Suicide is not a rational answer to man's suffering. Von Goethe himself exhorts his reader "to be a man and not follow Werther (13)." It is hard to give Werther's character sympathy for a self-destructive tendency. Even Lotte can perceive his ruinous path: "Do you not sense that you are deceiving yourself and willing your own destruction? (115)." Rather than being a man and admitting his culpability, he acts like a child. Werther's disposition supports his decision for taking his own life. It is not uncommon for an artist with ". . . a soft heart and a fiery imagination (13)" to take their own life. Werther sees suicide as strength rather than weakness. In his argument with Albert over this question he states ". . . in my opinion it would be as misconceived to call a man cowardly for taking his own life as it would be to say a man who dies of a malignant fever was a coward (62)." Werther identifies with children and esteems himself for his charitable donations. He boasts to his friend that "[t]he common people of the town already know and love me, the children in particular (28)." He is a daydreamer and, like a child, often over-dramatizes his troubles. In his March 16th letter he complains: "Everything is conspiring against me (82)." He stretches the truth and exaggerates reality. Months later he acknowledges that he does not suffer alone. "At times I say to myself: your fate is unique; consider other mortals as happynone has ever been as tormented as you.Then I read the work of an ancient poet and it is as if I were contemplating my own heart. I have so much to endure! Ah, have ever men before me been so miserable? (101)." Werther is aware of his self-absorption, but he cannot control his turbulent heart. He admits to ". . .treating my poor heart like an ailing child; every whim is granted (28)." Werther states in his first letter, "How happy I am to be away! My friend, what a thing is the heart of man! (25)." He is like ...
