Final answer:
Victorian England was characterized by severe poverty and difficult living conditions, especially for the working class. Charles Dickens and William Blake criticized the industrial advancements that led to 'satanic mills' and immense urban squalor, while laws to protect workers lagged behind those for animals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Victorian England was a period marked by stark contrasts between its outward appearance and the grim reality of life for the working class and the poor. This era witnessed the rapid industrialization, epitomized by William Blake's reference to factories as “satanic mills.” Similarly, Charles Dickens' works, including Hard Times and Oliver Twist, drew inspiration from the tough urban conditions and served as a commentary on the widespread poverty and difficult living situations experienced by many during that time.
Dorothy and William, two figures from the period, were part of the 'genteel poor,' struggling to maintain a standard of living expected of their social rank, despite dwindling resources. Actual living conditions for the laboring populace often deteriorated in industrial regions throughout much of the century, driven by static real wages and cruel work environments. Even as laws emerged to protect horses, it took longer for the government to safeguard the welfare of children toiling in mines and factories.
The urban poor lived in grossly inadequate and overcrowded housing, faced perpetual threats of fire in their cramped wooden dwellings, and bore the burden of diseases exacerbated by polluted air and water. Assistance for those in distress was scant, and social security nets were virtually nonexistent. The situation was such that many young laborers weakened from malnutrition and lack of work, succumbing early to the harsh conditions of the times.
Victorian ideology promoted an image of social progress and refinement, yet the lived experiences of many were rife with hardship. Alcoholism and drug use became more prevalent as coping mechanisms against the demanding urban lifestyle, and authors of the era often critiqued the stark social inequality and hypocrisy of the societal elite. The literature of this period not only reflects the societal conditions but also acts as a historical record of the struggles faced by the poor.