Courtney Safritt's Channel Firing Essay

The Radical Religious Revolution in British Victorian Literature

Although the literary canon is already quite extensive and includes a large number of important authors and texts that were undeniably influential on the society of their time, I believe that this course would benefit from the addition of three brief texts. As readers in hindsight, I think it is very easy to lose sight of the monumental changes that were occurring in society at the time, especially in the way the Victorians viewed religion. As Darwin presented his findings on the theory of evolution, there was increasing corruption found in the Church, and the gap between the wealthy and the destitute increasingly widened as a result of the industrial revolution, it is clear that their idea of religion was in turmoil. I think that this class would benefit in better understanding the zeitgeist by adding to the topical lens of science and religion with “The Latest Decalogue” and “Dipsychus” by Arthur Hugh Clough, and “Answer Me” by Adah Isaacs Menken.

Arthur Hugh Clough was not previously listed in our canon of texts, and I think that he adds insightful literature that should be included. As a humorist, it seems that his texts probably got the attention of many in society, and through humor and comedy he brought proper attention to serious problems existing in religion at the time. “The Latest Decalogue”, paralleling the Ten Commandments, shows the discrepancies between religious law and the actual behaviors and actions of the Christian “faithful” and brings their true faith into question. “Dipsychus” is similar in its humor and comedy at first glance to, and can be easily read in conjunction with, Robert Browning’s “Soliloquy of the Spanish Cloister” and “The Bishop Orders His Tomb at Saint Praxed’s Church” and Felicia Heman’s “Epitaph on Mr. W-“. These texts, while humorous and light at first reading, pack a subtle punch to the egos of Victorian’s. While Robert Browning’s attacks on hypocrisy were mostly centered on the clergy, Clough extends a critical eye to every member of society from “youngsters” to “country folk” in how they view faith. This intentional calling out does not leave anyone out, and calls for all to carefully revaluate their faith and how they are living their lives.

The current canon has done a laudable job of including a large variety of texts from female writers, however, I believe it is beneficial to read more from them. Many of the texts from female writers focus on topics of gender in society, and I think there should be more texts from female authors that focus on the topic of religion and science to present a more inclusive view of shifting Victorian mentality. Because of Adah Isaacs Menken’s massive popularity as an actress (in both America and in London) as a Jewish activist, it would be a shame to only read a single text from her. “Answer Me” is a very powerful and dramatic poem with a prayerful desperate plea. This poem forcefully reflects the fear and confusion felt by the Victorians as their very way of life was forever altered as changes in science and religion took away the simple assurance and deference they once had in their faith. The poetic speaker’s painful and striking cries for an answer from God contrasted with the diminishing confidence in affirmations of faith as she faces the storms of life must reflect the experiences of many Victorians as they painfully struggled with their internal battle of faith, trying to comprehend the cause of so much pain in the world and new scientific evidence. This poem pairs nicely with both Lord Alfred Tennyson’s “In Memoriam” and Christina Rosetti’s “A Better Ressurrection” as Tennyson’s speaker struggles in his faith for an answer and Rosetti’s speaker clings to her faith as an answer to her suffering.

The changes in science and religion during the Victorian time period affected all areas of society, and shook the faith of many, changing not only the main institutions of society, but the Victorians’ way of life. It is important to give enough attention to this dilemma between faith, human suffering, and monumental scientific findings that were faced by so many Victorians. “The Latest Decalogue”, “Dipsychus”, and “Answer Me” help to flesh out the feelings of the Victorians and offer a glimpse into their hearts and minds as they attempted to balance their faith and science, and how this forever altered not only society, but also their lasting legacy in literature.