Question

How did novels depict Victorian middle-class society?

a) As idyllic and perfect
b) As riddled with problems and imperfections
c) As predominantly rural and agricultural
d) As focused on aristocratic lifestyles

Answer 1

The correct answer is option b) As riddled with problems and imperfections.

Step-by-step explanation:

Novels during the Victorian era depicted middle-class society as riddled with problems and imperfections. Authors such as Charles Dickens used their literary works to paint realistic portraits of urban life, often highlighting the struggles of poor, working-class, and middle-class citizens. Dickens's novels, for instance, include detailed descriptions of impoverished neighborhoods and the difficult lives led by their inhabitants, thereby fostering social awareness and igniting change.

Similarly, novelists like Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Honoré de Balzac also focused on darker aspects of city life, such as crime and the challenges faced by the poor. In contrast, Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary tells the story of a woman's pursuit of consumer goods and urban pleasures, resulting in her downfall, while Kate Chopin explored women's stifling experiences with married life and social conventions. These writers used realism to critique the hypocrisies and social issues prevalent in their times, painting a picture far from idyllic.