What are the characteristics of late Victorian fantasy fiction?

One of the best late Victorian novels is 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde. Its characteristics include a profound exploration of morality. The character Dorian Gray remains young and beautiful while his portrait ages and reflects his immoral deeds. Wilde's use of vivid language and his satirical take on the upper - class society of the time are also notable features.

J. M. Barrie is also a notable author. His 'Peter Pan' is a beloved work of late Victorian fantasy. It introduced the magical world of Neverland and the character of Peter Pan, who defied growing up. Additionally, H. G. Wells wrote some works that could be considered part of this genre, especially when he delved into more speculative and fantastical concepts. Wells was known for his imaginative ideas that pushed the boundaries of what was considered normal during the Victorian era.

The Victorian Era Fiction often has complex moral themes. Characters are usually concerned with propriety and social status. For example, in many novels, there are strict class divides shown. Also, it frequently features elaborate descriptions of settings, like the detailed portrayal of London in Dickens' works.

The use of detective figures is a key characteristic. Detectives in Victorian crime fiction are often highly intelligent and observant. They use logic and deduction to solve crimes. For instance, Sherlock Holmes is a prime example. His ability to notice the smallest details was remarkable. Moreover, Victorian crime fiction often had a lot of suspense. The authors would keep the readers on the edge of their seats, slowly revealing clues and misdirecting them at times. The moral and ethical issues of the time were also reflected in these stories, like the role of women in society and the problems related to industrialization.

Well, Victorian fiction typically had elaborate descriptions. Writers like Charles Dickens would go into great detail about the settings, be it the dirty streets of London or the grand mansions of the rich. The characters were diverse, ranging from virtuous heroes and heroines to villainous rogues. Moreover, serialization was popular during this time. Many Victorian novels were first published in installments in magazines, which influenced the way the stories were written, often with cliffhangers at the end of each part to keep the readers hooked.

One characteristic is their focus on social issues. Victorian society had many problems like poverty, class differences, and the role of women, and these were often explored in the books. For example, Dickens' works showed the harsh conditions of the poor. Another is the use of complex characters. Characters were often multi - dimensional, like Heathcliff in 'Wuthering Heights'.

Victorian mystery fiction often features complex plots. There are usually a lot of secrets and hidden motives. For example, in many works, the setting is in the Victorian era's big cities like London, with foggy streets creating an atmosphere of mystery. Characters can range from upper - class society members to the poor, all with their own stories and possible involvement in the mystery.

One of the main characteristics is its moral purpose. Victorian novels often aimed to teach moral lessons. For example, Dickens' works like 'Oliver Twist' showed the harshness of society and the importance of kindness and justice. Another characteristic is the detailed social realism. These novels depicted various social classes, from the poor in the slums to the wealthy in their mansions. Also, complex characters were common. The characters had multi - faceted personalities and underwent significant development throughout the story.

Victorian short fiction often has complex characters. The stories usually reflect the social values and norms of the Victorian era. For example, there is a strong sense of propriety and moral judgment in them.

Well, Victorian science fiction was known for its blend of scientific speculation and adventure. The stories were set in a time when the Industrial Revolution was in full swing, so you'd often see steam - powered machines and other new technologies in the plots. Authors were inspired by the rapid changes in society and science. Jules Verne, though not strictly Victorian but of the same era, wrote about underwater exploration in 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea', which was a great example of the genre's fascination with the unknown.