The Narrator seems to be viewing things from the outside, to be evaluating Werther’s life and letters as a bystander, a researcher; however, he does have some connection to the characters, some insight into their emotions and actions. It was published in the 1770s, and with its dark quixotic themes, it became a major influence to the later Romantic era. The act of introducing a portion of the book as belonging to the Narrator, and including that Narrator suddenly into the plot-line, goes beyond issues of reliability for some readers; it can also be jarring and distracting. It may be frustrating that the reader is only allowed access to Werther’s side of the conversation, but we should remember how closely this story is connected to Werther’s mental and emotional state; what is really the only important factor in this book is the main character’s thoughts, feelings, and reactions. The novel was the foundation on which the German Sturm und Dang (storm and urge) literary style was launched, sporting reckless characters tossed about the seas of love. As to Werther’s suicide, we may confidently assume that Goethe had entertained thoughts of ending his life at times when overmastering emotion resulted in feelings of frustration and defeat. The novel is the story of a sensitive, artistic young man who demonstrates the fatal effects of a predilection for absolutes—whether those of love, art, society, or thought. Werther reached the height of popularity and inspired many young people, even leading them to dress like him. Solitude in this terrestrial paradise is a genial balm to my mind, and the young spring cheers with its bounteous promises my oftentimes misgiving heart. Supposedly, the person who is to commit a copycat suicide is usually moved to act by a report on the TV, or, as history suggests, by the written word. A major work of German romanticism in a translation that is acknowledged as the definitive English language version. Much of the book is autobiographical, reflecting a love triangle that the author found himself in during his youth. Get this from a library! By definition, the copycat suicide is an emulation of the suicide of another person, most likely a famous one. Burgess, Adam. “The Sorrows of Young Werther” is a novel from the German Sturm und Drang and one of the most popular novels in the world history. The Sorrows of Young Werther is mostly made up of a series of letters that Werther, the title character, sends to his friend Wilhelm. Related Articles. Werther and Lotte, from the “The Sorrows of Young Werther”. She eventually rejects Werther, who does not … Does this make him unreliable? Ultimately, each encounter with Werther’s love-interest, Lotte, becomes more detrimental to Werther’s fragile state-of-mind and, with one final visit, one which Lotte had expressly forbidden, Werther reaches his limit. The book is about a young man named Werther who is drowning in love sickness to a girl called Lotte. Corrections? Werther is a compassionate, brilliant, affectionate, helpful, humble young man governed by his principles, which he respects as the basis of life. The story is about Werther’s state of mind, so the development of any other character would largely detract from that purpose. And yet, it does contain a charm of its own. The Sorrows of Young Werther . by : Grace . The Sorrows of Young Werther, novel by J.W. Before the story begins, a dear friend of Werther's has died, and Lotte deals with the loss of her mother to illness. Although the epistolary structure of the novel has been criticized by some, there is reason to appreciate it. Goethe’s novel acts as an argument for the power of nature. the sorrows of young werther viii pantheism (letter of 18th August). Biography of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German Writer and Statesman, 7 Young Adult Novels That Encourage Discussions on Racism, A Well Known Quote Attributed to Goethe May Not Be Actually Be His, Understanding Point of View in Literature, Frankenstein Themes, Symbols, and Literary Devices, Quotes to Help Celebrate World Teachers' Day, Definition and Examples of Narratives in Writing, Examples of Great Introductory Paragraphs, Analysis of 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by C. Perkins Gilman, Leopold Von Sacher-Masoch's 'Venus in Furs' Book Review, 'Invisible Man' Questions for Study and Discussion, Ph.D., English Language and Literature, Northern Illinois University, M.A., English, California State University–Long Beach, B.A., English, Northern Illinois University. An exceptionally popular book, The Sorrows of Young Werther gave expression to what Scottish historian and essayist Thomas Carlyle called “the nameless unrest and longing discontent which was then agitating every bosom.” The mind that conceived its symmetry, wove its intricate linguistic patterns, and handled the subtle differentiation of hero and narrator was moved by a formal as well as a personal passion. In The Sorrows of Young Werther, Werther’s emotions depend on his surrounding environment. Michael Hulse is an acclaimed literary German translator. While having the Narrator there to explain some of Werther’s actions and emotions, to guide the reader through Werther’s final days, is probably necessary, it is a harsh break from the rest of the novel. The Sorrows of Young Werther was impactful in ushering in the romantic age of literature--though Goethe nearly killed it off before it began. He died in 1832. Get this from a library! In almost every letter, Werther mentions his heart: "How strange is the human heart!" The crux of Werther’s Joys and Sorrows is, of course, a woman – a love which cannot be reconciled. The story is told through Werthers letters, mostly send to his friend Wilhelm. He died in 1832. by : Jacob . While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Book One: October 20, 1771-February 20, 1772. It was also relatable to many teens that mimicked Werther’s outfits and actions. Buy Now. Burgess, Adam. 541 words 0 Comments . His “cup over-floweth” and he radiates a sun-like magnitude of warmth and well-being to everyone around him. A Guide to Goethe's "The Sorrows of Young Werther". Des milliers de livres avec la livraison chez vous en 1 jour ou en magasin avec -5% de réduction . When reading the quote from Goethe’s The Sorrow of Young Werther about how things that make a man happy have now become the source of man’s misery, I find a few flaws in his deduction. “The Sorrows of Young Werther” constitutes, much like the title already aptly connotes, the pains of a young man named Werther, as he personally recounts the perennial tragedy of unrequited love, through a series of letters addressed to his friend Wilhelm. Lotte cannot decide between these two men. As to Werther’s suicide, we may confidently assume that Goethe had entertained thoughts of ending his life at times when overmastering emotion resulted in feelings of frustration and defeat. Loosely based on Goethe’s life, The Sorrows of Young Werther follows the melancholic experience and unfortunate events of Werther as he moves from place to place, experiencing the sorrows of life. Among the first—and most notable—examples of Germany's Sturm und Drang movement, The Sorrows of Young Werther was enormously influential upon its publication in 1774, creating a cult of personality around the tragic figure of Werther and causing a sensation in Europe's literary community. The translated title (which uses “Sorrows” instead of “Sufferings”) obscures the allusion to the Passion of Christ and individualizes what Goethe himself thought of as a “general confession,” in a tradition going back to St. Augustine. The sorrows young Werther experienced were a semi-autobiography for Goethe, who was experiencing an emotional breakup at the time. Werther spends his days feeling everything in extremes. (2020, October 29). The many pages devoted to Ossian’s poem (Werther reading the translation to Lotte) is indulgent and unnecessary, but of course that reinforces Werther’s characterization. 'The Sorrows of Young Werther' became an important part of the 'Sturm und Drang movement', and greatly influenced later 'Romanticism'. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s The Sorrows of Young Werther (1774) is not so much a tale of love and romance as it is a chronicle of mental health; specifically, it seems, Goethe is tackling the idea of depression and even (though the term would not have existed then) bi-polar depression. by : Jacob . The whole novel builds to the tragedy of Werther's suicide. The Sorrows of Young Werther published in 1774 was the first autobiographical novel of a twenty-five-year-old author. The sorrows of young Werther. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s The Sorrows of Young Werther (1774) is not so much a tale of love and romance as it is a chronicle of mental health; specifically, it seems, Goethe is tackling the idea of depression and even (though the term would not have existed then) bi-polar depression. 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