Victorian England setting from "summary" of Black Butler by Yana Toboso
Set in Victorian England, this story follows the adventures of a young boy who is forced to work as an agent for a mysterious organization that works for the British government. He soon discovers the dark secrets and mysteries that lie beneath the seemingly peaceful and quaint facade of the Victorian era.- The laws of Britain during this time became stricter and more socially controlled as a reaction against fast technological advancements. One’s station in life mattered more than ever before and affected a person’s lifestyle heavily.
- London, England in the mid-1800s was an exciting place to be, with new sciences and technologies leading the way for other European countries. People were obsessed with fashion, elegance, and class, all of which culminated into the Victorian Era.
- For entertainment, churches offered their parishioners lectures on various moral topics like thrift and temperance; novels written by authors such as Charles Dickens entered society with characters and stories which had the entire country captivated. People found beauty in Nature and sketched pictures of animals and landscapes.
- Social culture arose during this period where personal relationships had rituals no longer seen today. Courting looked different from modern dating, with strict rules about societal etiquette between men and women and a rather extravagant display of attention of the courting gentleman towards the lady.
- Leisure activities involved balancing between one’s obligations and desires. Most people went to parks or gardens for enjoyment and occasionally attended theatre performances or musical concerts. Horse racing was becoming popular and art galleries featured artwork by many famous artists while fairs drew people from all walks of life.
- Industrialization meant that transportation across the country had become easier, connecting people from distant corners of the country in ways never before possible. Generally, the industry made industrialization good for everyone in large cities like London; however it also presented its own set of social problems.
- Women’s roles saw more changes - attending balls, writing letters and diaries, teaching at day schools, taking part in fashion trends. In general, it could be said that much of the women’s daily routines were devoted to maintaining a sanitary space and disciplining the children.
- Science and medicine changed drastically during this era due to discoveries such as Darwin's Theory of Evolution and Pasteur's work on germs. It created debates among scientists, clergy, and the public alike.
