Introduction
" The Eighteen Nineties" is a book composed by Holbrook Jackson in 1913, which talks about the crucial literary and social motions, popular authors, and central cultural themes of the 1890s in Britain. Holbrook Jackson was an English journalist and writer, best known for his deal with literature, publishing, and the arts. In this book, Jackson paints a brilliant portrait of the era, frequently referred to as the "fin de siècle" or the "Decadent Period", defined by a pervasive sense of disillusionment and decline at the close of the 19th century.
Literary Movements
Jackson highlights numerous literary motions that settled during this years. One such movement was Symbolism, which looked for to detach art from the restrictions of reality, focusing rather on the use of symbols and evocations of emotions. He likewise observes the development of Aestheticism, a motion that championed charm and art for its own sake, often divorcing it from standard morality. The Decadent movement, carefully tied to Aestheticism, was marked by an extreme indulgence in sensory experiences and a fixation with the darker underside of humanity.
Key Authors and Their Works
Holbrook Jackson lavishes attention on several essential authors, poets, and playwrights of the 1890s, including:
1. Oscar Wilde: Perhaps the most distinguished figure of the duration, Wilde was a flexible author, popular for his wit, epigrams, and flamboyant character. His works, such as "The Picture of Dorian Gray", "The Importance of Being Earnest", and "Salome", encapsulated the essence of the Aesthetic and Decadent movements.
2. George Bernard Shaw: An influential playwright, Shaw is known for his incisive wit and insightful social commentary. Functions like "Widowers' Houses" and "The Philanderer" shook the structures of recognized morality and conventional society.
3. Arthur Symons: As a poet and critic, Symons was instrumental in presenting Symbolism to the English-speaking world and promoting the French Symbolist poets. His "The Symbolist Movement in Literature" stays an influential work.
4. Aubrey Beardsley: An illustrator and author, Beardsley's highly elegant, elaborate illustrations became emblematic of the Decadent movement. Though he died young, he left an indelible mark on the duration with works like "The Yellow Book".
Social Changes and Shifts in Public Opinion
In "The Eighteen Nineties", Jackson offers context for these literary movements by pointing towards the more comprehensive social modifications that were taking place. Fast urbanization, Darwin's evolutionary theories, and the birth of psychology all left their mark on society. Additionally, the growing power of the middle class and the growth of females's rights motions assisted to dissolve the standard borders of gender, class, and morality.
Yet, the decade was also marked by a sense of anxiousness and apprehension of what the future may bring. Jackson highlights the increase of theological and philosophical pessimism, represented by works like "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam" and "The Time Machine", which showed the stress and anxieties of uncertainty, decay, and death.
Conclusion
Holbrook Jackson's "The Eighteen Nineties" illuminates the literary and social advancements of this critical decade in British history. Through its exploration of crucial authors, literary movements, and social modifications, the book provides a special window into the zeitgeist of a society on the cusp of a brand-new century. Simultaneously effervescent and troubled, the Decadent Period and its literature continue to hold relevance today as a testimony to the complicated interaction in between art, culture, and social modification. This book is an important and appealing resource for those interested in comprehending a duration marked by groundbreaking literary works and significant cultural shifts born of a rapidly changing society.
The Eighteen Nineties
A review of the literary, artistic, cultural, and social movements of the 1890s in Europe, specifically focusing on Great Britain.
Author: Holbrook Jackson
Holbrook Jackson, renowned writer, essayist & publisher. Explore his biography, influences, quotes & more. Dive into literary history.
More about Holbrook Jackson