Siddhartha Essay Research Paper Hermann Hesse Siddhartha

Siddhartha Essay, Research Paper

Hermann Hesse. Siddhartha, translated by Hilda Rosner.

New York: Bantam Books. 1971. Pp. 152. $4.99.

A DEEPER MEANING

by Josh Shulman

Many books have great stories to tell. A lot have a deep message to convey. Siddhartha however, is a unique book. Though simple in its style, it is deep in meaning. One can take in its plot and get out of it a good story. On the other hand one can read deeper into it and try to find meaning from the story. Hermann Hesse somehow manages to tell something to the reader that is much deeper than the words he writes on the page. Perhaps it is the words he chooses that helps readers relate to Siddhartha. Maybe it.s the dreamlike feeling one gets after reading the book, partially due to how time is not linear in it. Whole years pass without notice, then just a day or two are focused on. This shows how Hesse is less concerned with the specific details of events or their times, but rather how they affect Siddhartha and what he gains from them. There is a theme of individuality that is developed through the course of the book. As Siddhartha becomes more of an individual, realizing he has to seek enlightenment on his own and for himself, he becomes more at peace and closer to his goal.

As a boy, Siddhartha was a promising Brahmin. His father was very proud of him and loved him deeply. Siddhartha was intelligent and thirsty for knowledge and was seen by his father as .a great learned man, a priest, a prince among Brahmins. (4). He had taken part in the learned men.s conversations, had engaged in debate with his deer and close friend Govinda, and had practiced the art of contemplation and meditation with him. Siddhartha made others happy just to see the hope and promise in him. He himself however, was not happy. Seeing his father whose thoughts Siddhartha believed were fine and noble and who he saw as a blameless man going to wash away his sins daily, when he obviously didn.t have any, made Siddhartha think that his father.s way was not the correct way. Siddhartha also believed that the wise Brahmin teachers had already passed on to him the bulk of their knowledge. With that, one day he and Govinda went to a banyan tree to pronounce Om, the sacred Hindu syllable. When Siddhartha was done meditating he no longer felt that he could stay there any more. He felt that in order to achieve inner peace he had to move on. Asking Govinda to come with him, he decided to join a band of Samanas. When he goes home to ask for his father.s permission, his father thinks for a long time before denying his son his request. Siddhartha stands in the same place all night in defiance and upon much consideration, his father finally grants him permission to leave. The next morning, Siddhartha and Govinda leave with the group of Samanas.

Siddhartha joined the Samanas and assumed the life of an ascetic hoping to attain Nirvana. He believed that by denying his body, his soul would flourish. To become empty of all things- thirst, desire, dreams, pleasure, and sorrow- was the only way to become empty and let the Self die. .He ate only once a day and never cooked food. He fasted for fourteen days. He fasted for twenty-eight days. The flesh disappeared from his legs and cheeks. Strange dreams were reflected in his enlarged eyes. The nails grew long on his thin fingers and a dry, bristly beard appeared on his chin. His glance became icy when he encountered women; his lips curled with contempt when he passed through a town of well-dressed people. He saw businessman trading, princes going to the hunt, mourners weeping over their dead, prostitutes offering themselves, doctors tending the sick, priests deciding the day for sowing, lovers making love, mothers soothing their children-and all were not worth a passing glance, everything lied, stank of lies; they were all illusions of sense, happiness and beauty. All were doomed to decay. The world tasted bitter. Life was pain. (13). Siddhartha was completely devoted to his goal. For a long time he was filled with pain and thirst until there was no more pain or thirst in him. Many times, Siddhartha felt that he was able to let his soul leave his body and be without his Self. Every time, however, it would return. He confided in Govinda, his shadow, who followed wherever Siddhartha went, that he now thought that this was not the correct route to Nirvana, that teachings couldn.t be. Govinda first thought that his friend was joking but when news of the Buddha, the Illustrious One, came and Siddhartha said he was leaving the Samanas and was going to see this Buddha, Govinda followed.

Together, Siddhartha and Govinda traveled to the town in which the Buddha was staying. They beg for food and are offered a place to stay the night. The next day they go to hear the Buddha.s preachings. Both of them agree that the Buddha is truly holy and enlightened. Govinda is so moved that he decides to stay. Siddhartha though, distrustful of teachings, decides he must continue on. Govinda is shocked that Siddhartha does not wish to stay here with this holy man and they part tearfully. Before leaving, Siddhartha goes to talk with the Buddha and tells that he is not staying because he doesn.t think that the Buddha can help him achieve Nirvana. The Buddha listens to him but is not upset by his words. Siddhartha believes that although the Buddha has taken his friend from him, he has