Siddhartha

Facts: Herman Hesse wrote the novel in 1922. It is 150 pages long. Siddhartha Gotama is the name of the Buddha, but for the sake of the novel they are separated.

Synopsis: A comprehensive journey through life and an exploration of various ideas. After many trials, false starts, and pitfalls; the main character finds enlightenment.

Siddhartha: Everyone had pride for him and loves him. His parents, teachers, friends all praise and adore him. This disquiets Siddhartha and encourages him to seek another source of knowledge. At first he lives the religious life of the Brahmans and follows their rituals, but he soon becomes disillusioned. He seeks solace with the ascetics. He loses weight, judges others for their hedonism and abstains from all worldly pleasures. Soon, he realizes that he may have learned little more than a drunkard. That all he has learned is little more than a replacement for ritual and hedonism. That abstinence carries with it a pride that leads back to the Self. He has a voracious appetite for knowledge. He goes from his father’s house, to asceticism, to materialism, to labor, to love, and through all this learns about unity. He has a short meeting with the Buddha. His next stop is to be materialistic. He learns from a prostitute, works for a businessman, and indulges in gambling. In the end he rejects this life. He goes to the river and lives a simple life as a ferryman. This still does not assuage his need to understand. He learns he has a son, tries to control him, and has to let him go. In the end, he discovers that all things are one and that the truth can be learned from observing anything in nature.

“Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom.” - Siddhartha, Siddhartha, Herman Hesse

Govinda: Travels with Siddhartha and shares in his journey. He is a touchstone, a mirror to discuss where they have been and what they have experienced. He believes Siddhartha will be a great spiritual leader and he is determined to be at his side. He plays the role of Siddhartha’s conscience from time to time. He seeks wisdom with the Buddha. He seeks solace in ritual, words, and thoughts. He does not find peace. He meets Siddhartha several times in the novel, but does not initially recognize him each time. At the end of the novel Siddhartha bequeaths truth and peace on Govinda.

“I will never cease seeking. That seems to be my destiny.” - Govinda, Siddhartha, Herman Hesse

Samanas: Ascetics. They have not reached Nirvana. They have given up all worldly pleasure and believe denial is the answer to wisdom. They are haughty in that they percieve desire as weakness and their denial of it as something to be proud of. They disapprove when Siddhartha leaves them.

“This fruit, for which we are already indebted to Gotama, consists in the fact that he has enticed us away from the Samanas.” - Siddhartha, Siddhartha, Herman Hesse

Gotama Buddha: Mostly a background character. Siddhartha does get a chance to speak with him. The Buddha simply smiles and calls Siddhartha clever. The theme of too much thought leading you astray is prevalent in the work. Enlightenment is represented by simplicity and foolishness. It is possible, concerning time and oneness that Siddhartha and Gotama are the same being, though they are clearly presented as separate humans in the novel.

“Be on your guard against too much cleverness.” - Gotama, Siddhartha, Herman Hesse

Kamala: A prostitute and materialist. Siddhartha asks her to teach him her ways. She becomes his lover. She cannot read and write, and sees it as a useful skill that Siddhartha possesses. She has a son with Siddhartha whom she dotes upon and spoils. On her way to see the Buddha she dies at the hands of a snake.

“Why should I be afraid of a Samana, a stupid Samana from the forest, who comes from the jackals and does not know anything about women? - Kamala, Siddhartha, Herman Hesse

Little Siddartha: He is spoiled and doted upon by his mother. He is young and has only experienced the worldly way of materialism. He rebels against his father’s austerity, kindness, and piety. Siddhartha makes him guilt ridden and shameful for his desires. He leaves for the town to pursue his own path.

“You want me to become like you, so pious, so gentle, so wise, but just to spite you, I would rather become a thief or a murderer and go to hell, than be like you.” - Little Siddhartha, Siddhartha, Herman Hesse

Kamaswami: A wealthy businessman. He is very serious about his business. He likes the finer things, and thinks in earthly material terms. He is baffled by Siddhartha’s detachment. He provides Siddhartha with a means to remain in the world among the people.

“This Brahmin,” he said to a friend, “is no real merchant and will never be one; he is never absorbed in the business.” - Kamaswami, Siddhartha, Herman Hesse

The Ferryman (Vasudeva): A wise holy man, who labors as a ferryman, who waits for Siddhartha to learn from the river before vanishing into the forest. He is a supreme listener and claims that the river will teach Siddhartha everything he yearns for. He treats Siddhartha with patience and understanding. He imparts wisdom, but let’s Siddhartha forge his own path. This is most apparent with Siddhartha’s son. He recognizes that the child is spoiled, but that Siddhartha inadvertently punishes the child by trying to force a lifestyle on him. He is a vector for Siddhartha’s own enlightenment and an alternative to the Buddha.

“Yes, I am going into the woods; I am going into the unity of all things,” - Vasudeva, Siddhartha, Herman Hesse,