I've got to write an essay in which I explain how the social, historical, political, and religious events of the time period affected literature of that era and tell how the literature reflects what is going on in Britain during that time...

I chose the Victorian Era.

Politically, there was good leadership with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. They restored the public's opinion of monarchy. also, their national pride and optimism encouraged change.

Historically, there was rapid growth of the British Empire. This presented Britain with a lot to write about. Britain became the most powerful nation and the Industrial Revolution began.
This was good for some people introducing mass production which provided many jobs and cheaper goods.

However, the Industrial Revolution also contributed to poor social conditions. The poor experienced the worst. With terrible working conditions, extreme child labor, poverty, disease, crowded and unsanitary housing, and a high crime rate the poor were miserable.

All these factors contributed to an outburst of literature. Realism became very popular and writers focused on exposing the conditions of the time period.

I'm supposed to include religion and such...
and also literary examples..
I'm just lost on what to incorporate.
And I'm not really sure how everything affected literature.

Look at Dickens' Oliver Twist. That is an excellent example of that time.

It is ironic in that the workhouses and orphanages, while advertising how wonderful they were, exploited the children.

This is the site for the Themes and Motifs section of Sparknotes analysis of the book.

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/oliver/themes.html

To incorporate the element of religious events in your essay on how the social, historical, political, and religious events of the Victorian Era affected literature, you can consider the following aspects:

1. Religious Influence: The Victorian Era was characterized by a strong religious sentiment, with the Church of England holding a central role in society. The emergence of prominent religious movements, such as the Oxford Movement, had a profound impact on literary works of the time. Authors often explored themes of faith, morality, and spirituality in their writings.

2. Social Criticism: Many writers of the period, influenced by religious beliefs, used literature to comment on social issues and advocate for social reform. For instance, the works of Charles Dickens, such as "Oliver Twist" and "Hard Times," shed light on the hardships faced by the lower classes, exposing social injustices and advocating for change.

3. Ethical Dilemmas: The Victorian Era was marked by a conflict between traditional religious values and the changing social landscape. This tension often found its way into literature, with authors grappling with moral and ethical dilemmas. For example, Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray" explores the consequences of pursuing pleasure and beauty at the expense of moral responsibility.

4. Representation of Religious Figures: Literature of the time often depicted religious figures as symbols of moral authority or explored the tensions between religious institutions and individual spirituality. Thomas Hardy's novel "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" delves into the conflicts between religious dogma and personal conscience.

To further support your arguments, you can incorporate specific literary examples that reflect the social, historical, political, and religious events of the Victorian Era.

For instance, you can discuss Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities," which reflects the political turmoil and social inequality of the time, including the French Revolution and the plight of the poor in England.

You can also analyze the works of the Brontë sisters, such as Charlotte Brontë's "Jane Eyre" and Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights," to delve into the exploration of love, independence, and the challenges faced by women in Victorian society.

Overall, by understanding the societal context and key events of the Victorian Era, and examining prominent literary works from that time, you can effectively demonstrate how literature reflects the cultural climate and sheds light on the social, historical, political, and religious events of the period.