"Blessings on Thee, Dog of Mine" Dogs in Victorian Literature as a Reflection on Society

Abstract

The Victorian era was a period of consequential change for the landscape of Britain and its colonies worldwide. As Victorian literature began to chronicle a societal shift in the depiction of dogs, it reflected the societal changes that were underway. This literary analysis explores how prominent literary works contributed to the transformation of the role of dogs in society from working animals to cherished household companions. The evolving human-canine relationship is illustrated with insights from Thomas Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd, poetry by Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Michael Field, and a diverse selection of academic articles. The impact of significant socio-cultural phenomena, such as the Industrial Revolution, Charles Darwin's landmark research, the establishment of the RSPCA, and Queen Victoria’s personal affection for dogs, is also explored. By assessing many subtle aspects of Victorian Britain, this analysis demonstrates how the literature of the time not only reflects but also facilitates the changing dynamic between humans and their dogs within broader society.