The Victorian era is well known of industrial revolution in Britain. Victorian era is the greatest era for Britain Monarchy. It is defined in 1837-1901 when Victoria of the United Kingdom reigned. The Victorian society divided into three, they are upper class, middle class and the walking poorer class.
The Victorian upper class consisted of the aristocrat nobles, dukes, and wealthy families working in the Victorian court. This class consisted of two percent top of the population, who were born into nobility and who own the majority of the land. This upper class was in a powerful position who gave them authority, better living condition and other facilities. Many aristocrats did not work as four centuries together their families because they had been gathering enough money for each generation to live a luxurious life. However, there were aristocrats who manage large industry like mining or shipping, and etc. In terms of education aristocrats got the best tutors of provide education. They also represented the royal class who gave this people an advantage at everything.
The middle class consisted of the bourgeoisie (the middle working class). It included the factory owners, bankers, shopkeepers, merchants, lawyers, engineers, businessmen, and others professionals. The difference between being a member of the upper class and the middle class was the amount of wealth you had gather and how it was flaunted. In the industrial revolution in the mid-century of era changes the standard of living in the Victorian middle class people. This revolution opened more job opportunities and earn a decent living. As a result, It gave a positive impact on the education of children.
The British lower class was divided into two sections: the working class labourers and the poor: (those who were not working regularly, and were receiving public charity). The working class performed many types of labor including factory work, mining, and other job.
In our discussion there are three contexts that included in ideal husband play, they are social corruption, marriage, and materialism.
- Social corruption
In ideal husband play the social corruption described in sir Robert scandals when he was young in had a power in a department. He did it because he wanted to marry lady Chiltern who was in upper class or aristocrats. Sir Robert wanted to marry her because he wanted a good public image as well. Then till one day came, Mrs.Cheveley who knew the scandals of Sir Robert and she wanted to open up all the scandals, but sir Robert kept the scandals hidden from his wife Lady Chiltern.
- Marriage
In this era and also in the context of ideal husband play was telling about men and women rules. Men and women roles became more sharply defined than at any time in history started from marriage and sexuality to education and right. In the 19 century men commonly worked in factory, shop, or office. However, wives, daughters, and sisters were left at home all day to oversee the domestic duties. In this era women were also known as educating women. They had to get a new kind of education for instance dancing, cooking, singing and so on to prepare them for this role of an “angel in the house”. This case was represented by lady Chiltern who stayed at home all day while his husband sir Robert worked in office (department) to fulfil his life necessary.
- Materialism
The writer of the play Oscar Wilde regularly criticized the materialistic values of his characters for instance sir Robert scandals in department. He did corruption in order to marry Lady Chiltern who was in upper class while he was in lower class than her. He did many things to make his dream came true of having an upper class wife and good public image. While from Lady Chiltern materialism values are more obscure. Yet materialistic character of Lady Chiltern described in her dedication to protect her husband public image which are already built up such kind of thing. This dedication helped Sir Robert to stay in English’s politician.
References:
Rafidah Aprilisti
Fatma Rahayu N
Fatimatuzzahroh
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