Final answer:
The Victorian era was characterized by a mix of genuine scientific progress in areas like medicine and biology alongside the growth of pseudo-sciences such as phrenology. The time was marked by strict morals juxtaposed with increased substance abuse, highlighted in contemporary literature. Additionally, this was the beginning of the mass culture made possible by advances in industrialization.
Step-by-step explanation:
One interesting fact about the Victorian era is the dichotomy between scientific progress and the rise of pseudo-sciences. While the period saw significant advances in medicine and biology, it was also marked by the popularity of unscientific practices that claimed to be scientific. For instance, this was a time when phrenology, the study of skull shapes to determine mental traits, was considered a legitimate science by many, despite its lack of scientific evidence and methodological rigor.
Victorian culture also reflected fascinating contrasts in behavior and ethics, known as Victorianism, after Queen Victoria, who reigned during much of this era of great power and imperialism. The cultural norms at the time were steeped in strict discipline and morality, yet behind this façade, there was an increase in alcoholism, drug use, such as the casual consumption of ether and even cocaine, which was seen as a medicinal substance. These contradictions were often highlighted in the literature of the time, which critiqued the hypocrisy of social elites.
The era saw the beginning of mass culture, with significant shifts towards industrialization and mass production, leading to cheaper material goods and the rise of consumerism. Newspapers and periodicals became more widely spread thanks to the industrial technology, and this surge in availability and accessibility of information helped to shape the modern, industrialized society of the time.