The Victorian Era describes things and events in the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). Victoria was just 18 years old when she became queen upon the death of her uncle William IV in 1837. Many people today believe that the Victorian Era is really connotations of prudish, old-fashioned, and very traditional. But, the Victorian Era is very paradoxical and very complex.

In religion, the Victorians experienced a great age of doubt. On a large scale, there were many questions into Christianity and the status of society. One of them, was Friedrich Nietzsche's (1844-1900). He saw a civilization so self-confident over its mastery of science, technology, politics, and economics that for it "God is dead," and that "belief in the Christian God has become unworthy of belief." Without a theological and religious education, he realized, virtues would become "values," social conventions that could be debated and modified whenever convenience wanted. The moral system of European civilization is founded on Judaism and Christianity. He believed, once this foundation is removed, the structure would start to crumble. He predicted, "there will be wars such as there have never been on earth before." "C

We have to remember that the Victorian moral revival could not have been manipulated by political and economic powers of the time. How could they originate it or control it? No one could have conceived where it would lead. Hell, even today we are still playing by Nietzsche's rules. We talk about establishing values, not discovering virtues. At that time, it was just the same phenomenon. It is doubtful that it was artificial, but actually a movement for reform that manifested itself into various plays, books, and ideologies. People could conjure up some values, morals, and laws to serve their interests. Case in point, the non-rights of women. They may well succeed in conjuring up something, but maybe not exactly what they expect. Case in point, the feminism movement and people like Ibsen's work.

HELMER: It's shocking. This is how you would neglect your most sacred duties.

NORA: What do you consider my most sacred duties?

HELMER: Before all else, you are a wife and a mother.

On the other hand, maybe he feels that women have been pushed too far. Nora herself says "it is a thing hundreds of thousands of women have done" in response to Helmer's exclamation that he "[wouldn't] sacrifice his honor for the one he loves." (Bottom of Page 66, top of 67) Maybe Ibsen has a pessimistic view in that women will remain at the same social status and continue to be the keeper's of homes, the entertainer's of men, and the bearer's of children. Perhaps he believes that very few women have the courage and integrity that Nora does. Possibly, but less likely, Ibsen might have a nihilistic view that the social structure of families will collapse because women will do (somewhat) what Nora did. They will try and liberate themselves.

HELMER: Do

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Approximate Word count = 1180
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)