The novel “The Suffering of Young Werther” (a brief summary is presented below) is the most famous, after “Faust”, the work of the German writer of the 18th century I.V. Goethe. It is about this dramatic narrative, based on real events, that we will discuss in this article.
About the work
The novel was written in 1774. The work is based on a story witnessed by Goethe himself. In 1772, the writer was in Wenceslas, a small town. Here in the office of the imperial court, he was practicing law. Fate brought him to a certain Kestner, who served as secretary of the Hanover embassy. Goethe spent several months in the city and left at the end of the summer. After some time, the writer received a letter from his friend. Kestner reported that their mutual friend Jeruzalem, a young official, committed suicide. The reason for this was unhappy love, feelings of hopelessness and humiliation, as well as dissatisfaction with my position in society.
Goethe decided that this incident can be presented as a tragedy for his generation today. It was then that the writer had the idea of writing a novel.
Genre originality and structure
He turned to the then popular genre of the novel in Goethe's poems. “The sufferings of young Werther” (a brief summary confirms this) is a sentimental novel. And such works very often had one structure - they were composed of numerous writings of the main characters. Our work was no exception.
The novel consists of two parts, each of which, in turn, is composed of letters from Werther himself and the publisher publishing the novel, whose messages are addressed to the reader. The letters of the protagonist are addressed to his faithful friend Wilhelm. Werther describes in them not only the events occurring in his life, but also his feelings and feelings.
The Suffering of Young Werther: Summary
The protagonist is a young man named Werther, he is prone to poetry and painting. The young man settles in a small town, wanting to be alone. Here he communicates with ordinary people, enjoys nature, draws and reads Homer.
Werther is invited to a youth country ball, where he meets a certain Charlotte S., whom he immediately falls in love with. Relatives call the girl Lotta, she is the eldest daughter of Amtman (district chief) of the principality. The mother in their family died early, so Charlotte replaced her for her younger brothers and sisters. The girl was not only beautiful, but also smart.
Love
It is from this moment that the most terrible sufferings of young Werther begin. Summary describes the origin of his love. The young man spends all his free time in Lotta's house, which is located outside the city. He and his lover go to visit the sick pastor, caring for the sick lady. Werther enjoys these visits, as he can be together with Lotta.
However, the young man's love is doomed to suffering due to the fact that Charlotte already has a groom - Albert, who left to get a high position.
Albert Returns
The novel “The Suffering of Young Werther” was written in the framework of the sentimental direction, the brief content of which we are considering, therefore the hero of the work is very emotional, he is not able to restrain his feelings and impulses, he is to disdain reasonableness in actions. That is why Werther captures an unbearable feeling of jealousy when Albert returns. The young man shows his restless disposition: it either runs into rampant gaiety, or it becomes darker than a cloud. Albert is friendly to Werther and tries not to attach importance to such differences.
Birthday
We continue to describe the summary of the "sufferings of young Werther." Werther's birthday is coming. Albert gives him a mysterious bundle. There is a bow from Charlotte's dress, in which the young man saw her for the first time. Werther suffers and comes to the conclusion that he is better off, but the moment of departure is always postponed.
The young man does not tell anyone about his decision. On the eve of departure, he goes to Charlotte. The girl begins to talk about death, recalls her mother and those minutes when they last saw each other. Werther is excited about the girl's story, but still remains firm in his intention to leave.
In a new place
Serious changes are taking place for the protagonist of the novel “The Suffering of Young Werther” (Goethe Johann - author of the work). He is leaving for another city. Here he enters the service of a messenger who is distinguished by pedantry, meticulousness and stupidity. Werther's only friend in the new place is Count von K., who brightens up the loneliness of the young man. It turns out that in this city the prejudices associated with the human estate are very strong. Therefore, Werther now and then have to hear unpleasant remarks about his origin.
The young man meets a girl B., who is somewhat similar to Charlotte. Werther often talks with this girl about his past life, and even talks about Lotta. Society is constantly annoying the young man, and relations with the messenger are deteriorating. As a result, the chief writes a complaint against Werther to the Minister. He in response sends a young man a letter asking him to be less touchy, to leave extravagant ideals and direct his energy in the right direction.
Return
The novel The Suffering of Young Werther (Goethe) continues. And the summary tells about why the main character had to leave his new place of residence, despite the fact that he managed to come to terms with his situation.
Werther was visiting his friend Count von K. and accidentally stayed. At this time, guests began to gather at the Count. According to urban etiquette, there should not be a person of low origin among the noble society. Werther completely forgot about this rule and stayed with the count. In addition, he noticed B., with whom he immediately spoke. However, the young man gradually realized that the public casts sidelong glances at him, and his interlocutor had to make more efforts to maintain a conversation. Realizing this, Werther quickly leaves.
However, the very next day, rumors flooded the city that Werther was expelled by Count von K. Young himself, realizing that this story would end for him being dismissed from service, he decided to resign himself and then leave.
The first thing Werther goes to where he spent his childhood. Here he is given sweet memories. At this time, an invitation comes from the prince, and our hero goes to his possessions, from where he soon leaves, unable to bear the separation from his beloved anymore.
Charlotte lives in the city. During the time that Werther was not, she managed to marry Albert. Now she is happily married. However, the arrival of an old friend brings discord to the family. Lotte sees Werther’s love and sympathizes with him, but it’s hard for her to watch his suffering. The young man himself is constantly in dreams, he would long for sleep forever, so as not to leave the world of dreams and not return to painful reality.
Lotta
Creates images of very vulnerable and impressionable people Goethe I. V. (“The Suffering of Young Werther”) - a brief summary of the story of Henry confirms this. One day, Werther meets a local crazy Henry in the vicinity of the city, who collects poetry for his beloved. It soon turns out that this is none other than the former scribe of Charlotte’s father, who fell in love with a girl and went crazy with inseparable passion.
Werther begins to realize that the image of Charlotte haunts him and torments him. At this confession, the letters of Werther himself break off. The publisher continues to describe the events.
The young man becomes unbearable for others because of his passion. Gradually, the young man becomes stronger in the thought that the only salvation for him is to leave this world. On Christmas Eve, Lotta asks his friend to come to them no sooner than Christmas Eve. However, Werther arrives the very next day. The girl accepts it, they read together. At some point, the young man loses control of himself and approaches Charlotte, who immediately asks him to leave their house.
Denouement
The novel “The Suffering of Young Werther” is drawing to a close. A summary of the chapters describes the final episode of the work. Werther returns home, writes a letter to Lotte and sends a servant to Albert for pistols. At midnight, a shot is heard in the young man's room. The next morning, the servant discovers the still alive Werther and calls the doctor, but it is too late. Albert and Charlotte heavily suffered a message about the death of a friend. They bury him outside the city at the place where Werther wanted to be buried.