1. Historical background: The Victorian age can be roughly divided into three periods: (1) 1832-1848: a time of social unrest; (2) 1848-1870: a period of economic prosperity and religious controversy; (3) 1870-1901: a period of decay of Victorian values
1. Historical background: The Constitutional monarchy set up by parliament in 1688 was a compromise between the bourgeoisie and the aristocrats. The cultural life had undergone remarkable changes. Newton’s scientific discovery and the philosophy of John Locke affected people’s thinking of the world
1. Historical background The Elizabeth Age (1558-1603): England enjoyed peaceful development under the rule of Queen Elizabeth I, who maintained a balance of between the Protestants and the Catholics