48 pages • 1 hour read
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheThe Sorrows of Young Werther
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1774A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is a semi-autobiographical epistolary novel about Werther, a sensitive young man who moves to Wahlheim and falls deeply in love with Lotte, a woman engaged to another man. His unrequited love leads to intense emotional suffering and a downward spiral. The novel explores themes of passion, individualism, and society's constraints, ultimately culminating in tragic consequences. This novel includes references to suicidal ideation and death by suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe evokes strong emotional responses, praised for its profound exploration of unrequited love and the impact of intense emotions. Critics admire its lyrical prose and vivid descriptions, although some find the protagonist's extreme sensitivity and melancholy overwhelming. Themes of romanticism and personal expression resonate deeply, yet the storyline's intensity might not appeal to all readers.
Who Should Read The Sorrows of Young Werther?
A reader who would enjoy The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe typically appreciates Romantic literature, introspective narratives, and profound emotional depth. Similar to readers of Rousseau's Julie, or the New Heloise and Hesse's Steppenwolf, they revel in themes of unrequited love, existential angst, and expressive prose.