Religion in Victorian England

The nineteenth century revolved around a revival of religious activity unmatched since Puritan times. The bible was taken as the literal truth and was the foundation of moral behavior which became known as "Victorianism". During this period, textbooks and games were based on religion and morality. It was believed that if religion be accepted by all, that morality would become the "end all" to crime and poverty.

While advancements in science and technology became the order of the day, religion began a down-hill slide. Its theory/belief remained strong until the middle of the century, when in 1859, Charles Darwin published his Evolution of the Species theory. Many, including the clergy, began to question the beliefs of the church.

Evangelical influences and the Oxford Movement did produce a surge of spirituality which helped to rebuild the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches. But toward the latter part of the century, most began to see religion as meaning little more than respectability. It did, however, remain the inspiration of writers, architects, painters and the social reformers of the period.

England under the reign of Victoria (1837-1901) was undisputedly Christian; very few families would have chosen not to visit church on Sundays, and Christians dominated public life. The period of Queen Victoria's reign was, however, a period of change. Over its 64-year span, life changed rapidly: industrialisation took hold and brought the development of the railway, thus widening people's horizons by effectively shrinking England. Scientific thinkers began to contemplate evolutionary theories and to question their implications and compatibility with a religion nearly two millennia old.

Religion in literature

Tennyson
England under the reign of Victoria (1837-1901) was undisputedly Christian; very few families would have chosen not to visit church on Sundays, and Christians dominated public life. The period of Queen Victoria's reign was, however, a period of change. Over its 64-year span, life changed rapidly: industrialisation took hold and brought the development of the railway, thus widening people's horizons by effectively shrinking England. Scientific thinkers began to contemplate evolutionary theories and to question their implications and compatibility with a religion nearly two millennia old. As Tennyson's work spanned almost the entire Victorian period, it is perhaps not surprising that the concepts of religion and faith feature heavily in his poetry - how, we can ask, did personal experience effect Tennyson's views on religion? And what can we make of the references to religion in Tennyson's poetry, both in isolation and as a body of work written by a man who undoubtedly suffered uncertainties about his own faith?

In referring broadly to Tennyson's own 'uncertainties', there is one formative experience that cannot be forgotten. Personal, as well as social, change forced the poet to question his religious beliefs. The unexpected death of Arthur Hallam (Tennyson's friend, mentor and sister's fiancé) in 1833 so shook Tennyson that he spent a considerable amount of time during the next seventeen years composing a poem of remembrance to his dead friend, In Memoriam A.H.H. This epic poem describes Tennyson's grief at Hallam's death, and was so popular that it is said that Queen Victoria kept a copy at her bedside next to her bible following the death of Prince Albert in 1861

There lives more faith in honest doubt,
Believe me, than in half the creeds.
- In Memoriam, Tennyson

Tennyson is questioning orthodox creeds. Importantly, Tennyson does not neglect faith - he only questions the validity of a faith which has not been doubted.

Shelley
While many people view Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” as a horror novel, I believe it has more of a religious background due to the insertion of “Paradise Lost” into the story. The story of God creating Adam is a popular topic in this story and I believe Shelly intended for “Frankenstein” to be an allegory for the story of creation. Many references are made to the apple, God and Satan so this is a very plausible idea.

“Paradise Lost” is an epic poem in blank verse written by John Milton in 1667. Milton incorporated Paganism, classical Greek references, and Christianity into the poem. There is also a large portion of history revolving around Genesis, the New Testament, the deuterocanonical Book of Enoch, and the Old Testament. Why would Mary Shelly put so much religion in a horror novel? The only option that makes sense is the fact that the characters in “Frankenstein” are mirror images of the characters in “Paradise Lost”.

In “Frankenstein” the monster finds the book on the ground and reads it to learn more about the world. He states, “ But ‘Paradise Lost’ excited different and far deeper emotions. I read it, as I had read other volumes which had fallen into my hands, as a true history” (Shelly 116). The monster compared himself to Adam and Satan and then compared Victor to God and realized he fit the role of Satan more than God. Victor plays the role of the creator, and is very successful in creating the creature as was God in creating Adam in “Paradise Lost”. Unlike God Victor is self centered and often only does things that benefit himself and no one else. It also represents the conflict between religion and science.