The Sorrows of Young Werther: A Manifesto
Why Werther?
I read Goethe’s “The Sorrows of Young Werther” last year and realized there’s more to it than meets the eye. It punched me right in the gut, because it revolves around a man questioning his own existence. On its surface, it’s a tragic story of unrequited love that ends in a suicide. A young man named Werther finds and falls in love with a woman who is already engaged and taken. As much as he loves the woman, Charlotte, he can never have her. Published in 1774, Goethe goes really deep in the book covering philosophy, psychology, existentialism and more. Anyone who has ever been heart broken or wanting something so bad yet still not get it can empathize with Werther.
WHY NOW?
It’s been a solid year since I’ve read the “The Sorrows of Young Werther,” I’ve only written a few essays on it. This book was actually a very emotionally touching book for me to read. Only being a little over 100 pages long and often called the greatest short novel ever, there is a lot to unpack here. Extending myself to reading and writing about other books in philosophy and literature has not allowed me as much time as I’d like to further analyze this book. I figure now is the best time as any to dig deeper into the intellectual, personal, and emotional aspects of this book.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
I’ve always written about philosophy and classical literature since I’ve started writing and publishing my newsletter. Topics of existentialism, authenticity, and people’s emotions in the modern world have become incredibly popular. People, including myself, crave more authenticity from people, things and ideas. People are tired of fakeness and propaganda. That’s what my essay posts covering Goethe’s “The Sorrows of Young Werther” will be about: less fluff, and rawer.
WHAT I’M GOING TO DO?
publish at least every other Wednesday a deep and polished essay regarding Goethe’s “Sorrows of Young Werther” regarding its philosophic, psychologic, and literary dynamics
occasionally drop a short essay on off weeks
continue writing a few Notes throughout the week
I’ll still publish essays on Nietzsche and other philosophy topics every now and then, but this series on Werther will be my main focus for now