Siddhartha was an exemplary man who was loved by all. He was well educated, strong, handsome, and graceful. He pleased everyone, but he himself was never content. He did not find peace because the teachings of the elders and the customs of his culture were never enough for him. The quote is metaphor
In the novel How to Read Novels Like a Professor, the author, Thomas Foster speaks of how an opening page must “seduce the reader” and “give you everything you need to know.” This idea is present in William Goldman’s The Princess Bride, as the first page is full of intriguing writing techniques, starting with a very intimate tone. Tone is one of the “eighteen beauties” Foster mentions. Here, Goldman wants to build a connection with the readers.
The book, True Notebooks, by Mark Salzman, is about the author volunteering at L.A.’s juvenile hall to teach young offenders how to write. The teenage boys in his class are high-risk offenders, they are in custody for murder or other serious crimes. This book is a great read for anyone, especially writing students, who can gain inspiration from these troubled kids who express themselves through their writing. This book should be required reading in Professor Marquez’ English B50 class because it is captivating, moving, and it can motivate a struggling writing student.
In the novel Siddhartha, written by Herman Hesse, the hero’s journey is fit perfectly into words, as readers experience the riches of Siddhartha, a wealthy Brahmin’s son, who faces the ultimate question whether there is more for him in the world than within the boundaries of his comfortable life. “In the shade of the house, in the sunshine on the river bank by the boats, in the shade of the sallow wood and the fig tree, Siddhartha, the handsome Brahmin’s son, grew up with his friend Govinda”(1). This is a brilliant representation of Siddhartha’s normal life, as well as the start to this quickly unraveling story. Already briefly mentioned is supporting character Govinda, who will later play an important role in Siddhartha’s journey. Govinda is a friend.
Siddhartha’s experiences with the Brahmins, the Samanas, Kamala and the City and as a Ferryman all contribute to his idea of what is right and essentially good. Overall, he leaves the establishments and people he finds because he does not believe their ways anymore but instead wants to pursue something else until he finds peace as a ferryman. Throughout Siddhartha’s journey he encounters people who question what he believes in and show them what they think is the ‘good life’ but he ultimately follows his own beliefs despite of this.
“One must find the source within one’s own self, one must possess it” (Siddhartha p. 5). Good morning students, my name is Michaela Laffey and I am an enlightened critic from NBCC. The National Book Critic Circle, here to enlighten to you today about the book Siddhartha written by author Hermann Hesse. If I was to ask you all a question, who are you? How would you answer it?
Siddhartha realizes he is no longer comfortable just sitting around as the big fish in a little pond, and he would like to seek true illumination that he feels cannot be found in their town. As he states to his father, “I have come to tell you that I wish to leave your house tomorrow and join the ascetics.” (Hess, p. 10). In other words, he decides to break away from his childhood village and pursue enlightenment by practicing self-discipline (becoming an ascetic). Although he tries to reach nirvana in numerous different manners, his final goal never truly changes.
“No, a true seeker could not accept any teachings, not if he sincerely wished to find something,” (Hesse, 90). Herman Hesse illustrates in his novel, Siddhartha, that one must go through their own journey in life to find what they are really searching for. Hesse portrays this through his character, Siddhartha, who went through many mentors such as the Samana group and the Buddha, who taught Siddhartha, but did not satisfy his needs. Siddhartha discovered through multiple teachers that he must walk his own path to find his true meaning in life. Siddhartha was dissatisfied with his life, and had decided to join the Samana group, hoping that it would fulfill his desire to find his meaning in life.
Wisdom is a trait many people desire, but wisdom is gained through self-experience and cannot be taught. In the novel, Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse the protagonist Siddhartha identifies he can only learn from himself, when he converses with Gotama and discovers his teachings have flaws. “You have learned nothing through teachings, and so I think, O Illustrious One, that nobody finds salvation through teachings. (Hesse 27)” This is the pivotal moment for Siddhartha, from this moment forward, he knows to follow his own path in order to achieve Nirvana.
I chose this book because I can relate to how Siddhartha felt throughout this book. He had a feeling of discontent and dissatisfaction. He felt that something was missing but could not figure out what it was. He followed his religion fully, fulfilled the requirements and rituals and was following what should have brought him peace and happiness within himself and those around him. Siddhartha had been a follower of his father who was incredibly wise, though at times he thought his father was too wise and had preached all of his wisdom to the others in the community they resided.
Part of growing up is leaving your parents and determining what is best for yourself instead of listening to what others think is best for you. In both Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse and the movie Dead Poets Society we were introduced to characters who were beginning to make these steps in life; Siddhartha himself, and Neil Perry. While each character had many differences, they both faced the same problem, their fathers had set out a plan for their lives that they would follow no matter what was for their best interest. These plans not only were nothing similar to what the boys wanted in life, but led to each of them turning against their parents wishes. The decision to disobey their family’s wishes led both Neil Perry and Siddhartha to find what truly made them happy in life.
The book Siddhartha is about a young man who goes on a journey to find his true meaning in life and to find enlightenment. It takes him a while to realize his purpose in life but eventually finds it through a ferryman. In the book, Siddhartha experiences two forms of suffering:physical and mental. He goes through the physical pain of the Samaras but also passes through the mental pain of finding his way and dealing with his son. He also finds joy in his son and being enlightened.
Any individual lives their life with many different types of influences, coming from both objects and people. In Hermann Hesse’s novel Siddhartha, a man unknowingly travels down the path of enlightenment. The man known as Siddhartha travels to seek the knowledge he longs for and encounters multiple influences along the way. These influences play an important role in the novel for him. Some of the influences in Siddhartha’s life include Kamala, his son, and the river since they help him to understand what he seeks and are the main reasons for him achieving enlightenment.
Each individual embarks on his or her own hero’s journey in life, some finding peace and enlightenment while others suffer greatly. In Hermann Hesse’s novel Siddhartha, the author slowly shows Siddhartha’s path towards finding the self and enlightenment through conflict and resolution. Finding himself is difficult, but once he does, Siddhartha is released from sorrow and depression, which finally enables him to reach enlightenment and peace. Hesse portrays Siddhartha’s spiritual hero’s journey by using unique conflicts to reveal his true self through independence, mindfulness, and responsibility.
And Herman Hesse shows this by showing their trust for each other. When Siddhartha first leaves home he experiences many trials and tribulations From being a Samana, to going to the city, to almost committing suicide. Who was always there? The Ferryman. Siddhartha trusts him almost like a father, he understands all that he has gone through.
