“In the evening, after the hour of contemplation, Siddhartha said to Govinda: “Tomorrow morning, my friend, Siddhartha will go to the shramanas. He will become a shramana.” (8)
In the first quote I selected, Siddharta refers to himself in the third person when telling Govinda that he will leave his family and community to become a shramana. This emphasizes the idea that Siddhartha had an almost “out-of-body” experience in order to have the realization that he desires to join the shramanas on his journey towards enlightenment. He took a step back and upon evaluating his life, believed that the brahmins had taught him everything they had to teach. This also characterizes Siddhartha as a very well thought out person, analyzing every aspect of a situation before it happens. In the second quote, Siddhartha refers to himself in the third person again, this time while speaking to his father when he says, “‘Siddhartha has always obeyed his father...Siddhartha will do what his father tells him’” (10). In this particular quote, Siddhartha’s words are directly contradicting his actions. Siddhartha’s father learns more about his son when he sees that “Siddhartha’s knees were shaking slightly. But he saw no wavering in Siddhartha’s face. The eyes were fixed on the distance. Then the father realized that Siddhartha was already no longer home with him, that he had left him already” (10). As mentioned above, Siddhartha has already begun his journey prior to actually leaving his home. He exhibits that a journey is not solely defined as physically leaving home and travelling somewhere; he shows that a journey begins when the mind moves on from the activities and traditions of home (in this case, the teachings of the brahmins). This can also be tied into the truism that “flight is freedom”. Although Siddhartha is obviously not flying, when he opens his mind to teachings outside of the brahmins of his city, he “flies” away from his home before physically leaving; he no longer feels tied down to the teachings of the brahmins which accompanied his discontent with life. This shows how his newfound freedom can help him advance further on the path toward enlightenment. The motif of a mental journey also supports another one of our classroom maxims, “The real reason for any quest if always self-knowledge”. Siddhartha longs to find a deeper purpose in life, and by embarking on his spiritual journey, he permits himself to truly begin down his path toward enlightenment.
Something I found interesting in the beginning of Siddhartha was the dreamlike atmosphere that was created at the beginning of the novel, but quickly ended when Siddhartha went to join the samanas. It begins the first sentence, “In the shade of the house, in the sunshine near the boats on the riverbank, in the shade of the fig tree, Siddhartha grew up-the beautiful son of the Brahmin.”(1) This beautiful imagery describes Siddhartha almost as a god in a dreamlike world. Another quote that suggests his Godlike nature is, “His forehead enveloped in the luster of his clear-thinking mind.”(1) Siddhartha, through beautiful imagery is described as a golden, smart, and beautiful boy who seems to be content with his life. The image of a godlike and joyful boy is quickly diminished when the reader learns that Siddhartha is not happy. The beautiful imagery is soon contrasted to show Siddhartha’s discontent, “The ablutions were good, but they were water, they did not wash away sin, they did not slake the thirst of the mind, they did not calm the fright of the heart.”(5) Previously he was described as being clear thinking and whole, now through water imagery the thirst he seeks is illustrated. Water imagery is also shown is Siddhartha’s thoughts, “Why must he, the irreproachable man, wash away sin every day, every day anew… Those were Siddhartha’s thoughts, that was his thirst, that was his suffering.”(7) The use of this imagery shows that Siddhartha is not happy and instead discontented with his life. This ultimately leads him to joining the samanas and going on his journey to seek enlightenment. I connected the beginning chapter to Of Mice and Men because they way that the story begins with everything perfect and like a dream before entering into reality is an idea that spanned between the two books. Through the use and beautiful and water imagery Siddhartha creates contrast by showing Siddhartha as a boy seeking enlightenment.
Your analysis of the first two chapter of Siddhartha is great. I totally agree that how Siddhartha was depicted, through the language in the beginning, completely changed when he decided to join the Samanas. Like you said, the dreamlike imagery alluded to him being content and almost worshiped. As Herman Hesse started to give away that Siddhartha was not happy in his life, his language and especially diction became darker and more raw. Also, great connection to Of Mice and Men, I totally see it.
I agree with your analysis of the beautiful and water imagery in the first chapter. I also like your connection between the "dreamlike" opening scene of Siddhartha and the beginning in Of Mice and Men. I also think that this pattern of a mood being set in the opening passages then transitioning into a counteractive mood was a common motif among some other books we read over the summer. For example, The Stranger and Chronicle of a Death Foretold both start with stark, sobering thoughts. In The Stranger, the first line is "Maman died today". This blunt, to-the-point sentence makes the reader feel taken aback, while the following chapters transition into a more natural, story-like style, thus bringing the reader back into the reality of the book. In Chronicle of a Death Foretold, the reader is struck with "On the day they were going to kill him..." in the opening line. This demonstrates the pattern of transitioning from one type of language in the opening scene(s) to another later on in the novel.
I like how you tied in Of Mice and Men and the similar technique that was used in both books. I also like the point you made of Siddhartha not being content despite the description of his surroundings. It's a common theme brought up throughout the book, how everything isn't always what meets the eye. Hesse uses vivid imagery throughout the entire book, but only part of the time does it really connect with Siddhartha's mood. Lovu. Swell job
“Siddhartha,” he said, “why are you waiting?” “You know why.” “Will you go on standing and waiting until it is day, noon, evening?” “I will stand and wait.” “You will grow tired, Siddhartha.” “I will grow tired.” “You will fall asleep, Siddhartha.” “I will not fall asleep.” “You will die, Siddhartha.” “I will die.”
This quote appears in The Brahmin’s Son during which Siddhartha communicates to his father his intention to leave his home and to stray from his original path in the following of Brahman. The quote clearly portrays Siddhartha’s deterministic and insistent character. At this point in the story, Siddhartha has met wandering Samanas and faces the realisation that he is not fulfilled leading the life he did. He did not believe in the repetition and cycle of the Brahman and sought enlightenment through the following of Samana lifestyle. However, as adamant as Siddhartha was in his decision, he was empathetic and respectful of his father’s anguish. Throughout his last days at home, Siddhartha stood in the same spot, unmoving and unrelenting. He clearly demonstrated his conviction and gave no sign that he was going to give up. I believe that this marked the beginning of Siddhartha’s independence in the novel and Hesse used this as foreshadow for the rest of the story as well. This is an accurate representation of Siddhartha’s character and his thought process. In instances where Siddhartha is accompanied by Govinda; offered teachings by the Brahmin, Samanas, the exalted one- he refused all. He insisted on his independent travel and learning. He had no faith in the teachings of others and realised early on that experience could not be taught. He learned only from the river. Hesse also uses irony which reflects Siddhartha’s first stance for independence against his father by depicting how his own son leaves him in the end because they are far too different- and like his own father, painfully, Siddhartha let his son go. Overall, Hesse demonstrates Siddhartha's determinism and independence by constantly giving him a choice: to either follow the already-paved road, walked on and through by many; or to create his own path. In his mind, as we see, either rock the ship or get off; and he rocked the ship.
I also think this shows Siddhartha's acceptance that he will die, a mindset that is with him through the entire book. I also really like your comment about him choosing the harder path. I like the quote you chose as well.
I chose to analyze how the structure of chapters varies greatly throughout the book. In “With the Shramanas”, about 3 years take place, but in “Awakening”, only a few nights transpire. This style of “fast-forwarding” through certain parts is sometimes confusing because the reader may be caught off-guard expecting a certain time frame but being shown another. I also noticed how the Buddha is portrayed as a “god” living among the common man. He is countlessly referred to as the “Perfect One” (30), the “Venerable One” (28) or the “Exalted One” (28). However there are also several instances when details are pointed out showing how Gotama can be no different than the common man. He “seemed in no way distinct from the hundreds of other monks” (23) and even “[went] along on the morning begging round” (22). When Siddhartha and Govinda are begging for food in the beginning of the chapter, they enter a woman’s house where she tells them more about Gotama. Her welcoming and knowledgeable presence is analogous to/foreshadows Govinda being accepted by the Buddha to be one of his disciples. This chapter also emphasized the divergence of Govinda’s and Siddhartha’s separate paths. Govinda is a follower, and this is shown multiple times through the comparison of him to a shadow. Siddhartha however, is always questioning his mentors—constantly seeking more. His path to enlightenment does not involve teaching, and he even goes so far as to tell Gotama that “nobody attains enlightenment through a teaching” (28). This sheer boldness is what ultimately separates Siddhartha, the curious self-advocate from his childhood friend Govinda, the follower.
Chapter three is a major turning point in Siddhartha because Govinda leaves Siddhartha to join the Buddha. Govinda is a symbol for Siddhartha’s ego and the ties he still has to society, which tells him that a teacher or a group will bring the end to his suffering. When Siddhartha says he does not want to join the Buddha Govinda says, “‘But you, my honored friend-do you not wish to follow the path of deliverance too? Do you wish to hesitate?’”(29) This exchange is an internal monologue about Siddhartha’s choosing to take his own path. Govinda continues to try and change Siddhartha’s mind, “And Govinda kept urging his friend to tell him why he did not want to take refuge in Gautama’s teaching, tell him why he found failing in this Teaching.”(30) Govinda continues to berate Siddhartha about his choice. He is a voice in the back of Siddhartha’s head that is telling him the easiest way, someone else’s way would be the best choice. Siddhartha sees nothing wrong in the Buddha’s teaching, but knows he will not find enlightenment with him. In the next chapter as Siddhartha walks he realizes that he was hiding from himself through being a Samana. “‘I will learn from me, from myself, I will be my own pupil: I will get to know myself, the secret that is Siddhartha.’”(36) Siddhartha finally frees himself from Govinda who thought it would be easiest to go down a path with the Buddha. This is a turning point because he is alone in finding the wisdom which will bring him deliverance. Siddhartha realizes the only path to enlightenment is within himself and no teacher will be able to instruct that.
"I, also, would like to look and smile, sit and walk like that, so free, so worthy, so restrained, so candid, so childlike and mysterious. A man only looks and walks like that when he has conquered his Self. I also will conquer my Self...No other teachings will attract me, since this man's teachings have not done so."
Throughout the beginning of the story, Siddhartha’s refusal to follow the teachings of others could be interpreted as a sign of arrogance and condescendence. However, as I read this, all of those beliefs were thrown out the window. This quote, I believe, is a portrayal of the respect Siddhartha has for the Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment, as well as his hopes to reach the same mental state. This quote also exemplifies Siddhartha’s belief of the significance of living a childlike life. He depicted throughout the book the necessity of leading a life free of complication, free of greed, free of worldly pleasure and gratification; most importantly, though, free of the often overpowering ego. Siddhartha was well aware that as people grew older, they lost the magic that is childlike wonder; they lost their purity. By describing the Buddha as childlike, Siddhartha emphasises the significance of being so, and associates Nirvana with being naive and innocent. This quote is also, yet another, accurate representation of Siddhartha’s conviction toward following in the teachings of others. Just as he had refused to follow the Brahman lifestyle, as well as the Samana, he had refused that of the Buddha. Not out of disrespect or a lack of congruent beliefs, but because Siddhartha had realised at a young age that experience could not be taught- not even from those who has achieved the ultimate goal of breaking the cycle which is Samsara. Experiencing the Buddha gave Siddhartha motivation and hope, but in himself. He used everything he had been exposed to as a means of reaching optimal self growth. With this independence and perseverance, as well as application of his own experiences, Siddhartha was able to reach the same mental state which was Nirvana.
Siddhartha’s view of the world and it’s people as “child like” is something that interested me at the beginning of part two. Siddartha contemplates the world and thinks, “Beautiful was the world if you contemplated it like this, with no seeking, so simple so childlike.”(43) This worldview is one that turns him to a life of indulgence and greed. Siddhartha believes the rest of the world is primitive and simple and that his mind too complex to be a part of it. This is what actually leads him to a life of greed because he thinks he is above the problems of normal people. Chapter six is actually called “Among the Child People”, in this chapter Siddhartha sees the life of these “children”. “And sometimes he was startled by such thoughts and wished with all his heart in the childlike doings of the day, to live really- to act really, to enjoy really, and to live really instead of merely standing on the side as a spectator.”(64) It is this thought that causes him to live in greed because he wishes to experience their lives and he does, but realizes their passion is skewed and seems better from the outside looking in. A problem of Siddhartha’s throughout the book is his belief that he is above others. This is seen in his relationship with Govinda and the way he interacts with everyday people. Not until he is immersed in their greed and squandering, does he truly understand the people around him and can continue on his path to enlightenment. Without experiencing the life of a normal merchant, Siddhartha would not be able to reach enlightenment.
I agree with your analysis of how Siddhartha sees other people as “childlike”, which ultimately led him to a life of lust and greed. In addition to this, I also think that Siddhartha himself views the world from the eyes of a child, specifically in the first few pages of the section. He has just left his friend Govinda, who was his only remaining tie to society and his life in the past. After he leaves his friend, or rather, his friend leaves him, Siddhartha’s “world had been transformed” (37). The first paragraphs of the section are all listing and enumerating characteristics which describe the setting, which is drastically different from part one when setting was described through long, fluid sentences. For example, in chapter 1 the landscape is described as having “rosy paths of the fig garden...bluish shadows of the meditation grove...deep shade of the mango wood…”(4) and in chapter 5, the setting is described to have “trees, stars, animals, clouds, rainbows, rocks herbs, flowers, streams and rivers…”(37). This observation ties into your idea that through seeing the world as a child, Siddhartha begins to prioritize material goods and become greedy.
Siddhartha learned something new on every step of his path, for the world was transformed, and his heart was enchanted. He saw the sun rising over the mountains with their forests and setting over the distant beach with its palm-trees.
In this part of the book, Siddhartha’s perspective of the world had been transformed. That, I believe, is what reaching enlightenment is about. The perspective changes, but the world does not. It only bends to align with our individual reality. I believe this is a very significant part in the book since it describes very ordinary and naturally occurring things taking place, but are perceived as enchanting by Siddhartha. This depicts him on his way to reaching Nirvana. However, the timing is also very significant. At this point of the story, Siddhartha is on his way to Kamala, who enforces a life filled with attraction, greed, and other material or superficial gain. At first, Siddhartha is successful when it comes to not falling prey to the material world, but soon he finds himself drowning in despair. Kamala encouraged him to do this so that he could see that even when he has everything in the world, it is not enough to fulfill oneself. In order to experience growth, Siddhartha had to hit rock bottom. He did this when he finally crashed after reaching his materialistic high. When the superficiality of the world had taken its toll, Siddhartha found himself in a place of self-loathing.
I agree with your analysis of this section, and I like how you incorporated the time frame as a significant factor. I also like your proverbial-like-phrase, "perspective changes, but the world does not". I too believe that this is a significant part of the book. While the world is remaining the same, Siddhartha's aspirations and hopes for his future alter. Yes, he always has the common goal of reaching enlightenment, but throughout his life he sees enlightenment as different things during different times. For example, when he is with Kamala, he believes that he is content with his life. He has fallen prey to material possession and greed, yet since he has women, food, servants and privilege, he thinks that this is the life for him. I agree with your analysis of Siddhartha "hitting rock bottom". A quote to support your analysis is "He noticed only that the bright and confident voice of his inner being, which had once been awake within him and which in his times of brilliance had been his constant guide, had gone still"(62). This shows how his innermost guiding voice had gone since he was so far beyond his desired way of life.
In part two of the book, the reader is introduced to Kamala, the shining beacon of lust for Siddhartha. What stood out to me from these chapters was the dream Siddhartha had one night after leaving his friend Govinda. He dreamt of Govinda becoming a woman, as he suckled her breast. When reading this passage for the first time during the summer, I thought this was just a bizarre dream Siddhartha was having. However, when reading it again, I can tell that this passage serves as foreshadowing for what comes later in the chapter. Throughout the first few pages of the chapter, Siddhartha had seemed like a whole new person. He was experiencing the world in a completely novel way. He had began to see the world through the eyes of a child, “so awake, so open to whatever lay at hand, so without suspicion”(38). The milk Siddhartha drank from the woman’s breast “made one drunk and unaware”(39), much like Siddhartha when he was overtaken by lust simply at the sight of Kamala. However, before he met Kamala, his encounter with another woman triggers a voice inside him which stops him from touching her. At this point his moral compass is still intact, and “with a shudder he heard his inner voice, and the voice said no”(41). Shortly thereafter, when Siddhartha meets Kamala, “his heart laughed”(42). This odd description of a feeling can be compared to drunkenness, showing that Siddhartha’s dream from earlier in the chapter serves as foreshadowing for him meeting Kamala. Siddhartha also completely contradicts his thoughts once he sees Kamala. He knows that he shouldn’t “enter the grove. And he laughed”(42). The self-contradiction in this section is overwhelming, and again, I see it as being synonymous with drunkenness. He directly disobeys his thoughts, which he knows he should be following, and enters the grove anyway, believing that “he had an aim now”(42). This shows how quickly Siddhartha’s priorities and inhibitions have shifted from one chapter to the next. This also demonstrates the idea that Govinda kept Siddhartha in his right mind for some time. However, this is ironic since Govinda was the subject of his dream. Although Govinda represented sanity and the practical route, his dream form symbolized Siddhartha’s lust.
A symbol that I found interesting in chapters seven and eight was the symbol of the bird that was present throughout the chapters. When Siddhartha goes back to his room after a long night he finds a songbird that Kamala kept, dead in its cage. “He took it out, weighed it in his hand for a moment and then threw it away… at that same moment, he was terribly frightened, and his heart ached as if, with this dead bird, he had thrown away all value and all goodness.” (73) This bird represents Siddhartha and the staleness he feels in his soul. Siddhartha’s quest for enlightenment was stopped as he turned toward a life of greed and lust. At this point Siddhartha is contemplating his life and whether or not it actually brings him joy. Similar to throwing out the bird, Siddhartha throws out his life of greed and leaves Kamala. The sense of regret he feels when he throws out the bird reflects the indecisiveness Siddhartha feels about leaving to continue his path to enlightenment. At the end of chapter eight Siddhartha contemplates the bird again, “He pondered and pondered his transformation, listened to the bird as it sang for joy. Had the bird not died in him, had he not felt its death.”(87) The bird is a metaphor for Siddhartha’s soul and the pain that he felt when he turned to a life of greed. Siddhartha threw the bird into the street and that bird’s death feels synonymous with the inner-death of Siddhartha’s soul. Even though the bird was dead when he threw it out the bird is finally free, just like Siddhartha has freed himself from the chains of greed when he leaves his pleasure garden.
In chapter 7, Samsara, Siddhartha continues down the path of lust and greed. Something from this section which stood out to me was the irony of Siddhartha’s situation. Although in his new life with Kamala he was highly respected and privileged, he looks down on others for being too “worldly” (valuing material goods too much). Siddhartha is enjoying material goods as much as, if not more than, the other people in the town. Despite the striking similarities between Siddhartha and the “worldly people”, “he had continued to feel different from the others and superior to them. He had always looked at them with a touch of disdain, with a touch of disdainful contempt, with just that contempt that a shramana always feels toward worldly people”(60). Siddhartha doesn’t realize how similar he is to these “others”, but once he does begin to realize this, he still believes that he is different from the “child people” in one way: they have the ability to love. In the previous chapter, Siddhartha discussed with Kamala how “people of our type are perhaps incapable of love. The child people are capable of [love]; that is their secret”(58). Siddhartha’s belief that he is superior to others is a common theme in the novel. From the beginning, the reader is made aware that he thinks of himself in a higher status than Govinda and many others. When Siddhartha transitioned from a shramana into Kamala’s lover, he sank to the “others’” level, while still believing he was above them. I believe this is why it takes Siddhartha so long to realize he is not living with the purpose he wanted. Once he “assimilated from them just the unpleasant side”(61) and “the soul sickness of the rich [took] him over”(61), he had taken the first steps toward realizing the consequences of his recent life choices, and moving past them to hopefully become a better person.
Another form of irony in this section is that Siddhartha said he would never have another teacher, but then asks Kamala to teach him how to love. Siddhartha's life is just one ironic situation after another. Siddhartha's continuos hypocrisy is rather taxing, but I really liked your comment on his ironic view of normal people.
In chapters nine and ten the irony of Siddhartha’s son leaving him was something I found interesting. Siddhartha’s son is forced upon him after Kamala’s death and Siddhartha wants nothing more than to gain his love and affection. The idea of doing this is using no discipline and instead letting him walk all over Siddhartha. “For a long time, long months, Siddhartha waited for his son to understand, to accept his love, perhaps to love him back.”(104) Just like in most of Siddhartha’s life he relies on patience and peace in order to get what he wants. Like most teenagers young Siddhartha does not understand his father and his ego is much too big to want to learn from him. The conflict between young and old Siddhartha is one that is seen between many teenagers and their parents. Young Siddhartha continues to berate his father until he runs away, “Grief and anger boiled over in him, foamed toward the father in a hundred wild and evil words. Then the boy ran away and did not come back till late in the morning. But the next morning he had disappeared.”(108) Similar to Siddhartha’s own path to enlightenment the young boy left his father with little warning. Siddhartha contemplates going to look for him and is distraught in making his decision. Just like Siddhartha’s own father he doesn’t want to see his son go and Siddhartha finally understands the dilemma his father went through all those years ago. Siddhartha’s life has gone full circle as he goes through the same problem his parents did. Just like the river, time continues to flow and the cycle of life goes on. Siddhartha experiences the feelings of having a child, then loss, which causes him to become wiser and finally reach enlightenment.
Taylor, I agree with you that Siddhartha's son leaving is ironic. I also found irony in how Siddhartha tried to force his lifestyle on his son. Siddhartha did not envision himself reaching enlightenment through the lifestyle of his father. He hoped that his father would understand his need to leave their village and experience life as a Samana. Also, after meeting the exalted one, Siddhartha explained that his calling was somewhere else. Throughout Siddhartha's journey, he learns from many different lifestyles. Although he reached the highest state by the river, Siddhartha claims that each of his experiences was necessary to lead him down the path to enlightenment. In “Govinda,” Siddhartha says, “...I needed sin very much, I needed lust, the desire for possessions, vanity, and needed the most shameful despair, in order to learn how to give up all resistance, in order to learn how to love the world…” (65). The realizations made by Siddhartha make his attitude towards young Siddhartha ironic. Like you mentioned, the father-son relationship depicted is common. Old Siddhartha has been through it all, and just wants the best for his son. He had hoped that reaching enlightenment would be easier for young Siddhartha. On the other hand, young Siddhartha wants to experience life on his own terms, and believes that his father doesn’t understand him. Old Siddhartha himself said that he needed sin to grow overall, yet he does not want his son to experience the same things. I think this is an example of how Siddhartha is yet another one of the childlike people. Before, Siddhartha viewed the childlike people with mockery and close-mindedness. Now Siddhartha has a child and the full capacity to love, and perhaps realizes that he is no different from the others.
I like how you connected Siddhartha's own experiences to those his parents had when he was a child. This strongly supports your analysis and shows its relevance in the bigger picture. I think that chapters nine and ten specifically achieved a concluding tone, making connections to earlier in the story, leaving no stone unturned and no led unfollowed. I definitely agree with your comparison of Siddhartha and his son. Vasudeva describes Siddhartha’s son by saying “his heart is proud and hard”(93). This reminds the reader of a similar description of Siddhartha when he was younger. Vasudeva also includes that “such people must suffer much, stray far, commit much wrongdoing, weigh themselves down with many sins”(93). This list of the stages of life sounds an awful lot like Siddhartha’s journey, particularly the sin and suffering being during his time with Kamala. These are just a few of the parallels which can be drawn between Siddhartha and his son.
The irony surrounding Siddhartha’s journey continued into chapters nine and ten. In “The Ferryman”, Siddhartha reveres the river once he was awakened from his deep sleep by “Om”. The ferryman Vasudeva states that “‘You will learn [how to listen]...but not from me. The river taught me how to listen; you will learn that from the river too. The river knows everything; everything can be learned from it”(82). This is ironic because Siddhartha is finally happy with himself and the world when he is being taught by an object and not a person. Although technically the river is an inanimate object, Hesse describes it in such a way that emphasizes its human-like qualities, including that the river “flowed and flowed, flowed ever onward, and yet was always there, was always the same yet every moment new!”(80). The river is always there, always will be there, and yet is always changing and evolving, much like the world we live in. The river is a very obvious and important symbol in the novel. Siddhartha seems so ecstatic once he awakens from his deep sleep by the river, giving it a copious amount of importance. Nothing up until this point in the novel has brought Siddhartha such genuine happiness. It is also ironic how Siddhartha left his family and crossed the river as a child, and came back as the “new Siddhartha”. This reveals how the river can also represent an entrance into one's self-fulfilling journey. By crossing the river at the beginning of his journey, Siddhartha traveled from his home (everything he knew) and entered the massive, ever-changing world. When he had seen all that he needed, Siddhartha returned, and crossed the river once more. The repeated action of crossing the river ties the story back to the beginning, bringing it full circle and giving this portion of chapter nine a natural concluding feeling.
“It became nearly as radiant, nearly as aglow with happiness, shone in the same way out of a thousand little wrinkles, was just as much like a child’s and just as much like an old man’s.” (85)
I think this quote describing the similarities between Siddhartha’s appearance and Vasudeva’s is significant in the sense that again, something is being described as childlike. Siddhartha has emphasised his opinion on the childlike people. They are described as being inferior and ignorant. On the other hand, Siddhartha has also explained how they are lucky to be free of too much wisdom, to contain such wonder. In this context, though, the childlike appearance and radiation that is emanated from Siddhartha is a wonderful thing. It expresses the wonder he possesses for life and his innocent and naive energy. There is also another description listed, though, that being his appearance of an old man. This description emphasises his profound knowledge and experiences. However, he is knowledgeable in the correct way. He knows what does and does not matter in life and focuses that energy on things that the childlike people would- the beauty of life.
“In the evening, after the hour of contemplation, Siddhartha said to Govinda: “Tomorrow morning, my friend, Siddhartha will go to the shramanas. He will become a shramana.” (8)
ReplyDeleteIn the first quote I selected, Siddharta refers to himself in the third person when telling Govinda that he will leave his family and community to become a shramana. This emphasizes the idea that Siddhartha had an almost “out-of-body” experience in order to have the realization that he desires to join the shramanas on his journey towards enlightenment. He took a step back and upon evaluating his life, believed that the brahmins had taught him everything they had to teach. This also characterizes Siddhartha as a very well thought out person, analyzing every aspect of a situation before it happens. In the second quote, Siddhartha refers to himself in the third person again, this time while speaking to his father when he says, “‘Siddhartha has always obeyed his father...Siddhartha will do what his father tells him’” (10). In this particular quote, Siddhartha’s words are directly contradicting his actions. Siddhartha’s father learns more about his son when he sees that “Siddhartha’s knees were shaking slightly. But he saw no wavering in Siddhartha’s face. The eyes were fixed on the distance. Then the father realized that Siddhartha was already no longer home with him, that he had left him already” (10). As mentioned above, Siddhartha has already begun his journey prior to actually leaving his home. He exhibits that a journey is not solely defined as physically leaving home and travelling somewhere; he shows that a journey begins when the mind moves on from the activities and traditions of home (in this case, the teachings of the brahmins). This can also be tied into the truism that “flight is freedom”. Although Siddhartha is obviously not flying, when he opens his mind to teachings outside of the brahmins of his city, he “flies” away from his home before physically leaving; he no longer feels tied down to the teachings of the brahmins which accompanied his discontent with life. This shows how his newfound freedom can help him advance further on the path toward enlightenment. The motif of a mental journey also supports another one of our classroom maxims, “The real reason for any quest if always self-knowledge”. Siddhartha longs to find a deeper purpose in life, and by embarking on his spiritual journey, he permits himself to truly begin down his path toward enlightenment.
Something I found interesting in the beginning of Siddhartha was the dreamlike atmosphere that was created at the beginning of the novel, but quickly ended when Siddhartha went to join the samanas. It begins the first sentence, “In the shade of the house, in the sunshine near the boats on the riverbank, in the shade of the fig tree, Siddhartha grew up-the beautiful son of the Brahmin.”(1) This beautiful imagery describes Siddhartha almost as a god in a dreamlike world. Another quote that suggests his Godlike nature is, “His forehead enveloped in the luster of his clear-thinking mind.”(1) Siddhartha, through beautiful imagery is described as a golden, smart, and beautiful boy who seems to be content with his life. The image of a godlike and joyful boy is quickly diminished when the reader learns that Siddhartha is not happy. The beautiful imagery is soon contrasted to show Siddhartha’s discontent, “The ablutions were good, but they were water, they did not wash away sin, they did not slake the thirst of the mind, they did not calm the fright of the heart.”(5) Previously he was described as being clear thinking and whole, now through water imagery the thirst he seeks is illustrated. Water imagery is also shown is Siddhartha’s thoughts, “Why must he, the irreproachable man, wash away sin every day, every day anew… Those were Siddhartha’s thoughts, that was his thirst, that was his suffering.”(7) The use of this imagery shows that Siddhartha is not happy and instead discontented with his life. This ultimately leads him to joining the samanas and going on his journey to seek enlightenment. I connected the beginning chapter to Of Mice and Men because they way that the story begins with everything perfect and like a dream before entering into reality is an idea that spanned between the two books. Through the use and beautiful and water imagery Siddhartha creates contrast by showing Siddhartha as a boy seeking enlightenment.
ReplyDeleteYour analysis of the first two chapter of Siddhartha is great. I totally agree that how Siddhartha was depicted, through the language in the beginning, completely changed when he decided to join the Samanas. Like you said, the dreamlike imagery alluded to him being content and almost worshiped. As Herman Hesse started to give away that Siddhartha was not happy in his life, his language and especially diction became darker and more raw. Also, great connection to Of Mice and Men, I totally see it.
DeleteI agree with your analysis of the beautiful and water imagery in the first chapter. I also like your connection between the "dreamlike" opening scene of Siddhartha and the beginning in Of Mice and Men. I also think that this pattern of a mood being set in the opening passages then transitioning into a counteractive mood was a common motif among some other books we read over the summer. For example, The Stranger and Chronicle of a Death Foretold both start with stark, sobering thoughts. In The Stranger, the first line is "Maman died today". This blunt, to-the-point sentence makes the reader feel taken aback, while the following chapters transition into a more natural, story-like style, thus bringing the reader back into the reality of the book. In Chronicle of a Death Foretold, the reader is struck with "On the day they were going to kill him..." in the opening line. This demonstrates the pattern of transitioning from one type of language in the opening scene(s) to another later on in the novel.
DeleteI like how you tied in Of Mice and Men and the similar technique that was used in both books. I also like the point you made of Siddhartha not being content despite the description of his surroundings. It's a common theme brought up throughout the book, how everything isn't always what meets the eye. Hesse uses vivid imagery throughout the entire book, but only part of the time does it really connect with Siddhartha's mood. Lovu. Swell job
DeleteGood points, guys! :)
ReplyDeleteMs. Ballard
“Siddhartha,” he said, “why are you waiting?”
ReplyDelete“You know why.”
“Will you go on standing and waiting until it is day, noon, evening?”
“I will stand and wait.”
“You will grow tired, Siddhartha.”
“I will grow tired.”
“You will fall asleep, Siddhartha.”
“I will not fall asleep.”
“You will die, Siddhartha.”
“I will die.”
This quote appears in The Brahmin’s Son during which Siddhartha communicates to his father his intention to leave his home and to stray from his original path in the following of Brahman. The quote clearly portrays Siddhartha’s deterministic and insistent character. At this point in the story, Siddhartha has met wandering Samanas and faces the realisation that he is not fulfilled leading the life he did. He did not believe in the repetition and cycle of the Brahman and sought enlightenment through the following of Samana lifestyle. However, as adamant as Siddhartha was in his decision, he was empathetic and respectful of his father’s anguish. Throughout his last days at home, Siddhartha stood in the same spot, unmoving and unrelenting. He clearly demonstrated his conviction and gave no sign that he was going to give up. I believe that this marked the beginning of Siddhartha’s independence in the novel and Hesse used this as foreshadow for the rest of the story as well. This is an accurate representation of Siddhartha’s character and his thought process. In instances where Siddhartha is accompanied by Govinda; offered teachings by the Brahmin, Samanas, the exalted one- he refused all. He insisted on his independent travel and learning. He had no faith in the teachings of others and realised early on that experience could not be taught. He learned only from the river. Hesse also uses irony which reflects Siddhartha’s first stance for independence against his father by depicting how his own son leaves him in the end because they are far too different- and like his own father, painfully, Siddhartha let his son go. Overall, Hesse demonstrates Siddhartha's determinism and independence by constantly giving him a choice: to either follow the already-paved road, walked on and through by many; or to create his own path. In his mind, as we see, either rock the ship or get off; and he rocked the ship.
I also think this shows Siddhartha's acceptance that he will die, a mindset that is with him through the entire book. I also really like your comment about him choosing the harder path. I like the quote you chose as well.
Deletethx tay <3 kissies
DeleteI chose to analyze how the structure of chapters varies greatly throughout the book. In “With the Shramanas”, about 3 years take place, but in “Awakening”, only a few nights transpire. This style of “fast-forwarding” through certain parts is sometimes confusing because the reader may be caught off-guard expecting a certain time frame but being shown another. I also noticed how the Buddha is portrayed as a “god” living among the common man. He is countlessly referred to as the “Perfect One” (30), the “Venerable One” (28) or the “Exalted One” (28). However there are also several instances when details are pointed out showing how Gotama can be no different than the common man. He “seemed in no way distinct from the hundreds of other monks” (23) and even “[went] along on the morning begging round” (22). When Siddhartha and Govinda are begging for food in the beginning of the chapter, they enter a woman’s house where she tells them more about Gotama. Her welcoming and knowledgeable presence is analogous to/foreshadows Govinda being accepted by the Buddha to be one of his disciples. This chapter also emphasized the divergence of Govinda’s and Siddhartha’s separate paths. Govinda is a follower, and this is shown multiple times through the comparison of him to a shadow. Siddhartha however, is always questioning his mentors—constantly seeking more. His path to enlightenment does not involve teaching, and he even goes so far as to tell Gotama that “nobody attains enlightenment through a teaching” (28). This sheer boldness is what ultimately separates Siddhartha, the curious self-advocate from his childhood friend Govinda, the follower.
ReplyDeleteChapter three is a major turning point in Siddhartha because Govinda leaves Siddhartha to join the Buddha. Govinda is a symbol for Siddhartha’s ego and the ties he still has to society, which tells him that a teacher or a group will bring the end to his suffering. When Siddhartha says he does not want to join the Buddha Govinda says, “‘But you, my honored friend-do you not wish to follow the path of deliverance too? Do you wish to hesitate?’”(29) This exchange is an internal monologue about Siddhartha’s choosing to take his own path. Govinda continues to try and change Siddhartha’s mind, “And Govinda kept urging his friend to tell him why he did not want to take refuge in Gautama’s teaching, tell him why he found failing in this Teaching.”(30) Govinda continues to berate Siddhartha about his choice. He is a voice in the back of Siddhartha’s head that is telling him the easiest way, someone else’s way would be the best choice. Siddhartha sees nothing wrong in the Buddha’s teaching, but knows he will not find enlightenment with him. In the next chapter as Siddhartha walks he realizes that he was hiding from himself through being a Samana. “‘I will learn from me, from myself, I will be my own pupil: I will get to know myself, the secret that is Siddhartha.’”(36) Siddhartha finally frees himself from Govinda who thought it would be easiest to go down a path with the Buddha. This is a turning point because he is alone in finding the wisdom which will bring him deliverance. Siddhartha realizes the only path to enlightenment is within himself and no teacher will be able to instruct that.
ReplyDelete"I, also, would like to look and smile, sit and walk like that, so free, so worthy, so restrained, so candid, so childlike and mysterious. A man only looks and walks like that when he has conquered his Self. I also will conquer my Self...No other teachings will attract me, since this man's teachings have not done so."
ReplyDeleteThroughout the beginning of the story, Siddhartha’s refusal to follow the teachings of others could be interpreted as a sign of arrogance and condescendence. However, as I read this, all of those beliefs were thrown out the window. This quote, I believe, is a portrayal of the respect Siddhartha has for the Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment, as well as his hopes to reach the same mental state. This quote also exemplifies Siddhartha’s belief of the significance of living a childlike life. He depicted throughout the book the necessity of leading a life free of complication, free of greed, free of worldly pleasure and gratification; most importantly, though, free of the often overpowering ego. Siddhartha was well aware that as people grew older, they lost the magic that is childlike wonder; they lost their purity. By describing the Buddha as childlike, Siddhartha emphasises the significance of being so, and associates Nirvana with being naive and innocent. This quote is also, yet another, accurate representation of Siddhartha’s conviction toward following in the teachings of others. Just as he had refused to follow the Brahman lifestyle, as well as the Samana, he had refused that of the Buddha. Not out of disrespect or a lack of congruent beliefs, but because Siddhartha had realised at a young age that experience could not be taught- not even from those who has achieved the ultimate goal of breaking the cycle which is Samsara. Experiencing the Buddha gave Siddhartha motivation and hope, but in himself. He used everything he had been exposed to as a means of reaching optimal self growth. With this independence and perseverance, as well as application of his own experiences, Siddhartha was able to reach the same mental state which was Nirvana.
wow gr8 post tia i am going to hang this on my wall. fabulous.
DeleteSiddhartha’s view of the world and it’s people as “child like” is something that interested me at the beginning of part two. Siddartha contemplates the world and thinks, “Beautiful was the world if you contemplated it like this, with no seeking, so simple so childlike.”(43) This worldview is one that turns him to a life of indulgence and greed. Siddhartha believes the rest of the world is primitive and simple and that his mind too complex to be a part of it. This is what actually leads him to a life of greed because he thinks he is above the problems of normal people. Chapter six is actually called “Among the Child People”, in this chapter Siddhartha sees the life of these “children”. “And sometimes he was startled by such thoughts and wished with all his heart in the childlike doings of the day, to live really- to act really, to enjoy really, and to live really instead of merely standing on the side as a spectator.”(64) It is this thought that causes him to live in greed because he wishes to experience their lives and he does, but realizes their passion is skewed and seems better from the outside looking in. A problem of Siddhartha’s throughout the book is his belief that he is above others. This is seen in his relationship with Govinda and the way he interacts with everyday people. Not until he is immersed in their greed and squandering, does he truly understand the people around him and can continue on his path to enlightenment. Without experiencing the life of a normal merchant, Siddhartha would not be able to reach enlightenment.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your analysis of how Siddhartha sees other people as “childlike”, which ultimately led him to a life of lust and greed. In addition to this, I also think that Siddhartha himself views the world from the eyes of a child, specifically in the first few pages of the section. He has just left his friend Govinda, who was his only remaining tie to society and his life in the past. After he leaves his friend, or rather, his friend leaves him, Siddhartha’s “world had been transformed” (37). The first paragraphs of the section are all listing and enumerating characteristics which describe the setting, which is drastically different from part one when setting was described through long, fluid sentences. For example, in chapter 1 the landscape is described as having “rosy paths of the fig garden...bluish shadows of the meditation grove...deep shade of the mango wood…”(4) and in chapter 5, the setting is described to have “trees, stars, animals, clouds, rainbows, rocks herbs, flowers, streams and rivers…”(37). This observation ties into your idea that through seeing the world as a child, Siddhartha begins to prioritize material goods and become greedy.
DeleteSiddhartha learned something new on every step of his path, for the
ReplyDeleteworld was transformed, and his heart was enchanted. He saw the sun
rising over the mountains with their forests and setting over the
distant beach with its palm-trees.
In this part of the book, Siddhartha’s perspective of the world had been transformed. That, I believe, is what reaching enlightenment is about. The perspective changes, but the world does not. It only bends to align with our individual reality. I believe this is a very significant part in the book since it describes very ordinary and naturally occurring things taking place, but are perceived as enchanting by Siddhartha. This depicts him on his way to reaching Nirvana. However, the timing is also very significant. At this point of the story, Siddhartha is on his way to Kamala, who enforces a life filled with attraction, greed, and other material or superficial gain. At first, Siddhartha is successful when it comes to not falling prey to the material world, but soon he finds himself drowning in despair. Kamala encouraged him to do this so that he could see that even when he has everything in the world, it is not enough to fulfill oneself. In order to experience growth, Siddhartha had to hit rock bottom. He did this when he finally crashed after reaching his materialistic high. When the superficiality of the world had taken its toll, Siddhartha found himself in a place of self-loathing.
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DeleteI agree with your analysis of this section, and I like how you incorporated the time frame as a significant factor. I also like your proverbial-like-phrase, "perspective changes, but the world does not". I too believe that this is a significant part of the book. While the world is remaining the same, Siddhartha's aspirations and hopes for his future alter. Yes, he always has the common goal of reaching enlightenment, but throughout his life he sees enlightenment as different things during different times. For example, when he is with Kamala, he believes that he is content with his life. He has fallen prey to material possession and greed, yet since he has women, food, servants and privilege, he thinks that this is the life for him. I agree with your analysis of Siddhartha "hitting rock bottom". A quote to support your analysis is "He noticed only that the bright and confident voice of his inner being, which had once been awake within him and which in his times of brilliance had been his constant guide, had gone still"(62). This shows how his innermost guiding voice had gone since he was so far beyond his desired way of life.
DeleteIn part two of the book, the reader is introduced to Kamala, the shining beacon of lust for Siddhartha. What stood out to me from these chapters was the dream Siddhartha had one night after leaving his friend Govinda. He dreamt of Govinda becoming a woman, as he suckled her breast. When reading this passage for the first time during the summer, I thought this was just a bizarre dream Siddhartha was having. However, when reading it again, I can tell that this passage serves as foreshadowing for what comes later in the chapter. Throughout the first few pages of the chapter, Siddhartha had seemed like a whole new person. He was experiencing the world in a completely novel way. He had began to see the world through the eyes of a child, “so awake, so open to whatever lay at hand, so without suspicion”(38). The milk Siddhartha drank from the woman’s breast “made one drunk and unaware”(39), much like Siddhartha when he was overtaken by lust simply at the sight of Kamala. However, before he met Kamala, his encounter with another woman triggers a voice inside him which stops him from touching her. At this point his moral compass is still intact, and “with a shudder he heard his inner voice, and the voice said no”(41). Shortly thereafter, when Siddhartha meets Kamala, “his heart laughed”(42). This odd description of a feeling can be compared to drunkenness, showing that Siddhartha’s dream from earlier in the chapter serves as foreshadowing for him meeting Kamala. Siddhartha also completely contradicts his thoughts once he sees Kamala. He knows that he shouldn’t “enter the grove. And he laughed”(42). The self-contradiction in this section is overwhelming, and again, I see it as being synonymous with drunkenness. He directly disobeys his thoughts, which he knows he should be following, and enters the grove anyway, believing that “he had an aim now”(42). This shows how quickly Siddhartha’s priorities and inhibitions have shifted from one chapter to the next. This also demonstrates the idea that Govinda kept Siddhartha in his right mind for some time. However, this is ironic since Govinda was the subject of his dream. Although Govinda represented sanity and the practical route, his dream form symbolized Siddhartha’s lust.
ReplyDeleteA symbol that I found interesting in chapters seven and eight was the symbol of the bird that was present throughout the chapters. When Siddhartha goes back to his room after a long night he finds a songbird that Kamala kept, dead in its cage. “He took it out, weighed it in his hand for a moment and then threw it away… at that same moment, he was terribly frightened, and his heart ached as if, with this dead bird, he had thrown away all value and all goodness.” (73) This bird represents Siddhartha and the staleness he feels in his soul. Siddhartha’s quest for enlightenment was stopped as he turned toward a life of greed and lust. At this point Siddhartha is contemplating his life and whether or not it actually brings him joy. Similar to throwing out the bird, Siddhartha throws out his life of greed and leaves Kamala. The sense of regret he feels when he throws out the bird reflects the indecisiveness Siddhartha feels about leaving to continue his path to enlightenment. At the end of chapter eight Siddhartha contemplates the bird again, “He pondered and pondered his transformation, listened to the bird as it sang for joy. Had the bird not died in him, had he not felt its death.”(87) The bird is a metaphor for Siddhartha’s soul and the pain that he felt when he turned to a life of greed. Siddhartha threw the bird into the street and that bird’s death feels synonymous with the inner-death of Siddhartha’s soul. Even though the bird was dead when he threw it out the bird is finally free, just like Siddhartha has freed himself from the chains of greed when he leaves his pleasure garden.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 7, Samsara, Siddhartha continues down the path of lust and greed. Something from this section which stood out to me was the irony of Siddhartha’s situation. Although in his new life with Kamala he was highly respected and privileged, he looks down on others for being too “worldly” (valuing material goods too much). Siddhartha is enjoying material goods as much as, if not more than, the other people in the town. Despite the striking similarities between Siddhartha and the “worldly people”, “he had continued to feel different from the others and superior to them. He had always looked at them with a touch of disdain, with a touch of disdainful contempt, with just that contempt that a shramana always feels toward worldly people”(60). Siddhartha doesn’t realize how similar he is to these “others”, but once he does begin to realize this, he still believes that he is different from the “child people” in one way: they have the ability to love. In the previous chapter, Siddhartha discussed with Kamala how “people of our type are perhaps incapable of love. The child people are capable of [love]; that is their secret”(58). Siddhartha’s belief that he is superior to others is a common theme in the novel. From the beginning, the reader is made aware that he thinks of himself in a higher status than Govinda and many others. When Siddhartha transitioned from a shramana into Kamala’s lover, he sank to the “others’” level, while still believing he was above them. I believe this is why it takes Siddhartha so long to realize he is not living with the purpose he wanted. Once he “assimilated from them just the unpleasant side”(61) and “the soul sickness of the rich [took] him over”(61), he had taken the first steps toward realizing the consequences of his recent life choices, and moving past them to hopefully become a better person.
ReplyDeleteAnother form of irony in this section is that Siddhartha said he would never have another teacher, but then asks Kamala to teach him how to love. Siddhartha's life is just one ironic situation after another. Siddhartha's continuos hypocrisy is rather taxing, but I really liked your comment on his ironic view of normal people.
DeleteIn chapters nine and ten the irony of Siddhartha’s son leaving him was something I found interesting. Siddhartha’s son is forced upon him after Kamala’s death and Siddhartha wants nothing more than to gain his love and affection. The idea of doing this is using no discipline and instead letting him walk all over Siddhartha. “For a long time, long months, Siddhartha waited for his son to understand, to accept his love, perhaps to love him back.”(104) Just like in most of Siddhartha’s life he relies on patience and peace in order to get what he wants. Like most teenagers young Siddhartha does not understand his father and his ego is much too big to want to learn from him. The conflict between young and old Siddhartha is one that is seen between many teenagers and their parents. Young Siddhartha continues to berate his father until he runs away, “Grief and anger boiled over in him, foamed toward the father in a hundred wild and evil words. Then the boy ran away and did not come back till late in the morning. But the next morning he had disappeared.”(108) Similar to Siddhartha’s own path to enlightenment the young boy left his father with little warning. Siddhartha contemplates going to look for him and is distraught in making his decision. Just like Siddhartha’s own father he doesn’t want to see his son go and Siddhartha finally understands the dilemma his father went through all those years ago. Siddhartha’s life has gone full circle as he goes through the same problem his parents did. Just like the river, time continues to flow and the cycle of life goes on. Siddhartha experiences the feelings of having a child, then loss, which causes him to become wiser and finally reach enlightenment.
ReplyDeleteTaylor, I agree with you that Siddhartha's son leaving is ironic. I also found irony in how Siddhartha tried to force his lifestyle on his son. Siddhartha did not envision himself reaching enlightenment through the lifestyle of his father. He hoped that his father would understand his need to leave their village and experience life as a Samana. Also, after meeting the exalted one, Siddhartha explained that his calling was somewhere else. Throughout Siddhartha's journey, he learns from many different lifestyles. Although he reached the highest state by the river, Siddhartha claims that each of his experiences was necessary to lead him down the path to enlightenment. In “Govinda,” Siddhartha says, “...I needed sin very much, I needed lust, the desire for possessions, vanity, and needed the most shameful despair, in order to learn how to give up all resistance, in order to learn how to love the world…” (65). The realizations made by Siddhartha make his attitude towards young Siddhartha ironic. Like you mentioned, the father-son relationship depicted is common. Old Siddhartha has been through it all, and just wants the best for his son. He had hoped that reaching enlightenment would be easier for young Siddhartha. On the other hand, young Siddhartha wants to experience life on his own terms, and believes that his father doesn’t understand him. Old Siddhartha himself said that he needed sin to grow overall, yet he does not want his son to experience the same things. I think this is an example of how Siddhartha is yet another one of the childlike people. Before, Siddhartha viewed the childlike people with mockery and close-mindedness. Now Siddhartha has a child and the full capacity to love, and perhaps realizes that he is no different from the others.
DeleteI like how you connected Siddhartha's own experiences to those his parents had when he was a child. This strongly supports your analysis and shows its relevance in the bigger picture. I think that chapters nine and ten specifically achieved a concluding tone, making connections to earlier in the story, leaving no stone unturned and no led unfollowed. I definitely agree with your comparison of Siddhartha and his son. Vasudeva describes Siddhartha’s son by saying “his heart is proud and hard”(93). This reminds the reader of a similar description of Siddhartha when he was younger. Vasudeva also includes that “such people must suffer much, stray far, commit much wrongdoing, weigh themselves down with many sins”(93). This list of the stages of life sounds an awful lot like Siddhartha’s journey, particularly the sin and suffering being during his time with Kamala. These are just a few of the parallels which can be drawn between Siddhartha and his son.
DeleteThe irony surrounding Siddhartha’s journey continued into chapters nine and ten. In “The Ferryman”, Siddhartha reveres the river once he was awakened from his deep sleep by “Om”. The ferryman Vasudeva states that “‘You will learn [how to listen]...but not from me. The river taught me how to listen; you will learn that from the river too. The river knows everything; everything can be learned from it”(82). This is ironic because Siddhartha is finally happy with himself and the world when he is being taught by an object and not a person. Although technically the river is an inanimate object, Hesse describes it in such a way that emphasizes its human-like qualities, including that the river “flowed and flowed, flowed ever onward, and yet was always there, was always the same yet every moment new!”(80). The river is always there, always will be there, and yet is always changing and evolving, much like the world we live in. The river is a very obvious and important symbol in the novel. Siddhartha seems so ecstatic once he awakens from his deep sleep by the river, giving it a copious amount of importance. Nothing up until this point in the novel has brought Siddhartha such genuine happiness. It is also ironic how Siddhartha left his family and crossed the river as a child, and came back as the “new Siddhartha”. This reveals how the river can also represent an entrance into one's self-fulfilling journey. By crossing the river at the beginning of his journey, Siddhartha traveled from his home (everything he knew) and entered the massive, ever-changing world. When he had seen all that he needed, Siddhartha returned, and crossed the river once more. The repeated action of crossing the river ties the story back to the beginning, bringing it full circle and giving this portion of chapter nine a natural concluding feeling.
ReplyDelete“It became nearly as radiant, nearly as aglow with happiness, shone in the same way out of a thousand little wrinkles, was just as much like a child’s and just as much like an old man’s.” (85)
ReplyDeleteI think this quote describing the similarities between Siddhartha’s appearance and Vasudeva’s is significant in the sense that again, something is being described as childlike. Siddhartha has emphasised his opinion on the childlike people. They are described as being inferior and ignorant. On the other hand, Siddhartha has also explained how they are lucky to be free of too much wisdom, to contain such wonder. In this context, though, the childlike appearance and radiation that is emanated from Siddhartha is a wonderful thing. It expresses the wonder he possesses for life and his innocent and naive energy. There is also another description listed, though, that being his appearance of an old man. This description emphasises his profound knowledge and experiences. However, he is knowledgeable in the correct way. He knows what does and does not matter in life and focuses that energy on things that the childlike people would- the beauty of life.