Comparing Siddhartha And One Day In The Life Of Ivan Denisovich

In the following novels: Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach, Siddhartha by, Hermann Hesse, and One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn, the protagonists share the same characteristics to overcome the conflicts that arise in their lives. Jonathan, a seagull is an outcast from his flock as he had different goals from the other gulls. Siddhartha, a brahmin had the same intent as his peers, however, he did not follow the same path as they to Nirvana. Lastly, Ivan Denisovich is a prisoner in a prison camp in Siberia and has been there for last eight years. The traits: determination, ambition, and open mindedness allow these individuals to survive in their own environments. To begin, determination enables these characters to stay alive. Jonathan’s persistence to learn how to fly at top speeds gives him the ability to reach his goals. If he did not have the love for flying he would have an ordinary life, always fighting for food. Due to his persistence he is able to reach perfect speed and to showcase the beauty …show more content…
Jonathan is ambitious as it states in the text, “‘Can you teach me to fly like that?’ Jonathan Seagull trembled to conquer another unknown.” This proves that he has the ambition although he has no knowledge about the goal he is seeking. Because of his ambition this causes him to reach Heaven. Ivan shows his ambition through hiding a hacksaw in his left mitten although the guards are likely going to punish him for it. Luckily before the guards find the hacksaw their chief gives them a new task. By taking the risk he now has money for extra portions of bread, therefore leading him towards extra benefits. Siddhartha is ambitious as he reaches out to Kamala telling her that he wants to become her man. This shows his ambition since his original goal is not to marry, however find enlightenment. Due to his ambitions, he learns his true intentions and how this kind of life is not for