When Nietzsche Wept

When Nietzsche Wept is an inspiring novel that exhibits many of the perspectives from different theorists touched on throughout this semester. One such perspective is the existential one, and how it is related to Breuer’s behaviors and beliefs about responsibility and choice. All of Breuer’s life had been based around expectations that he placed on himself through external influence. In the novel, Nietzsche and Breuer uncover that this is was from aspects of life such as culture, and the expectations that society places on individuals. Breuer grew up Jewish, and like all his peers, wanted to grow out of the ghetto, have money, and meet all the markers for what they defined as success. Breuer never gave much thought to choosing something other

than this, and comes to the realization through Nietzsche, that his life seems like an accident. Breuer obtained everything he seemingly wanted, and yet felt so much despair. Breuer felt it was his responsibility to care for others, and reach these high goals such as important discoveries in the field of science. For this reason, Breuer felt great anxiety that he reached his peak, and there was nothing left for him. He realized he did not make choices, but followed what he thought was what he was meant to do. For this reason, he felt plagued by his mundane life, and felt he was no longer the young boy with endless possibilities. This of course was unveiled through the help of Nietzsche. The turning point for Breuer was after the walk through the cemetery, when Freud hypnotizes Breuer. Breuer finally takes charge, and makes his own choices to leave all his life behind and be who he was really meant to be. Ironically, coming out of the trance, Breuer realizes that he can make a choice now, and he can choose to live freely and no longer live in the shadow he has for so many years without leaving everything behind. From the existential theoretical perspective, there is a need for balance between freedom and responsibility. Freedom is what Breuer seeks. Freedom is described as the ability to have different possibilities in one’s mind and the capacity to understand that he is the determined one. I believe this is the source of anxiety for Breuer, and it is only through facing this reality that he can regain choice and obtain freedom. By assuming responsibility for his actions, Breuer was finally able to achieve this balance, though he needed to face the anxiety that this brought. A component of existentialism is searching for truth by living active and authentic lives. Breuer lived so unauthentically for so long, it took a lot for him to finally choice to live this way. By looking at his behaviors and beliefs about choice and responsibility regarding existentialism, we can understand the struggle he had for so long and well as what it took to set himself free.
A theoretical perspective that we touched on and is highlighted in this novel is the idea of behaviorism.

I believe that behaviorism described by B. F. Skinner can help to understand the interpersonal relationship patterns that exist within Nietzsche. Behaviorism is all about an antecedent (situation/environment in which a behavior takes place), a behavior, and a consequence (that will make the behavior more or less likely to occur in the future). Although Nietzsche was an unique individual, with evidence of reaching a high state of being, I believe behaviorism also has played a role in the pattern of his interpersonal relationships. Nietzsche from a young age has been afraid of betrayal and forming intimate relationships with trust. His mother was very cold. When Nietzsche attempted to interact with his mother in a familial way, she distanced herself and was very cold. When Nietzsche tried to develop trust and intimacy with his mother (behavior), she was cold (consequence). This form of positive punishment resulted in the addition of an aversive stimulus: coldness. This behavior of developing intimate and trusting relationships was therefore less likely to occur in the future. Similarly, Nietzsche describes his relationship with his sister, who was also very manipulative and cold. Similar to his mother, this coldness resulted in the behavior of trusting and developing relationships with others to be less likely to occur in the future. Wagner, though this was not explained

in great length, also betrayed Nietzsche. The most recent influence into this pattern was with Paul Rée and more importantly, Lou Salomé. After the unhealthy interpersonal relationships with those close to him, Lou and Paul both offered intimate and trusting relationships that Nietzsche has always yearned for. When he let his guard down and proceeded to trust and build a relationship with these individuals, he felt betrayal once more. He lost two close friends and the only woman he has ever loved. What is worse this time is that he received the intimate relationships that he longed for, and proceeded to keep building these relationships and feel fulfilled, the friendship ended and he felt betrayed. This is an example of negative punishment because the behavior of him trusting and building a relationship that he enjoyed very much with these individuals was removed. These occurrences of both positive and negative punishment, made Nietzsche less likely to engage in the behavior of trusting and proceeding to develop relationships with individuals around him. I believe that this can explain the way in which Nietzsche interacted with Breuer. Nietzsche’s behavior can be understood by his history of operant conditioning, specifically how punishment has made his behavior of engaging in relationships less likely to occur in the future. I believe this explains his hesitation with Breuer, and explains the way in which he guarded himself so much throughout most of the novel.
When Nietzsche Wept touches on a theoretical perspective that can be seen throughout the novel involving Freudian perspective, specifically, the behaviors and thoughts of Breuer that provide examples of the Id, Ego, and Superego.

According to Freud, all three are simultaneously influencing our behavior and thoughts. The Id is completely unconscious and possess the sole function of seeking pleasure. This pleasure principle is illogical, has no morality, and ultimately seeks pleasure without regard for what is proper or just. Examples of this can been seen through the thoughts that Breuer has about both Bertha and Lou. Bertha for Breuer was a very complex relationship, and it took a long time to uncover the underlying meaning of Bertha within the novel. However, an example of Id can be seen here. Although half his age, he is physiologically aroused and enticed by Bertha. His endless fantasies all contain sexual thoughts of pleasure with Bertha. Similarly, Lou is a young attractive woman to Breuer. For Breuer, although he is married, he is instantly aroused and attracted to her, and even admits he is not sure why she had such a strong effect on him. Although logically, Breuer knows these are not logical or acceptable thoughts, he feels almost compulsive with them, which is a great example of his Id. He is unconsciously driven to pleasure and can barely contain his physiological arousal and sexual desires. The Superego is the moral and ideal aspect of personality. Two components

of this involve the conscience and ego-ideal. The conscience tells us what we should not do and the ego-ideal tells us what we should do. An example of this is when Breuer controls his sexual impulse with Eva. He is under the impression that she is offering herself to him. Although his Id is seeking pleasure, his Superego is repressing these impulses as it strives for perfection. The Ego is partly conscious and unconscious. This is known as the reality principle. It attempts to reconcile the Id and the superego. It is the only part of the mind in contact with reality. The Ego continuously tries to meet the demands of the Id and Superego. An example of this would be early sessions between Nietzsche and Breuer. Breuer so badly wanted to tap into Nietzsche’s mind, to help him with his illness. Breuer wanted to move from just looking at the medical aspect of the illness, and really get to the psychological root and provide talk therapy. Nietzsche was very hesitant. The Id wanted Breuer to just ask what he wanted to ask and obtain the pleasure of fixing Nietzsche (like what has been unconsciously reinforced for so long practicing as a physician). His instinct was to just ask and go for it, but Breuer knew the reality of this, and knew he would have to carefully interact with Nietzsche to reach his final goal. All these examples help understand Breuer and his personality throughout the novel. All these forces at play shape the way in which Breuer experiences the world around him. It provides great insight into the regions of being and how each influences the other, and ultimately Breuer as a whole.