The Queen
was the figurehead for a society constantly striving for progress. The emergence of middle class attitudes and values was central to achieving this change. British society was rigidly stratified, but the spread of wealth derived from industry and the Empire, and the increasing availability of disposable income, broke down barriers, and raised expectations. By the end of Queen Victoria's reign, British society witnessed transformations in many areas: women and the family, children and education, travel and emigration, leisure, entertainment and fantasy, death and mourning.

Transport and Recreation By the end of the century, thanks to the railways and urban public transport, all classes could enjoy the freedom of travel. New opportunities for leisure included seaside holidays, theatre and music hall, sports and shopping.

'The New Woman' Theatre Poster, by Alfred Morrow, 1894

'A Gaiety Girl' Poster, by Dudley Hardy, c. 1895

Women and the family The role of women in Victorian society was constantly debated. For much of the century, middle class respectability was defined by the notion of 'separate spheres' - the husband going out to work, and the wife and family remaining at home. At the same time, opportunities for female employment and independence grew. From the 1850s girls' schools could prepare their pupils for entry to colleges and universities, and for a few, into professions such as education and medicine. Another form of independence was also gained through the various Married Women's Property Acts. By the 1890s advanced women smoked, rode bicycles and fought for emancipation. In 1897 the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies was founded. Technological and commercial developments provided new opportunities for female employment at the end of the century, in factories, in offices and particularly in shops. Tonks' painting ("The Hat Shop") illustrates the complex relationships between respectable working girls and women whose independence was based on their having the time and the money to enjoy the new habit of shopping.

Children
Children were increasingly the focus of attention, both as independent beings to be shaped by education and as consumers. Sentimentalised images of innocence were commonplace as a counterpoint to the realities of child labour and high infant mortality rates.

Death and mourning
The need to come to terms with the ever-present reality of death brought about an expansion of the established church and the pursuit of spiritualism.

Fantasy
The Victorians had many anxieties which were often counterbalanced by the creation of fantasy worlds based on history, literature, exploration and the imagination. From the Royal Family downwards, there was a popular enthusiasm for spectacle and dressing up.

Emigration
During Victoria's reign over 11 million of her subjects emigrated. Famine in Ireland, and clearances in Highland Scotland forced many to start new lives overseas. Nearly two-thirds settled in the United States, many encouraged by the Gold Rushes in California (1849) and Alaska (1896).