The Sorrows of Young Werther Summary
Description
Here you will find a The Sorrows of Young Werther summary (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.
P.S.: As an Amazon Associate, we earn money from purchases made through links in this page. But the summaries are totally free!
Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024
Chapters
Chapters
The Sorrows of Young Werther Summary Overview
A young, academically inclined gentleman sets out to make his living and leave an imprint on the world. His kin anticipate him to secure employment, and his mate, Wilhelm, aids him in seeking opportunities within governmental service. Despite this, the young man harbors aspirations of becoming an artist, an occupation that doesn’t financially provide but aligns with his profound observational and imaginative abilities. He departs his home in spring 1771 and maintains communication with Wilhelm through letters over the following twenty months as he journeys. As he navigates life, the young man illustrates the dull routine of everyday life offset by the grandeur of the natural world. He finds solace in the spectacular views of nature from his otherwise introspective and somber thoughts. On a property managed by his family, he becomes friends with the local inhabitants and is particularly attached to children. However, he yearns for the mental stimulation he received from educated society. After moving to Walheim, he encounters Charlotte, the attractive offspring of a local judge. Charlotte, who is engaged to a successful entrepreneur, Albert, was entrusted with the care of her nine siblings following the passing of their mother. The young man is instantly smitten by Charlotte, and despite respecting the boundaries of their friendship, he becomes increasingly obsessed with her. Upon relocating to the court to serve as an attaché to an ambassador in autumn, he invests himself in his work but finds himself at conflict with the culture of the court. He soon resigns from his position due to the resulting social exclusion and criticism following his disregard for class protocols. He spends his time honing his artistic skills while contemplating his future. His melancholic thoughts inevitably return to Charlotte, and despite learning of her marriage to Albert, his love for her remains. A series of unfortunate events, including the passing of a child he was fond of and the loss of beautiful walnut trees, only escalate his suicidal thoughts. His behavior becomes unstable, and Charlotte is forced to limit their interactions. Despite her efforts to maintain their friendship, the young man, unable to live without Charlotte, decides to end his life. His suicide leaves a profound impact, with his burial being devoid of any mourners or clergy.
preface
The narrative opens by presenting the reader with Werther, a character deserving of their affection, respect and compassion. An anonymous storyteller engages directly with the reader, encouraging them to feel these sentiments towards Werther.
book 1
Werther, a budding artist, writes to his friend Wilhelm about his peaceful life in a nobleman's estate, where he relishes the serenity and beauty of nature, drawing inspiration for his art. He finds solace in observing the daily routines of the townsfolk near a fountain and immerses himself in the tranquility of his surroundings. Despite Wilhelm's offer to send books, Werther prefers the calming effect of Homer's poetry, admitting that his mood swings often between happiness and melancholy. Werther's social interactions are mostly fleeting, as the locals view his friendly demeanor with suspicion. He enjoys simple pleasures like eating and drinking with them, yet longs for intellectual stimulation. A university graduate named V— visits Werther to discuss art theories, but Werther is uninterested. He plans to accept an invitation from a retired district judge who recently lost his wife. Moving to a small cottage in Walheim, Werther spends his afternoons reading Homer's poetry and sketching scenes he encounters, such as two young boys in the square. He becomes attached to the boys and their mother, and becomes intrigued by a young peasant's passionate love story, longing for a similar experience. After a two-week silence, Werther reveals to Wilhelm that he's smitten with a woman named Charlotte, whom he met at a country ball. Despite being warned that Charlotte is engaged to a wealthy man named Albert, Werther is taken by her intelligence and vivacious personality. After the ball, Charlotte invites Werther to call on her as a friend, a prospect that greatly excites him. Unable to resist the attraction, Werther starts visiting Charlotte daily, engaging with her siblings and even accompanying her on visits to a local vicar. Despite some minor incidents where Werther's sensitivity leads to misunderstandings, he remains captivated by Charlotte's charm. Werther becomes distressed when he realizes his apparent unrequited feelings for Charlotte. Despite his growing insecurity and occasional suicidal thoughts, he declines a job opportunity from Wilhelm to stay near Charlotte. He also struggles to complete a portrait of her, unable to capture her true essence. When Albert permanently moves to Walheim, Werther struggles with his feelings for Charlotte. He and Albert, despite their differing temperaments, become friends due to their shared love for Charlotte. Werther contemplates ending his deep attachment to Charlotte, likening it to amputating a limb to save one's life. Albert and Werther engage in a debate about suicide, with Werther arguing that it's a cure for existential despair. Despite his despair over Charlotte's impending marriage, Werther continues his visits. He becomes a beloved figure to Charlotte's siblings due to his storytelling skills. However, the thought of losing his shared life with Charlotte plunges him deeper into gloom. On his birthday, Albert and Charlotte gift him a set of Homer volumes and a pink ribbon, further fueling his obsession with Charlotte. Finally, Werther decides to leave Walheim, saying a tearful goodbye to Charlotte and Albert without revealing his departure plans.
book 2
From October to January, Werther moves to the court to work as an aide to the ambassador, a nitpicking career bureaucrat. The new job helps Werther understand his capabilities. Count C— and Werther develop a good working relationship, which annoys the ambassador. Werther defends the count against the ambassador's criticism and dismisses the obsession with class rank. He starts dating Miss B—, a woman of nobility. As winter sets in, Werther grows disillusioned with the court. A complaint from the ambassador results in Werther getting reprimanded. He considers quitting until the count writes him a supportive letter. On February 20, Albert informs Werther of his marriage to Charlotte. In March, Werther's disregard for class distinctions gets him into trouble at a social event at the count’s home. He is eventually asked to leave. The incident becomes a scandal and Werther is ostracized. Miss B— confronts him for damaging her reputation. Werther goes through a period of extreme emotional turbulence and even contemplates suicide. From May to July, Werther quits his job and stops at his birthplace on his way to stay with a prince. He reflects on his life’s disappointments. At the prince’s court, he hopes to secure a prestigious army appointment but the prince discourages him. Werther then expresses a desire to be near Charlotte again. In late July, Werther returns to Walheim and reconnects with familiar faces. His feelings for Charlotte intensify, and he imagines himself as her husband. Meanwhile, he sympathizes with a young peasant who had lost everything due to uncontrolled passion. By September, Werther oversteps boundaries with Charlotte, reading a love letter meant for Albert. The incident strains their relationship. Werther also mourns the loss of beloved walnut trees and the death of the old vicar. He grows increasingly obsessed with Charlotte and sees himself in the tragic hero of an epic poem. By November, Werther's depression is severe. He drinks heavily and contemplates suicide. Charlotte and Albert's attitudes toward him change. He encounters a man, Henry, whose mental illness strikes a chord with him. In December, Werther learns that Henry was dismissed due to his infatuation with Charlotte, mirroring his situation. An incident involving a peasant man's violent crime and his impassioned defense of the man further strains his relationship with Albert and Charlotte. Werther's depression deepens, and he makes a plan to end his life. In his final days, Werther shares a passionate kiss with Charlotte but she quickly distances herself. On December 20, Werther plans his suicide, writes a goodbye letter to Charlotte and visits her one last time. Later, using a borrowed pistol from Albert, he shoots himself, and dies the next day. His body is quietly buried as per his request.
