Victorian Reality: Industrial Perils, Literary Echoes & Health Struggles
The Victorian era, marked by industrialisation and societal shifts, witnessed profound changes in living conditions. The Industrial Revolution marked a significant change in the way goods were manufactured and the way people lived and worked.
The rise of factories and new technologies brought about many new jobs, but it also brought about numerous industrial accidents and fatalities. The increased number of industrial accidents, as well as the poor working conditions in factories and mines, led to a significant increase in the number of deaths.
The most common cause of death during the Industrial Revolution was industrial accidents, which were often caused by the lack of safety measures in the workplace. Workers were exposed to dangerous machinery, toxic chemicals, and hazardous working conditions, which led to a high number of injuries and fatalities.
Another major contributor to death during the Industrial Revolution was the proliferation of unhealthy living conditions. The growth of cities and urbanisation led to overcrowding, poor sanitation, and disease outbreaks, which caused widespread illness and death. In addition, the harsh working conditions in factories and mines led to physical exhaustion, which made workers more susceptible to diseases and illnesses.
The children of the Industrial Revolution were also at risk. Many children were forced to work in factories and mines, where they were exposed to the same dangers as adult workers. Children were often paid lower wages and were forced to work long hours, which led to physical and mental exhaustion. Children were also at risk of injury from dangerous machinery and toxic chemicals, which led to a high number of fatalities among this vulnerable group.
Despite the dangers of industrial work, many people still flocked to the cities in search of work, as the new industries promised higher wages and a better life. However, the reality was often very different, and the harsh working conditions and increased risk of death made industrial work one of the most dangerous jobs of the time. This transformative period's harsh realities were vividly portrayed in the literature of the time.
Industrial Poverty
The Industrial Revolution brought about new technologies and industries, leading to a growing working-class population. The working-class experience became a major theme in Victorian literature, with many writers focusing on the struggles and hardships of impoverished people.
One of the most prominent writers to explore the working-class experience was Charles Dickens. In many of his novels, Dickens portrayed urban squalor, where overcrowded slums and impoverished neighbourhoods became focal points. Works like Oliver Twist vividly depicted the poor's struggles against societal neglect. Dickens used his writing to expose the harsh realities of life for the working class, including poverty, exploitation, and social injustice. His characters, such as the young orphan Oliver Twist, symbolised the suffering of the working class.
Elizabeth Gaskell was a British novelist and social reformer who wrote extensively about the social and economic conditions of the working class in England during the 19th century. In her novels, she often depicted the lives of working-class people, portraying their struggles and hardships with empathy and understanding.
One of Gaskell’s most famous works, North and South, was published in 1855 and is set in the fictional industrial town of Milton in northern England. The novel explores the tensions between the workers and the factory owners and highlights the harsh working conditions and the impact they had on the health and wellbeing of the workers.
In Elizabeth Gaskell's Mary Barton, the grim landscape of poverty and overcrowding in industrial Manchester is vividly depicted. Gaskell, drawing from her own observations and experiences, captures the stark realities faced by the working class during the mid-19th century.
Friedrich Engels, a German philosopher, social scientist, and political theorist, is well known for his seminal work The Condition of the Working Class in England. Published in 1845, the book is a scathing critique of the social and economic conditions of the working class in England during the Industrial Revolution.
Engels spent several years in Manchester, England, where he witnessed firsthand the appalling conditions in which the working class lived and worked. He was appalled by the poverty, disease, and squalor that he saw, and he blamed the capitalist system for the misery of the working class.
The Condition of the Working Class in England serves as a powerful corroborating source. Engels conducted meticulous research on the abysmal living conditions of the working class in Manchester. His insights align with Gaskell's portrayal, providing a socio-economic backdrop to Mary Barton.
Both Engels and Gaskell illuminate the squalid living conditions in overcrowded slums. Gaskell's Mary Barton resides in the impoverished district of Manchester, where families are crammed into tiny, unsanitary dwellings. Engels' detailed descriptions further expose the deplorable state of these urban spaces.
Gaskell's narrative emphasizes the stark divide between the privileged factory owners and the exploited working class. Engels' analysis delves into the economic forces driving this divide, showcasing the immense wealth of the industrialists in stark contrast to the dire poverty of the labouring masses.
Engels' observations on the absence of proper sanitation and the resultant health hazards align with Gaskell's portrayal of rampant disease and malnutrition in Mary Barton. The lack of basic amenities, coupled with harsh working conditions, creates a breeding ground for illness and suffering.
The literary works of Gaskell and the socio-economic insights of Engels contributed to a growing awareness of the appalling living conditions. Their combined efforts stirred public discourse and, in part, influenced later reforms addressing housing, labour, and public health.
Sanitation & Public Health Concerns
Disease-related death was a major concern in the 1800s, a time when medical science was still in its infancy and outbreaks of deadly illnesses were frequent and widespread. The lack of understanding of how diseases spread, combined with poor living conditions and limited medical treatments, resulted in high mortality rates in many communities.
Miasma theory was a medical and scientific belief held at times in our history, including the Victorian era, that attributed diseases to the spread of noxious, foul-smelling air. The term miasma is derived from the ancient Greek word for pollution. According to this theory, diseases, especially epidemics, were thought to be caused by the inhalation of contaminated air, often arising from decomposing organic matter or other environmental factors.
Miasma theory posited that diseases spread through the air, and inhaling foul, polluted air was considered a primary cause of illness. Factors contributing to miasma included decomposing organic matter, poor sanitation, stagnant water, and other environmental conditions believed to generate harmful vapours. In response to the miasma theory, efforts were made to combat diseases by improving sanitation, managing waste, and promoting cleaner environments.
In literature, miasma theory often manifested as a metaphorical or symbolic element, reflecting societal fears and anxieties related to contamination and disease. Bram Stoker's Gothic masterpiece touches on the anxieties of the Victorian era, including the fear of contagion. The mysterious and ominous atmosphere surrounding Count Dracula and the spread of vampirism can be interpreted as a reflection of the anxieties related to contagious diseases and the idea of a foreign influence threatening Victorian society.
One of the most significant diseases of the time was tuberculosis, also known as consumption. With no cure available, it was a leading cause of death, especially in urban areas where poverty and poor living conditions only worsened the spread of the disease. The disease was also spread through close contact and was often referred to as the “white plague” due to its ability to cause deathly pale skin. Medical professionals often prescribed bed rest, which only led to further weakness, and even remedies like opium, which only masked the symptoms.
A portion of the contemporary novel Bone China by Laura Purcell is centred around a physician trying to find a cure for the white plague. His wife died from the disease, which both motivated him to find a cure and caused him to lose the trust of the very people he would usually tend to. How could he, despite his medical training, look after them if he couldn’t even save his own wife?
The Body Snatcher by Robert Louis Stephenson was based on the real-world practice of graverobbing. William Burke and William Hare would take the bodies they stole or murdered to the hospital where Doctor Robert Knox purchased them. The bodies, as well as live patients, were used to teach medical students and aspiring surgeons how to perform procedures. Infection would spread easily if people had been performing surgery that day, particularly if the flesh had started to decompose.
In 1867, Joseph Lister introduced antiseptic (carbolic acid), transforming surgical practice forever. It was initially sprayed in the air, but Lister realised it was also the instruments and the hands that needed treating. Further development in this field took place in 1876 with the introduction of surgical gloves.
As literature serves as a timeless mirror reflecting societal conditions, the portrayal of Victorian living conditions in these works provides invaluable insights into the challenges and aspirations of an era undergoing profound transformation.
The Industrial Revolution brought about many new jobs and technologies, but it also led to a significant increase in deaths and fatalities. The lack of safety measures in the workplace, as well as the unhealthy living conditions in the cities, made industrial work one of the most dangerous jobs of the time. The lives of workers, especially children, were often at risk, and the high number of deaths serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made during this period of great change.
By intertwining Gaskell's poignant storytelling with Engels' rigorous analysis, the exploration of poverty and overcrowding in Victorian literature becomes a potent tool for understanding the profound societal challenges faced during this transformative era. Through their collective lens, we gain a nuanced perspective on the complex interplay of economic forces, social structures, and human resilience amidst adversity.
Disease was a prevalent and significant theme in Victorian literature. Many writers of the time used disease as a symbol or plot device, highlighting the fragility of life and the dangers of poverty and neglect. The representation of disease was often influenced by prevailing social and medical attitudes, which reflected the changing beliefs and practices of the time.
The lack of understanding about the spread of disease, combined with the lack of proper training and sterilisation techniques, led to many deaths related to surgical procedures. Despite these challenges, many surgeons continued to perform surgeries, and their efforts helped to lay the foundation for the advancements in medicine and surgery that we see today. Overall, the portrayal of disease in Victorian literature offers a unique insight into the cultural and societal concerns of the era.
This just makes me glad I wasn't born back than. o.o
One thing I admire about the Victorian novelists is that they were not blind to the world around them and they used their writings as a means of equalization for injustices. This is far less common in contemporary literature.