Exploring Victorian Era Class and Culture: Representation of the Working Class through Joseph Skipsey's Poetry

Authors

Nathasya Josephine, National Taiwan Normal UniversityFollow

Keywords

English Literature, Working-class poetry, Victorian Era, Class stratification, Joseph Skipsey, Minority

Abstract

Representation of minorities has always been a problem in publication. This is especially true in Victorian society, where class stratification was rampant and class distinctions were marked as normal. As a result, many authors from underprivileged communities are overshadowed by the influential literary giants we now know as the Canons. This paper aims to shed light on one of the unknown voices representing Victorian working-class society. Specifically, it will discuss Joseph Skipsey, a working-class author who writes poems about his daily life and struggles as a miner. The focus will be on two of his poems: "Get Up" and The Hartley Calamity. This analysis will mainly contribute through a historicist approach, connecting his poetry to his autobiographical experiences as a representative of the working class in the Victorian era.

Recommended Citation

Josephine, Nathasya (2025) "Exploring Victorian Era Class and Culture: Representation of the Working Class through Joseph Skipsey's Poetry," International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities: Vol. 17: Iss. 1, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61809/2168-0620.1357
Available at: https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/ijurca/vol17/iss1/2