Crime in Victorian London - 1449 Words

Nineteenth century London is famous for being the birth place of the Industrial Revolution. But that is not all the victorians are famous for, they are also known for their high crime rate and being the home of multiple notorious serial killers, like Jack the Ripper. London was also overpopulated which some think might be the cause of the high crime rate. Though Urbanization did have an affect on crime,an incompetent police force and a media that glamorized crime also contributed to the high crime rate. Before the industrial revolution, most of Britains population lived and worked on farms, but skilled laborers and artisans were an important part of Britains economy (Martello). The country was especially wealthy because of their†¦show more content†¦Pretty much where ever you are you really arent all that safe. When youre at home, groups of thieves could rob a person and then kill them. On a crowded street, someone could bump into someone and just so happen to walk away with their wallet. And if someone were walking around in some secluded area, they could easily get attacked, robbed, and killed. The problem remains, the police were rarely ever any help in the matter. Sometimes because they were too drunk to notice, and sometimes the thieves would throw the cops off their scent by actually throwing acid on them (Banerjee). Another crime rarely ever reported was child murder. The Central Middlesex Coroner reported that at least 800 children had been killed in that area in just a year. He thought that the number was so high because those killing the children werent apprehended, so no one would stop. Most of these murders were committed by the children’s parents and usually out of need. At the time, having a child could actually ruin lives, especially if they already had children. Another mouth to feed was not what these families needed. There were no safe or legal abortion methods at the time so the parents saw no other way out. Most of the children were killed in infancy. In a lot of cases if they lived passed infancy they were sent to the workhouse because it was either that orShow MoreRelatedCertain Geographical Components Allow Specific Crimes And1493 Words   |  6 PagesCertain geographical components allow specific crimes and criminals form in that area and these areas can help cultivate a nd breed new crimes and criminals or alleviate crime in that region. It is in fact geographical areas that can allow criminals to be successful at committing crime or can end their criminal career. Throughout the Victorian era many authors were careful to make a supportive plot for their criminal and detective characters to survive as a character in the story. Authors like theRead MoreA Child of the Jago by Arthur Morrison1665 Words   |  7 PagesArthur Morrison’s A Child of the Jago (1896) is intrinsically linked to the social class system and poverty. The novel is set and published during the late Victorian age, a period in which the working class experienced a relentless struggle against the harsh realities of social and working conditions. Moreover, in his paper The Working Class in Britain 1850-1939, John Benson highlights the disparities between the poor and the economy during the era as a result of the Industrial revolution and urbanisation(BensonRead MoreTransformat ions in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson704 Words   |  3 Pagesappearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable† (35). As per the quote Hyde looks very ugly. His deeds are uglier and compliances suitably to his physical self. 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The stories show the reader Victorian customs and mannerisms, clothi ng styleRead MoreCompare The Speckled Band, The Red Headed League and Silver Blaze as Examples of Detective Fiction1421 Words   |  6 Pagesthese books have been created a long time ago and there is still a demand for these types of books. The popularity is still ongoing because it provides constant entertainment, and also the reader can also have a role of detective trying to solve the crime/case committed. Classical detective fiction has a formula, the detective story starts with a seemingly irresolvable mystery, typically a murder, features the astute, often unconventional detective, a wrongly accused suspect to whom the circumstantialRead MoreThe Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde1291 Words   |  6 PagesThe Victorian era was a period of great change in England in terms of social, political, and even scientific advancement. The country became highly regarded around the world, whereby London was the center of excellence and was characterized by its citizen’s high moral standards. The pressure on Englishmen to maintain a respectable persona among others was so tremendous that often reputations were damaged at the slightest deviation from social norms. Similarly to the faà §ade of England’s perfectionRead MoreOliver Twist: The Battle for Morality831 Words   |  3 PagesThe Battle for Morality in Oliver Twist In Oliver Twist, author Charles Dickens attacks the decomposing morals of Victorian society and law in the form of writing. He addresses major social conflicts and struggles between the rich, who hold positions of power, and the poor and working class who fight for economic justice. In addition, the book is representative of the need for moral values based on the author’s believe that people should not be oppressed, that every person deserves a chance. The