Primary sourceDiary entryApril 1772
Wanderer's Storm Song Manuscript
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe · April 1772
Goethe's handwritten draft of his Sturm und Drang poem 'Wanderer's Storm Song', written in April 1772.
Goethe's own handwritten draft of his poem, revealing his creative process as a young writer.
About this source
What it is
This is a photograph of Goethe's own handwritten manuscript page of the poem Wanderer's Storm Song, written in April 1772. The page shows German cursive script with crossed-out words and ink bleeding through from the other side of the paper.
Why it matters
This draft shows the young Goethe at work during the Sturm und Drang period, a movement in German literature known for strong emotion and individualism. Seeing his crossed-out words lets us glimpse his writing process, not just the finished poem.
Look closer
- What do the crossed-out words suggest about how Goethe revised his writing?
- Why might a handwritten draft tell us something a printed poem cannot?
- What does the ink bleed-through tell you about the materials Goethe used?
This diary entry is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
More Johann Wolfgang von Goethe sources
Meet the AI Johann Wolfgang von Goethe →Primary source
Faust
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe · drafted 1770s-1831
PaintingPrimary source
Goethe Line Engraving by Radclyffe after Stieler
E. Radclyffe after J. K. Stieler · 1828
BookPrimary source
The Sorrows of Young Werther
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe · 1774
PaintingPrimary source
Lithograph Portrait of Goethe by Jagemann and Nanette
F. Jagemann and Nanette · c. 1818
Primary source
Der Erlkönig
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe · 1782
Ready when you are
Start chatting with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe now.
20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.