Summary Of Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha

Within this second quarter we were given the book Siddhartha to take in and comprehend, so that we may further our knowledge. The book Siddhartha was an interestingly, unique book. It was written by the German author, Hermann Hesse. Hesse was inspired to write the book after his trip to India where he became aroused by Eastern Mysticism. Siddhartha is the story of a father-son relationship, based on the early era of Gautama the Buddha. The book is about a well respected son of a Brahmin. Throughout the novel, the main character Siddhartha goes through the spiritual journey of discovering himself. Hermann Hesse was known to strongly dislike education at a young age. He didn’t go to a university and was a mechanic apprentice after graduating

It all started with the son of a Brahmin, who was expected to be as successful as his father. He felt as though there was more to life than all the wisdom that his village had provided to him. "[Siddhartha] had begun to feel that the love of his father and mother, and also the love of his friend Govinda, would not always make him happy, give him peace, satisfy and suffice him. He had begun to suspect that his worthy father and his other teachers, the wise Brahmins, had already passed on to him the bulk and best of their wisdom [but] his soul was not at peace." (Hesse, 3). One day, some Samanas came to the village, Samanas are half clothed, starved people who teach and preach different things compared to the Brahmin. Siddhartha had made the decision to become a Samana and have their knowledge answer his questions about life. Before taking on this new way of life, he had to get the approval of his father. With great persistence, Siddhartha’s father had been persuaded into letting his son do what he desires. Govinda, who is Siddhartha’s friend and biggest fan, decides to follow Siddhartha on this new journey. The two samanas later find the Gotama (Buddha) and his camp, where he preaches and accepts those who want to follow him as monks. Govinda listens to the speech and desires the new teachings, then he is accepted as a monk. "The teaching which you have heard...is

In the city he meets Kamala and Kamaswami who teaches him how to trade. Kamala soon becomes Siddhartha’s lover. As years pass, Siddhartha becomes rich and overwhelmed after the dream of Kamala’s dead songbird. He leaves without telling anyone and wanders until he finds the river and falls asleep. When he awakens he finds Govinda watching over him closely and recognizes him right away after so many years. After the two spend some time together and depart, Siddhartha meets Vasudeva who teaches him about the river and its secrets. Later, Kamala crosses the river with her eleven year old son to visit the Buddha who is on his deathbed. Kamala ends up getting bitten by a snake and dying on this trip, but before passing informs Siddhartha that this boy is their son. The spoiled little boy hates his father and ends up running away taking all of Siddhartha and Vasudeva’s money. Before leaving he states, "You want me to become like you, so pious, so gentle, so wise, but just to spite you, I would rather become a thief and a murderer and go to hell, than be like you. I hate you; you are not my father even if you have been my mother 's lover a dozen times!" (100). Siddhartha takes this as a way of payback, he had left his father to die alone and now feels as though he deserves this. He thought, "Had not his father suffered the same pain that he was now suffering for his son? Had not his father