The Sorrows of Young Werther

In The Sorrows of Young Werther, Goethe portrays 18th-century German society as rigid, where social class determines one’s interactions and opportunities. Through Werther’s experiences, Goethe explores how class distinctions and societal constraints shape human connections and influence individual behaviors. Moreover, he connects the problem of social conventions to a moribund aesthetic practice, based on rules rather than responding to nature. It is Werther’s self-declared status as an artist of a more authentic kind, better attuned to nature, that puts him at odds with much of society.

During Werther’s time in Wahlheim, he observes the strict adherence to social norms and the reluctance of individuals to cross class boundaries. The villagers maintain a sense of distance and exclusivity among themselves. Werther laments the limitations the divide imposes on genuine human connection and rails against the middle class’s reluctance to engage with the working class. He also believes they find contentment in their simplicity and connection to nature. While he does think of himself as apart from the views of society around him, this romanticized view of the peasantry as carefree and idyllic reveals his inherent biases and paternalistic attitudes.

On the other hand, he has an overtly pessimistic view of the upper classes and aristocracy, calling it “this glittering misery” (75). Their world is depicted as being one of competition and cruelty: “They are forever watchful and alert for gain or precedence” (75). His time among them while working as the assistant to the ambassador contrasts directly with the peasantry. His discomfort with the aristocracy stems from his feelings of inferiority and the realization that they treat him with the same condescension that he exhibits toward the lower class. Werther’s employment with the ambassador exposes him to the posturing and condescension of the upper class, leading to his disdain for their pretensions. Werther’s rejection of the upper class reflects a complex interplay of social dynamics and personal insecurities, highlighting the multifaceted nature of class-based interactions.

Werther is an extreme version of the 18th century’s interest in sensibility and emotion. He takes his quest for authenticity to socially and personally disruptive lengths, suggesting that Goethe himself holds a more nuanced view of passion and emotion. Werther’s ability to play out his passionate drama is, moreover, linked to his middle-class status and privileges. His class provides him with means, leisure time, and a degree of social mobility, allowing him to take a superior view of his lower-class neighbors. This showcases the privileged and limited perspective that pervades his entire narration. He challenges the notion of unquestioningly adhering to societal rules and argues that conformity stifles individuality. In this belief and his adherence to it, he disregards the potential harm he may cause by deliberately breaking these societal constraints. For example, his attempt to transcend class boundaries by attending a party reserved for the upper class results in gossip and criticism, reinforcing the consequences of defying societal expectations. Even his friendship with Miss von B. is met with harsh criticism from her peers, illustrating the repercussions of associating across class lines. Werther’s delusions of acceptance by the aristocracy only exacerbate his feelings of inadequacy and resentment toward them. The novel shows the inherent biases and inequalities embedded in society’s fabric through Werther. In the 18th century, the class structure in Europe was finally beginning to break away from earlier feudal-based systems, but the prevailing attitudes regarding class still followed the old patterns. While Werther likes to think of himself as different from the people around him, he is still very much constrained by the attitudes of his time and culture.