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Books play a shifting role for Werther. When he is happy (that is, when he is with Lotte), he ignores them utterly. When he is sad, he turns to them for solace. Either way, he recognizes that he should be reading them and better attending to his studies, but he finds it difficult to do so in the face of his feelings. At the end of their friendship, Werther reads extensively to Lotte from his own translations of Ossian, and the pair descend into a fit of tears. Previously, Werther had abandoned books in Lotte’s presence. That he now picks them up again with her symbolizes that he will no longer find happiness through his love for Lotte.
Books Quotes in The Sorrows of Young Werther
The The Sorrows of Young Werther quotes below all refer to the symbol of Books. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Book 1: Jun 16, 1771
Quotes
When I was younger there was nothing I loved better than novels. God knows how good it felt to be able to sit in some corner on a Sunday and share with my whole heart in Miss Jenny's happiness and sorrows. Nor do I deny that that kind of writing still has its charms for me. But since I so rarely come by a book, it has to be one that is quite to my taste. And I like that author best who shows me my own world, conditions such as I live in myself and a story that can engage my interest and heart as much as my own domestic life does.
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Books Symbol Timeline in The Sorrows of Young Werther
The timeline below shows where the symbol Books appears in The Sorrows of Young Werther. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Book One: May 4-13, 1771
...around him ends up distracting Werther from things he used to enjoy, such as reading books and drawing. He playfully expresses concern about this to Wilhelm, yet he seems content in...
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...opens with Werther responding to Wilhelm, who has asked if he ought to forward Werther’s books to him. It’s an idea that Werther doesn’t even pretend to entertain: he no longer...
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Book One: June 16, 1771
Werther does, however, recall the books that Lotte mentions reading to her aunt. Like Werther, Lotte is an avid reader. The...
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...and wanted to take her mind—and everyone else’s—off of it. The topic then switches to books, as they both recall a poem that reminds them of the strange beauty of springtime...
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Book One: August 15-September 10, 1771
...Wilhelm that whatever comfort nature once provided him is completely gone now, and even his books make him feel sick. He claims to again be considering going to work for the...
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...of Homer that he can easily take with him on his walks. Lotte wrapped the book using one of the ribbons she wore when she first met Werther. Werther compares the...
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Book Two: March 15-May 25, 1772
...the other guests. Werther leaves without having to be asked, instead choosing to read the book Lotte gave him while watching the sunset. Later, he learns from Adelin, a coworker, that...
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...sure he can trust them. Furthermore, the Prince himself seems only to care about Werther’s book-learning and not about his feelings. In response to this, Werther tells Wilhelm that anyone can...
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Book Two: November 8-December 6, 1772
...he remembers that unrequited love is often a theme taken up by ancient poets. Their books, he reminds himself, sometimes feel as though they are addressing him directly.
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Book Two: December 20-21, 1772
...so, but the sadness of the tale moves them both to tears. Werther casts the book aside and embraces Lotte, who accepts his embrace until he begins to kiss her. At...
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