How are Poe's and Marx's and Hawthorne's literary works contributions to the Victorian Era?
Please post your answer, and we'll be glad to critique it.
can you give me some websites? I've been searching the web, but I couldn't find any good sites.
Those three writers were contemporaries in a way. Their life spans weren't exact, but close.
Poe: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Allan_Poe
Marx: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marx
Hawthorne: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_Hawthorne
Victorian Era: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_era
Be sure to read the external links and other references at the bottom of each of these webpages. You could also put each name into www.google.com and see if there are further, interesting, appropriate articles out there.
=)
To understand the contributions of Poe, Marx, and Hawthorne to the Victorian Era, we need to examine their literary works in relation to the cultural, social, and political context of the time. Here's how you can analyze their contributions:
1. Read and understand their works: Start by familiarizing yourself with the literary texts of Edgar Allan Poe, Karl Marx, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Read their books, poems, essays, or short stories to grasp the central themes, style, and techniques they employed.
2. Study the Victorian Era: Learn about the historical, cultural, and social aspects of the Victorian Era (1837-1901). Consider aspects such as industrialization, societal norms, class divides, technological advancements, scientific discoveries, religious beliefs, and gender roles. Understand the key characteristics of Victorian literature, such as moralism, realism, and the focus on social issues.
3. Analyze the themes and messages: Identify the common themes and messages present in the works of these authors. Consider the ways they addressed issues relevant to the Victorian Era, like morality, industrialization, capitalism, social class, gender roles, and the effects of progress on society.
4. Explore Poe's contributions: Edgar Allan Poe, although an American writer, had an influence on Victorian literature. His dark, psychological exploration of themes like death, horror, and the human psyche resonated with the anxieties and uncertainties of the time. His works, such as "The Fall of the House of Usher" or "The Tell-Tale Heart," challenged traditional moral values and explored the dark side of human nature.
5. Examine Marx's impact: Karl Marx, a German philosopher and economist, contributed to the Victorian Era through his socio-political theories. While not primarily known as a literary figure, his ideas and writings on capitalism, class struggle, and labor rights influenced many authors and intellectuals of the time. Marx's critique of the increasing social inequality and exploitation found in the Victorian society and his call for a more egalitarian society had a profound impact on the literary and intellectual discourse of the era.
6. Consider Hawthorne's influence: Nathaniel Hawthorne, an American writer, also contributed to the Victorian literary landscape with his exploration of moral dilemmas, sin, and guilt. His works, such as "The Scarlet Letter," delved into the complexities of human nature and brought attention to the tension between individual desires and societal expectations. Hawthorne's emphasis on moral introspection and psychological depth resonated with the Victorian readership, who were grappling with their own moral and societal challenges.
By analyzing the themes, concepts, and social criticisms presented in the works of Poe, Marx, and Hawthorne, we can better understand their contributions to the Victorian Era. Remember to cite specific examples from their works to support your analysis.