19th Century & Victorian Novels

1. Proper etiquette was by far the most important quality in the Victorian era, for both men and women.  Women were taught from a very young age the proper way to behave like a lady, which included attending to one's family, showing loyalty to one's husband, and always showing one's self off as a proper lady.  Men were raised to be providers and masters of their household.  Women were seen as an overall weaker individual to a man and therefore men were the rulers of everything.  Gentlemen controlled who they married and who their mistresses were, but if a women was seen as a mistress then she would be cut from society.      http://www.atuttascuola.it/risorse/inglese/the_victorian_age.htm
2. One of the most popular authors of the Victorian era was Charles Dickens.  With his amazing classics A Tale of Two Cities and Oliver Twist Dickens is stilling keeping readers of today's century entertained.  Lewis Carrol and Rudyard Kipling were two prominent Children’s authors.  Reading became more popular towards younger generations during this era.  http://www.enotes.com/topics/victorian-literature
3.  Darwin’s theory of natural selection significantly challenged the Victorian world views. The established conservatives were unwilling to change any beliefs that challenged the natural order. Another idea was socialism, this changed the way in which individuals interacted with one another.
http://courses.wcupa.edu/fletcher/britlitweb/cklinb.htm
4.  Jane Eyre was a fantastic novel from its birth, but the reviews were mixed.  The critics stated they believed the book went to far, and stressed the boundaries to much.  The radical use of feminism in the novel was a gigantic leap forward and caused some scuffle.  http://www.enotes.com/charlotte-bronte-criticism/bronte-charlotte-1816-1855
5.  A women's role was based around the household and to her family.  The wife was in charge of keeping the household a place of peace and happiness, that way the husband could come home to a stress free environment.  Children's education was also a responsibility of the wife.  A women was also required to always look professional, that way her family could look more higher classed.    
 http://ajnev.wordpress.com/the-victorian-era-the-status-of-women/
6.  The Victorian era was known for its strict social structure. The upper class had been defined for years as those who had aristocrat titles, the middle class was small and in its infant stages, and the lower class was infamous for its near complete lack of mobility. 

http://www.english.uwosh.edu/roth/VictorianEngland.htm