Shaw
and Oscar Wilde.
 Children's Literature: Growth industry, introduction of compulsory
education, works by Lewis Carroll, R.M. Ballantyne, and Anna Sewell.
6. Supernatural and Fantastic Literature
 Gothic Literature: Combines romance and horror, notable works include
"Dracula" and "The Picture of Dorian Gray."
 Penny Dreadfuls: Short stories about supernatural topics, influenced
popular culture.
7. Applications in ELT Classrooms in Catalonia
 Integration with Curriculum: Literary analysis, cross-curricular
connections.
 Language Learning: Utilizing Victorian literature for language
acquisition.
 Societal Themes: Exploring feminism, social change, morality.
 Interdisciplinary Approach: Incorporating literature into various
subjects.
8. Victorian Society and Morality
 Overview: Society characterized by rigid morals, discipline, and class
distinctions.
 Role of Women: Limited to domestic roles, societal expectations and
restrictions.
 Industrialization's Impact: Rise of urbanization, factory work, and child
labor.
9. Themes in Victorian Literature
 Social Class: Exploration of the divide between the rich and the poor.
 Morality and Hypocrisy: Critique of societal norms and moral values.
 Industrialization and Its Consequences: Examination of the effects of
rapid urbanization and technological advancements.
10. Charles Dickens's Works and Themes
 "Great Expectations": Themes of ambition, social class, and redemption.
 "Oliver Twist": Critique of social injustice, poverty, and exploitation.
 "A Tale of Two Cities": Exploration of sacrifice, love, and the French
Revolution.
11. George Eliot's Contributions
 "Middlemarch": Epic portrayal of provincial life, marriage, and societal
change.
 Feminist Themes: Empowerment of female characters, challenges to
societal norms.
 Realism and Psychological Depth: Detailed character studies and moral
dilemmas.
12. Brontë Sisters' Novels
 "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë: Bildungsroman exploring love,
independence, and societal expectations.
 "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë: Gothic romance set on the
Yorkshire moors, themes of passion and revenge.
 "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" by Anne Brontë: Feminist novel challenging
marital norms and women's rights.
13. Literary Techniques in Victorian Literature
 Symbolism: Use of symbols to convey deeper meanings and themes.
 Foreshadowing: Hinting at future events to build tension and suspense.
 Irony: Employed to critique societal norms and behaviors.
14. Influence of Victorian Literature on Modern Culture
 Film Adaptations: Numerous movies based on Victorian novels,
showcasing enduring popularity.
 Literary Legacy: Continued influence on contemporary literature,
themes, and storytelling techniques.
 Cultural Impact: Reflection of Victorian values and societal concerns in
modern discourse.
15. Teaching Victorian Literature in ELT Classrooms
 Engaging Activities: Role-plays, debates, and creative writing exercises.
 Historical Context: Providing background knowledge to enhance
understanding.
 Multimodal Learning: Incorporating visual aids, audio clips, and
interactive resources.
 Critical Analysis: Encouraging students to analyze themes, characters,
and societal issues portrayed in Victorian novels.