C). Technological advances, as well as the gains of imperialism, produced a society with leisure to improve itself.
Explanation:
Victorian Era was noted by the sweeping progress and ingenuity as it was the time of "Industrial Revolution" and thus, numerous technological advancements were the outcome of it. However, these innovations lead to the rapid growth of cities and employed the people which further lead to the crowding of cities yet this provided them with hope and aspiration to fulfill their dreams.
The abolition of "slavery" abolished in 1834 and the establishment of 'People's charter' added to their scope of dreams. Yet, the dissertation of country-life leads to the materialism of thoughts and actions as reflected in "Hard-times" by Charles Dickens. These advancements were also quite reflective of the colonial gains England was cherishing.
