Siddhartha: Review

By Herman HesseReview by Mina, Jenna, Tara, Sean, & Louie

Setting.

Siddhartha takes place in ancient India at around 600 BC, which is roughly the time when the Buddha would have lived.

The immediate setting changes several times throughout the story as Siddhartha travels.

He moves throughout ancient Indian civilization living as a member of most of the castes.

Towards the end, the major settings are the city where Siddhartha becomes a drunkard and addictive gambler, and the river where he lives with the ferryman and finds ohm.

Plot Summary.

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse is a tale of a young Brahman (Siddhartha) and his travels to find the deepest meaning of life; enlightenment. In doing so, Siddhartha finds himself in multiple situations; he first begins searching for knowledge in the philosophy of asceticism. He eventually strays from that path, however, upon realizing that denying his physical body will disrupt his road to enlightenment. He then goes on to dabble in a life of physical pleasure as a lover to a courtesan named Kamala, as well as in economic success as a businessman. Once again, these pleasures prove to be too superficial to satisfy his deeper side. Finally, he tries to reconcile with his spiritual and physical side through seeking guidance from a ferryman. He listens to the river day by day as he ferries people across, recognizes its natural beauty, and gradually is taught how to recognize the basic unity of all life in the world; he therefore achieves the enlightenment he searched so adamantly.

Main Characters.

Siddhartha - The novel’s protagonist. Siddhartha sets out on a quest for enlightenment and tests the religious philosophies he discovers. Siddhartha’s most defining characteristic is his desire for a transcendent, spiritual understanding of himself and the world. He devotes himself wholeheartedly to the pursuit of this understanding, even when the path is difficult. Outside forces do not easily sway Siddhartha, and he follows his heart. A man dedicated to his personal quest for knowledge, Siddhartha will abandon a course if he feels it is flawed. Siddhartha has a son, who is also named Siddhartha. Siddhartha (In-Depth Analysis)

Vasudeva - The enlightened ferryman who guides Siddhartha to a transcendent understanding of himself and the universe. Vasudeva is spiritually and socially flawless, and he ferries true seekers of wisdom to enlightenment. He is closely linked to the river, and he helps Siddhartha learn how to listen to the river’s secrets. Siddhartha achieves enlightenment only because of his association with Vasudeva. Govinda (In-Depth Analysis)

Govinda - Siddhartha’s best friend and sometimes his follower. Like Siddhartha, Govinda devotes his life to the quest for understanding and enlightenment. He leaves his village with Siddhartha to join the Samanas, then leaves the Samanas to follow Gotama. He searches for enlightenment independently of Siddhartha but persists in looking for teachers who can show him the way. In the end, he is able to achieve enlightenment only because of Siddhartha’s love for him.

Main Characters cont.

Kamala - A courtesan who instructs Siddhartha in the art of physical love. In addition to being Siddhartha’s lover, Kamala helps him learn the ways of the city and leave his ascetic life as a Samana behind. Just before she dies from a snakebite, she reveals that Siddhartha is the father of her son. Vasudeva (In-Depth Analysis)

Gotama - An enlightened religious leader with many followers. Also known as the Buddha, Gotama is said to have attained Nirvana. He teaches the Eightfold Path to his many followers as the way to achieve true enlightenment. Siddhartha and Govinda seek him out, but while Govinda becomes a follower, Siddhartha ultimately rejects him. Siddhartha concludes that while Gotama has achieved enlightenment, his teachings do not necessarily help others find enlightenment.

Kamaswami - An older businessman who teaches Siddhartha the art of business. Kamala refers Siddhartha to Kamaswami, and with Kamaswami’s guidance, Siddhartha successfully insinuates himself into the society of city-dwellers. Nonetheless, the lessons he learns from Kamaswami about the material world lead only to unhappiness. Money and business are just a game for Siddhartha, and they do not lead to fulfillment.

Main Characters cont.

Young Siddhartha -  Siddhartha’s son with Kamala. Young Siddhartha poses the final test Siddhartha must pass before enlightenment. When Kamala dies, young Siddhartha resists starting a new life with Siddhartha. He is a materialistic city-dweller, dislikes his father, and wants to return to his familiar city life. Siddhartha loves his son, and he must overcome this potentially binding love in order to achieve enlightenment. Just as Siddhartha’s own father had to let him go out on his own, Siddhartha must let his son discover the world for himself. Siddhartha (In-Depth Analysis)

Siddhartha’s Father -  A respected Brahmin in Siddhartha’s boyhood community. Siddhartha’s father familiarizes Siddhartha with many basic religious teachings, but he is unable to provide Siddhartha with the answers he needs, which leads to Siddhartha’s quest for enlightenment through other religious traditions. When the Samanas arrive to tempt Siddhartha away, Siddhartha’s father initially resists but eventually lets him go.

The Samanas - A group of traveling ascetics who believe that a life of deprivation and wandering is the path to self-actualization. The Samanas initially captivate Siddhartha and Govinda, but the two eventually forsake them to follow the teachings of Gotama. When Siddhartha eventually leaves the Samanas, he appears to have attained a superior level of spirituality. (spark notes)

Major Conflict.

The protagonist and antagonist in siddhartha is siddhartha himself. The major conflict throughout the entire novel is siddhartha’s internal search and journey for an absolute enlightenment. There are many phase’s throughout Siddhartha’s life until he reaches his goal of enlightenment. Siddhartha and Govinda his best friend first leave their home town and join a group of Samanas. Siddhartha leaves because he does not feel that he can reach his enlightenment in this town being a Brahmin. The Samanas believe in asceticism this is the deprivation of the body of all physical desire. Siddhartha goes through this stage but still he can not find enlightenment. Next Siddhartha visits the Gotama, the Buddha. Govinda believes that Gotama’s teachings are the path to enlightenment and stays with him. Siddhartha does not believe in this and continues his search. He next crosses the river with the help of Vasudeva, a ferryman who guides people on their paths. Siddhartha next encounters Kamala and stays with her for many years. This phase was the opposite of the Samanas. Siddhartha is seduced by material possession and business. This is all that he cares about and even becomes sick by it. Siddhartha realizes that he was lost on his path and had to continue his journey. He finds himself back at the River. Siddhartha stays and learns from the ferryman and the river. Kamala would later one day find Siddhartha and give him their son before she died. Siddhartha liked this very much but when his child grew up he fled from his father. Siddhartha was very said about this but it only furthered his journey. After this and from his learning’s from the River and Vasudeva Siddhartha would overcome his internal conflict and would reach enlightenment. He would now stay at the river and would be the next ferryman guide. The entire story is about Siddhartha’s internal conflict and struggle to find enlightenment. Each phase of his life would help Siddhartha on his journey.

Resolution of the Conflict. Siddhartha’s quest for enlightenment is long winded. In

order to achieve it, he must take a journey that first involves telling his Father that he is not satisfied with the mere teachings of Hinduism from holy books; rituals and mantras seem more to him like customs rather than true enlightenment. His friend Govinda follows Siddhartha on this path.

Siddhartha and Govinda first join the Samanas (wandering ascetics). Siddhartha seeks to fully rid himself of everything; wishes, joy, dreams, etcetera. He feels that in “destroying every impulse of his heart”, his innermost will be awakened. But he soon feels that self denial is not the way to enlightenment, and tells Govinda as such. They then hear of an enlightened man, Gotama the Buddha, and Siddhartha and Govinda desire to follow him instead of the Samanas. They both depart from the Samanas and seek out Gotama.

Resolution of the Conflict. When Siddhartha and Govinda arrive at a camp of Gotama’s

followers, they are welcomed. Gotama deeply impresses upon both Siddhartha and Govinda, but while Govinda completely devotes himself to Gotama, Siddhartha has doubts and leaves Govinda at the camp to explore the meaning of life that doesn’t rely solely on any religious teachings.

As Siddhartha heads away from the camp, he realizes that enlightenment can only come from “within himself”. He wanders aimlessly until he comes to a river where a ferryman lives. He crosses the river with the ferryman (Vasudeva) after spending the night at his house, and heads to a nearby village. He comes across Kamala, a courtesan, and is enraptured by her. He requests that she teach him the art of love, and she agrees to do so. He becomes employed to Kamaswami, a friend of Kamala’s, and becomes wealthy. He spends twenty years wrapped up in the life of a rich merchant, and recognizes one day that the spiritual voice within him is no longer there. The life he has been leading has given him only “pleasant oblivion”, but produced nothing. He leaves Kamala, pondering upon the paths he has taken so far.

Resolution of the Conflict.

Siddhartha heads back to the river, feeling miserable. He falls asleep on the grass, at loss of what to do next. When he awakes, he finds a meditating Buddhist next to him; it ends up being Govinda. Govinda tells him that he still is a follower of Gotama, and Siddhartha tells him that he, too, is still a spiritual pilgrim. Govinda is skeptical as he surveys Siddhartha’s well fed and clothed body, but accepts his statement and moves on. Siddhartha understands now that he has been over thinking too much about his path to enlightenment; he has been trying too hard. He decides to stay by the river. He soon comes across the ferryman named Vasudeva from before, and Vasudeva invites Siddhartha to stay with him once again. Siddhartha asks Vasudeva if he can live with him and become his assistant, and Vasudeva agrees.

Siddhartha learns from the river, as the ferryman has; time does not exist. In overcoming the idea of time, people overcome all suffering, difficulties and anxieties. During this period, Siddhartha comes across Kamala once again as she is bitten by a poisonous snake. She is holding a baby, her son. As she dies, Siddhartha realizes that the boy is in fact his own son and feels blessed because of it.

Resolution of the Conflict. As Siddhartha’s son stays with him and Vasudeva, Siddhartha realizes that his

son is spoiled and cynical. He has no desire to be anything like his father, and wishes to go back to his life of wealth. After going through constant battles with his son and trying to make him stay at the ferryman’s house instead of running away to the village, Siddhartha realizes that he must let his son go. As Siddhartha went on his own path by himself, he must let his son do the same.

After his son leaves, Siddhartha feels much pain. But after contemplating how he had done the same to his own father, he sympathizes with his son. “Some sorrows in life cannot be prevented,” he concludes. This brings him a new sense of peace, and he tells Vasudeva as such. Vasudeva then invites Siddhartha to sit with him at the river’s edge. As they listen to the river and Siddhartha sifts through his whole life, he finally comes to know that he no longer doubts his place in the world; he stops struggling with his fate. As Siddhartha finally reflects divine understanding, Vasudeva leaves him to be the ferryman.

Siddhartha learns many things along his rugged path to enlightenment; “that individuals must learn their own wisdom, not be taught it; that for every truth there is an opposite truth; the world is never incomplete or on a path to completeness.” In essence, “one can never communicate the entirety of enlightenment.”

Major Themes.

Search for enlightenment Finding enlightenment is the only way of

understanding the world. Throughout the novel, Siddhartha and Govinda are on their separate searches for the truths in the hopes that their efforts will help them to reach Nirvana, and find the meaning of life. The novel follows these searches for enlightenment.

Inner Guidance Siddhartha learns in his travels that he cannot reach

enlightenment through the guidance of a teacher of organized religion. He realizes that he must find enlightenment within himself, as he does at the end of the story, because inner guidance is the only way to reach enlightenment.

Examples for Themes. 1.The search for spiritual enlightenment Throughout the novel finding enlightenment is

the main goal for both Siddhartha and his friend Govinda.

The first example of this theme is when Siddhartha leaves his father and becomes a Samana. At this point both Siddhartha and Govinda are searching for Nirvana and Siddhartha feels that it would be more beneficial for him to take up the life of a Samana.

Siddhartha explains his thinking in the quote “ But where were the Brahmins, the priests, the wise men, who were successful not only in having this most profound knowledge, but in experiencing it?”. This clearly shows that he feels his life as a Brahmin will not lead to enlightenment.

The next example is when Siddhartha and Gotama leave the Samanas in order to further their search for Spiritual enlightenment.

They have heard that the Buddha was nearby and that he had reached Nirvana.

To Siddhartha the things that he could learn as a Samana are not important to him. Again the fact that Gotama has reached Nirvana is what ultimately convinces Siddhartha that the Buddha would be a better route than staying with the Samanas.

Siddhartha’s quote “I have no desire to walk on water.” shows how the arts practiced by the Samanas are not of value to him.

A final example of spiritual enlightenment is when Siddhartha stops trying to learn from the immaterial and attempts to find enlightenment from the material world.

He goes from meditating all the time to living as a merchant in a life of wealth.

After meeting Gotama Siddhartha came to the realization that he had never really viewed the world for what it was.

He then went to search the material world for happiness and for the ultimate goal of reaching Nirvana.

2. Interior vs. Exterior guidance

A second theme throughout the novel is the tactic of achieving Nirvana either through teachers or by following your inner self.

The first example of this is when Siddhartha chooses to give up the life as a Brahmin and lives with the Samanas.

One of his main reasons was that the teachers and wise men had never themselves reached Nirvana. Therefore how could they teach about achieving Nirvana if they had not experienced it.

A second example of following your inner self vs. teachers is when Govinda chooses to live as a Buddhist monk and Siddhartha does not.

After listening to Gotama speak, Siddhartha realizes that Nirvana is not something that can be taught. Gotama was not taught how to reach enlightenment, he just did.

Govinda chooses to stay and learn from the teacher Gotama however Siddhartha decides that he will never reach Nirvana that way. He decides to follow his inner self and go where ever it may take him.

A third example is the character Vasudeva who is a ferryman. Siddhartha lives with the ferryman and it is with him that Siddhartha reaches enlightenment.

Vasudeva is somewhat of a teacher for Siddhartha, however he is more of a guide.

This is because he never actually instructs Siddhartha how to reach enlightenment, he simply shows him ways by which he can do it.

A specific example is the river. Vasudeva never tells Siddhartha to listen to the river, he simply shows him how wise the river is and how it is possible to learn from it.

The river is also an external guide of sorts, although its wisdom really comes from within.

3. The Wisdom of Indirection

The final theme of the novel is indirection. The reason for this is that Siddhartha, instead of following a specific path, simply goes where ever his inner self takes him and takes things as they come.

The first example of this is that when the story begins both Siddhartha and Govinda seek enlightenment through regiment and directional mindsets of routine.

However after seeking enlightenment along this path with the Samanas, Siddhartha finds himself no more enlightened then he was when he began his quest.

A second example is when, after meeting Gotama, Siddhartha chooses to follow his inner self instead of staying with Gotama.

Govinda decides to stay with the monks and follow a strict regiment which they practice in order to find enlightenment.

Siddhartha on the other hand chooses to go where ever his feet take him on his quest where he learns a lot.

In the end it is Siddhartha who achieves enlightenment and it is he who teaches Govinda his source of enlightened thinking at the conclusion of the novel.

Characterization of 2 Major Characters. Siddhartha Siddhartha is totally consumed by his quest for spiritual enlightenment.

Though in his youth he learns the wisdom of his Brahmin heritage and masters the skills of the Samanas and the teachings of Gotama, the spiritual explanations that satisfy those around him are inadequate for Siddhartha because they do not lead to enlightenment. No matter how many others accept a particular religious explanation, Siddhartha will refuse the explanation if it rings false. Siddhartha seeks spiritual enlightenment at any cost, even when the search complicates other areas of life. Friends, lovers, and family members fall by the wayside when Siddhartha believes they are not compatible with his quest. Further, he believes no leader or philosophy is beyond questioning. Guided by a strong belief in his convictions, he argues with the head of the Samanas and even with the enlightened Gotama the Buddha himself. Siddhartha does not argue for argument’s sake, nor does he question wisdom out of a sense of pride or superiority. He finds logical flaws in the teachings put before him, and he seeks the truth.

Major Characters cont.

Siddhartha possesses an incredible degree of patience, which proves to be important since his quest takes a lifetime to fulfill. He progresses through successive spiritual explorations, experiences failure numerous times, but persists until he reaches his goal. The instantaneous, magical transmission of Nirvana from Siddhartha to Govinda demonstrates that Siddhartha has found the transcendent understanding they have both sought for so long. He has finally reached his goal.

Siddhartha is the Sanskrit name of the Buddha and means “he who is on the proper road” or “he who achieves his goal.” Hesse is not attempting to directly portray the life of the Buddha himself through Siddhartha but to use Siddhartha as a means of discussing a path to enlightenment. At the same time, many striking similarities exist between Siddhartha and the actual Buddha. For example, both left promising lives in their pursuit of knowledge. In Siddhartha’s case, he leaves Kamala when he becomes disillusioned with the material world, while the Buddha left a wife and son to become an ascetic. Both studied with ascetics, and both spent many years in study by a river, finally achieving enlightenment. Siddhartha has succeeded in his own arduous quest, and at the end of the novel, he is poised to take on followers of his own. (Spark notes)

Major characters cont.

Govinda Siddhartha’s best friend, Govinda, is also an earnest spiritual pilgrim but does not

question teachings to the same extent Siddhartha does. For example, though Govinda is excited at the chance to follow Gotama, Siddhartha goes along but says he has lost his faith in teachers. When Siddhartha decides to leave Gotama’s side, Govinda instead remains stalwartly committed. Govinda does not choose his own path but follows the suggestions of others. Similarly, when the two old friends meet in the end, Govinda quickly apprentices himself to Siddhartha because Siddhartha has attained the Nirvana they both seek. The significant difference between Govinda and Siddhartha is that Govinda is primarily a follower, whereas Siddhartha is more inclined to strike out on his own path. This difference is one of the reasons Siddhartha is eventually able to achieve enlightenment through his own efforts, while Govinda needs assistance in order to achieve the same state. Siddhartha is better able to see the truth before him because of his self-reliance. Govinda needs others to point out the wisdom he should follow and is unable to see when he is following a flawed path and, ultimately, when he is nearing enlightenment.

At the beginning of their quest, when Govinda joins the Samanas, he may well have gone along simply to be with his friend. However, the severity and austere nature of their new lifestyle leaves little reason to doubt Govinda’s conviction. He may be more of a follower than Siddhartha is, but his conviction and determination to find enlightenment are still strong. He does, after all, eventually find enlightenment, just as Siddhartha does—he just arrives at it in a different way.

(spark notes)

Direct Quotes #1.

“The reason why I do not know anything about myself, the reason why Siddhartha has remained alien and unknown to myself is due to one thing, to one single thing- I was afraid of myself, I was fleeing from my self. I was seeking Brahman, Atman, I wished to destroy myself, to get away from myself, in order to find in the unknown innermost, the nucleus of all things, Atman, Life, the Diving, the Absolute. But by doing so, I lost myself on the way.” p.38

The meaning of this quote is that even though Siddhartha wanted to find his absolute and reach Nirvana, he could only find this within himself. Instead of trying to reach this supreme power with the help of other people and beliefs he had lost the most important influence on this, and that was himself.

This quote is very significant because by Siddhartha realizing that he has lost himself on his journey makes him have the ability to change and find himself. As a reader you can know see that Siddhartha is really learning and growing on his travels because he can realize when he is in the wrong or right.

Direct Quote #2.

“That is it,” said Siddhartha, “and when I learned that, I reviewed my life and it was also a river, and Siddhartha the boy, Siddhartha the mature man and Siddhartha the old man, were only separated by shadows, not through reality. Siddhartha’s previous lives were also not in the past, and his death and his lives were also not in the past, and his death and his return to Brahma are not in the future. Nothing was nothing will be, everything has reality and presence.”

The meaning of this quote means that when Siddhartha was with the Ferryman he really started to be enlightened and realize many important aspects of life. By stating this, Siddhartha understands that he can not control the future, or change the past, all he can do is live in the presence and enjoy his life.

The significance of this quote to the novel, is that by Siddhartha realizing this, he is one more step to becoming enlightened, and reach his absolute. In life, everyone really needs to learn that you can not control the future, or what has happened in the past, all you can do is live day by day and live that to the fullest.

Literary Element.

The River The river in siddhartha’s journey is symbolic of life and time. The

river is symbolic of the path that life took Siddhartha on until he reached enlightenment. The river is constantly flowing just like the flow of time, this perpetual movement represents the journey of life. Siddhartha listens, watches, and completely takes in the river. He learns the way of life from the river until he reaches his enlightenment. The river symbolizes his path in life.

The Ferryman- The Ferryman (Vasudeva) in siddhartha is symbolic as a guide on

the path to enlightenment. The Ferryman does not tell siddhartha what to do but rather guides him in what he wants to do. The ferryman takes siddhartha were he wants to go. The ferryman does not teach siddhartha how to react to enlightenment but how to find in himself his own path to enlightenment. They do this by observing and learning from the river, which is symbolic of life. The ferryman symbolizes the only guide who can bring a person to enlightenment.