The Author

Hermann Hesse
Born July 2, 1877 in Germany
Parents practices the Lutheran religion in a very strict
form.
Later, Hesse rejected his familys wishes that he
become a minister in order to pursue his writing
career.
In 1916, Hesses wife was placed in a mental
institution, his son contracted meningitis, and his
father died.
As a result of these pressures, Hesse entered a
sanitarium where he underwent psychoanalysis and
became interested in the ideas of Freud and Jung.

Siddhartha
Written as a quest
Siddhartha is set in India
Elements of both Hindu and Buddhist
thought are present
The novels protagonist searches
throughout his lifetime for his path to
Nirvana his escape from the cycle of
births and rebirths.

Structure
The book is divided into two distinct parts.
The first part describes Siddharthas
childhood and adolescent years, and
reaches its conclusion when he leaves
Govinda and the Buddha to seek a new life
in the world of nature, renouncing his past
life of asceticism.
It is devoted to his years of preparation for
life

Structure
The second part of the novel is devoted to his
years of experiencing life, and his eventual
attainment of a sense of serenity and harmony
with life.
Hesse is merely presenting Buddhism as a
framework for his novel and as a clear, logical
starting point for individuals seeking inner peace.
Pay attention to the division of the parts!
Part 1 (4 chapters): Four Noble Truths defined by
Buddha
Part 2 (8 chapters): Eightfold Path to Nirvana

Point of View
The story is told by an omniscient thirdperson narrator, with frequent direct and
indirect quotations of the words and thoughts
of various characters, especially Siddhartha.
Even though there is an omniscient narrator,
the reader is really being exposed continually
to Siddharthas point of view.
Pay attention to the shift of perspective at
the end of the novel.

Characters
Govinda
Friend, companion from youth
Follower of Siddhartha until the Buddha
Siddhartha encourages Govindas
independence from him
Govinda represents a follower one who
chooses his self by following others
Continues to seek until enlightened by
Siddhartha

Characters
Gotama Buddha
Founder of Buddhism
Has a profound effect on Siddharthas
search for meaning.

Terms
Nirvana: the state of perfect blessedness
achieved by the extinction of individual
existence and by the absorption of the soul
into the supreme spirit or by the extinction of
all desires and passions
Brahmin member of priestly class (highest
Hindu caste)
Brahma a god, creator of the universe
Brahman God, the supreme, ineffable spirit
Karma: the consequence of all ones actions in
ones lifetime ones fate or destiny
determined by consequences

Terms
Upanishads an ancient text that explicates
the Vedas and explains individualism;
teaches about the existence of a universal
soul
Maya illusion of time and space
Om this word represents creation,
preservation, and destruction, and it allows
a person who chants om to become
totally absorbed into the nameless; it is part
of a meditative chant which brings peace.