Who Were the Victorians?

Looking at a brief overview of the Victorians I can immediately summarize that this time frame is complex. The Victorians, as a whole, cannot be defined by one feature and they are both similar and dissimilar to today’s society. One of the major similarities I noticed was their emphasis on politics and having a representative government. Some of the most notable political movements; socialism, liberalism and feminism, are still prevalent today and are widely discussed and analyzed. The American government is greatly influenced by the opinion of “the people” and the same can be said for The Victorians. 

One difference I noticed was a woman’s role in everyday life. Options for women were limited in the Victorian Era when compared to the opportunities presented today. However, during this time period, you can see women’s roles in society expanding which of course is a movement in the correct direction. 

Two major advancements I saw were in the medical field with Joseph Lister’s aseptic technique and the use of anesthetics. Both practices are now widely utilized worldwide. The aseptic technique alone has saved countless lives by preventing infection during medical treatment.