This time period was not characterized by social and political changes as England was experiencing industrialization, but by intellectual discoveries (Joshi). Charles Darwin's The Evolution of Species, Sigmund Freud's Psychoanalysis, and Karl Marx's Communism were all published during this time period, which created tensions in Victorian beliefs. These ideas challenged “all pre-existing Victorian values” about “creationism, egocentrism and socio-political hierarchy” (Joshi). With the advent of steam engines, manufacturing, and the laissez-faire economy came an influx of literature with an overarching theme of change or upheaval (“Victorian Literature”). Many writers believed that “fundamental changes taking place in the world signified progress” and were a source of hope and optimism. Others chose to directly address the pressing social problems of the time with the intent of changing them (“Victorian Literature”). In the play, Algernon mocks the quantity of ideas in literature and their quality with phrases such as: “Oh! It's absurd to have a hard and fast rule about what you should read and what you shouldn't. More than half of modern culture depends on what should not be read" (Wilde 1.291). He also expresses his doubts about the validity of the claims in: “The truth is rarely pure and never simple. If it were, modern life would be very boring, and modern literature would be quite impossible! (1,294). The press is criticized when it says: “Literary criticism is not your forte, my dear friend. Don't try it. You should leave that to people who didn't go to college. They do it so well in the newspapers” (1.294). Algernon even uses rapid scientific developments to support his claim to his advantage. When Jack says, "you yourself said that a severe cold was not hereditary," Algernon sarcastically replies, "it wasn't, I know, but I dare say