The Editor to the Reader Summary

Werther is dead. An editor who is producing a narrative of Werther's story tells the reader of the careful steps he is taking in the compilation of all the documents that remain from the departed. These documents include unsent letters and notes found in his personal affects. The editor also talked with some of Albert's friends to confirm details of Werther's final days.

A murder has taken place in Wahlheim—the farmhand of a local lady has been found dead. Werther suspects the murderer to be the ex-farmhand who was in love with the widowed lady. Werther goes to investigate and finds that he is correct. As they are taking the ex-farmhand away, he tells Werther that if he could not have her then she could have no one else. Werther relates to the...