Edwardian Era: Literature, Theater, and Societal Shifts
The Edwardian Period (1901-1912)
Introduction
The Edwardian period saw the consolidation and expansion of the Industrial Revolution. New machines, such as the telephone, were invented. More people began to reject Victorian social principles. During this period, the family, marriage, religion, colonialism, hypocrisy, good manners, and the supremacy of man were all being questioned. The consolidation of the British Empire continued. The beginning of feminism with the fight for women’s suffrage. A change in the scientific paradigm with Einstein and Newton. There are limits to knowledge; you cannot know everything.
Poetry in the Edwardian Period
Poetry during this time was traditional, as seen in the works of Kipling, and innovative, as seen in the works of Yeats and Synge. The innovation was not radical; it was moderate. Kipling wrote Plain Tales from the Hills, Just So Stories, The Jungle Book, and Captains Courageous. Yeats also made significant contributions.
“Big Steamers”: A Poem
- The British Empire is regarded as a colonial network.
- Protection by force.
- Glorification of trade.
- Glorification of industrialism.
- Praise of hard work and discipline.
“News from Nowhere” vs. “Big Steamers” and “The Secret of the Machines”
Anti-Machines vs. glorification of machines (perfection). Anti-global trade vs. glorification of global trade. Anti-imperialism vs. Imperialism (European, more specifically British). Western world, predominant notions (man, male, white, European, and money) vs. Woman, Homosexuals, black, redskins, and non-European. Paying attention to the other’s point of view vs. self-authored, selfish poems; colonies are nothing but the source of materials. Small communities vs. empire. Simple life vs. technology.
Yeats: Idealistic poem (emphasizes idealistic virtues, relates women and mythical characters; as a consequence, the woman the poem is addressed to becomes a mythical character).
Synge: A realistic poem; there is a clear difference between reality and myths (fiction). It emphasizes the non-poetical quality of myths.
“He Bids His Beloved Be at Peace” vs. “A Woman Homer Sung” and “No Second Troy”
Heavy ornamentation vs. more austere language. Rejection of the material world vs. rejection of the modern world (practical, money, work, food). Woman = Beauty vs. woman is turned into a mythical figure. Symbols: a variety and accumulation of symbols vs. symbol: woman. In “Queens,” almost natural language, not refined, even grotesque images; the woman is depicted as a realistic character.
Drama in the Edwardian Period
Absenian drama, Irish National Theatre. Victorian Drama:
- Shakespeare: Poor performances of Shakespeare’s plays in the late 1500s and early 1600s.
- Imitations of Shakespeare’s plays in verse.
- Pantomimes: Low-quality dramas.
- Forces: Low-class audiences.
- Victorian melodrama: Simple plots for low-class audiences, flat characters, music, and songs.
Principles by Yeats: Samhain
- We have to find plays that will make the theatre a place of intellectual excitement.
- If we are to restore words to their sovereignty, we must make speech even more important than gesture.
- We must simplify acting. We must get rid of everything that is restless, everything that draws the attention away from the sound of the voice.
- Nobler movements: It is necessary to simplify both the form and color of scenery and costume.
Fiction in the Edwardian Period
Notable authors and works include H.G. Wells (The Time Machine, The Invisible Man, The Island of Dr. Moreau, The War of the Worlds), James Joyce (Dubliners, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Ulysses, Finnegans Wake), Joseph Conrad (Lord Jim, Heart of Darkness, The Shadow-Line), and Anton Chekhov (Oliver Twist).