Siddhartha


 * Title**: Siddhartha
 * Author:** Hermann Hesse
 * Published:** 1951 in the US

Symbolism - characters are presented in an allegorical / archetypal fashion, with each person representing certain ideas. Symbolism also is used for objects such as the heron (life cycle and the oneness of all life), and the caged bird of Kamala (the freedom/ capture of one's spirit). Point of view: Limited omniscient, third-person narrator, focusing on Siddhartha's thoughts and emotions. Narrative style/ tone: The novel is written in a meditative tone which reinforces the self-reflective nature of Siddhartha. It is rythmic and sometimes repetitve, as one would repeat a mantra. Some passages are almost trance-like. Siddhartha: the protagonist, born into the privileged priestly class of the Brahmin in India. Leaves his home and parents to become a seeker of higher truth, struggles through many different stages on his path as he searches for enlightenment / Nirvana. Govinda: Siddhartha's loyal friend and follower, often acts as a student and a touchstone for Siddhartha. Kamala: A courtesan who Siddhartha falls in love with and marries. Later Kamala dies and Siddhartha tries to raise their son alone. Vasudeva: The ferryman/ guide who takes travelers across the river. Symbolically, he takes Siddhartha from one level of self-actualization to another. At the end of the novel, he is shown to be a being of light. Kamaswami: The merchant. He shows Siddhartha the world of money and material wealth. Gotama: the actual man known as Buddha, he travels the countryside teaching the eight-fold path. Siddhartha and Govinda follow him for a time. The samanas: group of nomadic monks who, as part of their religious beliefs, practice severe self-denials and deprive themselves of earthly pleasures. Siddhartha joins them upon leaving his home.
 * Setting:** Ancient India, at the time the Buddha lived, roughly 500 BC.
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 * Key themes/ motifs**: Searching for one's identity in the world, Finding spiritual truth, Becoming an authentic, self-actualized person, Learning from different mentors about various aspects of life, Understanding the oneness or connectedness of everything in the universe. The book touches on aspects of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs such as reincarnation, Atman, dharma, and karma.

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