Summary of The Great Books Podcast Episode 370: "The Sorrows of Young Werther" by Goethe
Host: John J. Miller
Guest: Peter Milender, Dean of Religion, Humanities and Global Studies, Professor of Political Science at Houghton University
Introduction
In Episode 370 of The Great Books Podcast, hosted by John J. Miller of National Review, scholar Peter Milender delves into Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's seminal work, The Sorrows of Young Werther. Recorded live from Hillsdale College's campus radio station, WRFH in Michigan, the discussion explores the novel's literary craftsmanship, its place in early Romanticism, and its enduring cultural significance.
Why The Sorrows of Young Werther is a Great Book
Peter Milender highlights multiple facets that confer greatness upon Goethe's novel. While acknowledging its literary artistry and status as a paragon of early Romanticism, Milender emphasizes the novel's exploration of enduring cultural tensions. He articulates:
“There’s this really finely tuned, finely wrought tension between, on the one hand, Goethe wanting us to recognize the value of the perspective that Werther brings to life and also have a kind of critical distance from it.”
— Peter Milender [37:04]
This duality captures the protagonist's romantic yearning for authenticity and interconnectedness with nature against the persistent challenges in human relationships.
Overview of the Novel’s Form and Story
The Sorrows of Young Werther employs an epistolary format, consisting solely of letters penned by Werther to his friend Wilhelm. Milender explains the significance of this choice:
“The novel consists of these letters up until the very end. … it almost creates a kind of claustrophobic feeling for the reader, because you’re trapped inside his head as well.”
— Peter Milender [07:36]
Werther, a passionate young painter, travels to resolve his family's inheritance disputes while seeking personal rejuvenation. His journey leads him to Charlotte (Lotte), a young woman already engaged to Albert. Their deep emotional connection, despite Lotte's commitment, sets the stage for the novel's tragic trajectory.
Character Analysis: Werther, Lotte, and Albert
Werther: Portrayed as the quintessential Romantic hero, Werther embodies intense emotion and a longing for wholeness. Milender notes his struggle to navigate societal conventions in pursuit of authenticity:
“Werther, who is this romantic person of emotion and passion and feeling and the heart, and Albert, who’s a little more of the sensible kind of bourgeois, rational one.”
— Peter Milender [12:00]
Lotte: Lotte represents domestic harmony and moral steadfastness. Despite her apparent attraction to Werther, she remains loyal to Albert, highlighting the novel's exploration of duty versus passion.
Albert: Serving as a foil to Werther, Albert epitomizes rationality, stability, and societal conformity. His character underscores the novel’s tension between Romantic idealism and bourgeois sensibility.
Themes: Unrequited Love, Suicide, and Romanticism
Unrequited Love: Werther's profound yet unattainable love for Lotte drives the narrative. Both characters experience mutual attraction, complicating Werther's emotional turmoil.
Suicide: The novel culminates in Werther's deliberate suicide, a subject of intense controversy. Milender discusses the nuanced portrayal:
“It's very hard to read that and think, oh, that sounds like a pleasant way to go. I think Goethe is encouraging me to do that.”
— Peter Milender [27:18]
While Werther rationalizes his suicide as a means to escape insurmountable despair, Goethe also depicts the grim reality of the act, suggesting a critical stance rather than endorsement.
Romanticism: Aligning with early Romanticism's emphasis on emotion and individualism, Werther embodies the movement's ideals. Milender situates the novel within the "Sturm und Drang" period, contrasting it with later Romanticism's reaction against industrialization.
Reception and Impact of the Novel
Upon its 1774 release, Werther became an immediate sensation, catapulting Goethe to European literary stardom. Milender cites numerous instances of the novel’s widespread influence:
“There was a kind of a fad for people to dress up like Werther. … Napoleon had read it. ... he was a big fan.”
— Peter Milender [23:28]
The novel's popularity was such that it reportedly inspired imitative suicides, reflecting its profound emotional resonance and controversial themes.
Goethe’s Legacy in Literature
Peter Milender underscores Goethe's towering status in German literature, attributing much of his acclaim to Werther. Goethe's prolific career spanned various genres, including poetry, drama, scientific treatises, and political engagement. Notably, his magnum opus, Faust, further cemented his legacy as a central figure in European literary tradition.
Relevance Today
Milender draws parallels between Werther and contemporary digital culture, likening Werther's personal letters to modern social media narratives:
“You imagine yourself into that person’s shoes, but at the same time you almost inevitably kind of ask yourself, is it real?”
— Peter Milender [37:04]
The novel's exploration of authentic self-presentation versus underlying emotional struggles remains pertinent, resonating with today's audiences grappling with the complexities of digital identity and interpersonal connections.
Conclusion
The Sorrows of Young Werther endures as a literary masterpiece due to its intricate portrayal of emotional depth, its reflection of societal tensions, and its influence on both contemporaneous and modern audiences. Peter Milender's insightful analysis on The Great Books Podcast illuminates the novel's multifaceted significance, affirming its place within the Western literary canon.
Notable Quotes:
“...you are able to see their own lives in today.”
— Peter Milender [37:04]
“Werther has some trouble dealing with the world in general. … a real social obstacle.”
— Peter Milender [06:37]
“The novel consists of these letters up until the very end.”
— Peter Milender [07:36]
“I think Goethe is encouraging me to do that.”
— Peter Milender [27:18]