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Shvoong Home>Books>The Sorrows of Young Werther Summary

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The Sorrows of Young Werther

Book Review by: rybcia    

Original Author: Johann Wolfgang Goethe
This abstract was translated from Cierpienia młodego Wertera
The Sorrows of Young Werther is a kind of the epistolary novel,
which has started a new trend in those times- 
the trend towards
unfunfilled love. The main character- young, incredibly sensitive and
sentimental man who has unlucky fallen in love,  become a great idol
for all the young romanticist .In fact, he is neither rich, nor  brave. But  what makes a diference is that Werter is incredibly impulsive individualist and undoubtedly this feature of his character has aroused interest among many young poeple .
Young Werter leaves his hometown, probably just to run away from one, fallen
in love with him girl. Like a great majority of romantic artists
decides to visit another countries, looking for new adventures  and 
inspirations.  Paints  landscapes, reads  Homer''s  writings. Finally
settles in Wahlheim- lovely, little vilage, which  gives him some new
inspirations. Right there, during one of the balls  meets a beautifull
commissioner''s doughter, called Lotta.  He falls in love immadietly and
from this moment  cannot think about  anything different. All the time
analyses her words,  motions  or glimpse.  Even though he knows she is
not  a girl for him (is engaged with Albert, a good-natured
rationalist) Werter  is still looking for some signs, waiting for a 
bit of hope .  He cries,  melts, thinks about diferent situaciones from
the past.  His behaviour is not really typical for a man! When meets
Albert, realizes  that this is a man who is really worth to be  a 
Lotta''s husband. Even though they both love the same woman,  never have
an  argument. On the contrary-  they hold themselves in high esteem.
Whylist thinking about this happy couple Werter decides to leave
Wahlheim and forget about his unfulfilled dream. Starts working for a
deputy , in the neighbouring village,  where is claimed to be  a  very
eccentric person.  Having all the time different arguments with the
citizens has to leave. This time goes back to his hometown. Then
realizes that for him there is not another place as good as Wahlheim in
the world. Decides return there stright after Lotta''s wedding. In fact,
cannot forget about this girl. From now on every person he meets, 
everyday events or even nature (is fed up with coming autumn) makes him
feel depressed. Finally, he realizes that this  unfortunate love can
lead him either to madness, murder or  suicide. He is  not able to
manage with all of that any longer...The main character decides to 
leave this world and  get to the other, better , where will meet his 
dreamed- of Lotta...
The  novel is  a consummation or romanticism''s ideas. Is about all the
trends from this epoch- starting with trends towards traveling, looking
for new adventures, better life, finishing with  the trend toward
suffering from  unfunfilled love.  Undoubtedly, this kind of novel is
made for the people who like analize others life,  focusing on  man''s
interior. I  would also recommend this book for all the people who 
really want to understand the real message of romanticism.

Published: April 18, 2008
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