The Sorrows of Young Werther

At first, his newfound love for Lotte appears to be just one part of the “pleasures” of life in Wahlheim. Werther’s June 21 letter returns to his philosophical musings about human nature, noting people’s eagerness for discoveries and the subsequent inclination to return to their familiar surroundings. He once again emphasizes the virtues of leading a simple life and activities such as gathering peas from the garden, shelling them, and preparing his meals. He draws a parallel to the ancient heroes of Homer, suggesting that he experiences a similar genuine sense of happiness by embracing a humble and self-sufficient life. Werther parallels the simplicity of his interactions with Lotte’s siblings and the farmer’s fulfillment in eating his own produce.

The June 29 letter muses on the delights of spending time with children, particularly Lotte’s younger siblings. The town physician is a “pedantic jack-fool” in his disapproval of Werther’s romping with the children at Lotte’s house, but Werther, for his part, takes children as “models” for authentic life.

The longer July 1 letter describes several conversations he and Lotte had with others in the area before she went to stay with a dying friend. He recounts a recent visit he and Lotte made to the vicar and his wife.