The Choices In Dilemma: A Study Of The Morality Of The Lower Middle Class Characters In The Victorian Novel

The study of the Victorian Period is very important in both the fields of history and literature. Its importance lies not only in the achievements the British made in the period, but also in the fact that this period is a reorienting period in English ideology from tradition to modernity. This thesis will concentrate on the change of moral orientation in the Victorian Period among these comprehensive changes. However, morality is an abstract existence and it is difficult to define it with one sentence. So in this thesis, the author will focus on the changes in the moral value system of the lower middle class, which appeared in Victorian novels and in social stratification, and then try to examine the moral situation in this period of social transition.The thesis comprises five parts:Introduction is the first part of the thesis. First, it summarizes the studies of domestic and international scholars on the Victorian novel and the problem of social stratification. Though there are comprehensive works and essays on the topic concerning Victorian novels, the studies of the British lower middle class in this period are quite deficient among domestic achievements. In addition, the studies made by overseas scholars are not systematized and neglect the relations between morality and class origin. Second, the Introduction gives an account of the presentation of this thesis topic, the research approaches, and the contents of this thesis. It also discusses the two mainstream moral standards: the idea of the gentleman and the idea of the angel in the house. Finally, it illustrates the researching significance of this thesis.Chapter One is the second part of the thesis. After presenting the historical background of Victorian society and the lower middle class, it focuses on the discussion on the emergence of the lower middle class and its psychological state and dilemma it faces in the Victorian Period.Chapter Two is the third part of the thesis. It mainly examines the image of the lower middle class through a survey of characters in the Victorian novel. Considering the various characteristics of different professions, it divides these lower middle class characters into several groups according to their professions: small businessmen, shopkeepers, clerks, schoolteachers and writers. Furthermore, because of the low political position of Victorian women, their status in society is usually decided by the status of the male family members. Therefore, in this part, this thesis gives a specific account of the social status and the moral characteristics of the lower middle class women.Chapter Three is the fourth part of the thesis. It analyzes the moral situation and the unique moral characteristics of the lower middle class. It groups the situations into three: the pursuit of social status, the pursuit of the fulfillment of individual ideas and the pursuit of the equal rights between man and woman.Conclusion is the fifth part of the thesis. It summarizes the morality of the lower middle class and is aimed at proving that this specific class will develop its own moral characteristics, but of course, there will be several exceptions. It then discusses the practical significance of this thesis. Namely, the literature reflects the contemporary psychological state in the society. This thesis provides a new angle for the study of Victorian literature and culture, and provides more space for the future studies.