The House at Riverton

The House at Riverton is set during the first part of the 20th century in Britain, a period of marked social change, catalyzed by the end of the Victorian era and the disruption of World War I, 1914-1918. Attitudes were divided: Some people embraced the modernizing forces of technology and social movement, while others adopted a more reactionary, conservative attitude. In particular, the role of women, including opportunities for education and non-domestic work, became the focus of much debate and anxiety. In wartime, many women stepped into traditionally male roles—such as Nancy on the railway—to replace men serving in the war. These opportunities were often better paid and afforded more freedom and status than traditional female work. By the end of the war, some of these social changes had become embedded, although many, such as Mr. Hamilton, believed that the old ways should be preserved so that soldiers would return to “the society they remember” (88). In fact, social movement necessitated by the war effort precipitated long-term changes to class and gender structures, eroding the traditional, privileged existence of the upper classes, represented in the novel by the Hartford family. Riverton Manor acts as a microcosm for the novel to explore these issues, with characters such as Hannah, Miss Starling, and Robbie Hunter exemplifying modernity, while Lady Violet, Mr.