The Victorian era is often thought of as a time when society and its rules were rigid and strict. The term prudish is used very much in reference to this point in time. Morality of the Victorian era is based upon a group of principles or standard of moral conduct including practicing sexual restraint, zero acceptance of criminal activity and a stern demeanor.

Victorian era is thus named after the monarch ruling over England during this period and this particular term was employed for the first time when the Great Exhibition of 1851 too place in London. This was the platform where all that Victorian morality and inventions and discoveries were showcased to the world at large.

Religion, morality, elitist thinking, industrialization, etc all played an important role in the formation of what we today know as the Victorian era morality. It changed England totally by altering the very thread of social interaction, mores and traditions.

Today, the historians view this period in history as a contradiction in terms. On one hand there was utmost abeyance to the dictates of society, exemplified behavior and formality. On the other hand, child labor and prostitution were highly prevalent at the same time.

Thus, a facade of sobriety, sternness and piety was adopted while turning a blind eye to the many evils that were rampant in Victorian England. Religion, which was constant and unshakeable, was beginning to be questioned. The people did not hesitate to ask why.

The advent of industrialization, modernization and the mushrooming of factories, developments in science and the discovery of various continents left a lingering doubt in the minds of people. Commercialism took precedence over everything else.

Hence, the virtues prescribed by religion were named as values, i.e., a morality based conduct and behavior. Values, not prescribed by the church, were changeable and alterable according to practice and peoples wishes.

Ideals were upheld as morals and values. Agnostic way of thinking emerged due to the tremendous and rapid transformation of the countrys economy, development and political situation. The Oxford movement, anti liberal movement, utilitarianism and Marxism came into power unlike anything before.

Thus, the belief that value means utility basis of thought came into being. Nietzsche propounded the theory of nihilism meaning the ultimate emptying of culture and meaninglessness.

The most thought was given to what was respectable. From the aristocracy to the working class, respectability was the topmost thing on everyones minds. Being clean, truthful, and polite and observing the rules of conversation were very important. Philanthropy was also an example of Victorian morality.

Anyone not adhering to the morals dictated was shunned and criticized. Women, especially, were the unwitting victims of this trend for the longest time.