Theme Of Self Discovery In Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha

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A fish, confined to the small waters of a round glass bowl, encompasses something much larger than itself. The same as a tiger, unrestrained, roaming the vast jungle. And the same as a human. Every living thing must meet some form of an end. Whether this pause is believed to be peaceful and positive or painful and agonizing is based upon experience; nevertheless, it is an inevitable limit that is one day attained by all. Siddhartha, a book of self discovery by author Hermann Hesse, constantly builds upon ideas of a man who starts off as a young boy, like any other. One that will refine every thought that had ever slipped into his mind, use every experience that he has come to live through, and make something of himself- to his standards. …show more content…
Although handsome, smart, and with much potential, “the seeds of discontent” (Hesse 5) grow within the main character. On a journey to rid himself of all human qualities, there is more than a repetition of subconscious and innermost thought, there is an overarching theme of death. It’s relationship with Siddhartha grows to be the leading reason for his elaborate success.
When first being told “you will die” (Hesse 11) by his own father after pleading to leave to pursue a new way of life, Siddhartha merely replies back with a restatement of the same thing: “I will die” (Hesse 11). It is just another action to Siddhartha. One more unavoidable fragment of what seems to be an undefined path. Stripped down to his bare bones and with with all possessions surrendered, Siddhartha lives with the Samanas, looking at people through a new lense. With glances becoming “icy” (Hesse 13) and lips that “curled with contempt” (Hesse 13) he is no longer one of them. Formerly relating to these people of Om and Atman, Siddhartha now looks at them repulsively. He sees them as living a pointless, conforming
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While peacefully listening to the river with Vasudeva, the ferryman, a piece of Siddhartha's past is brought back. There is rumor that “the Illustrious One was seriously ill and would soon suffer his last mortal death and attain salvation” (Hesse 109). The Buddha acted as the drive for the independence and freedom of Siddhartha, a significant turning point as he follows his own path. The death of this holy one may represent the loss of influence that the Buddha from years ago has on present day Siddhartha.
Kamala, the lover he had left long ago is also brought into the picture. She is bitten by a snake on her way to see the Buddha. Aware of the circumstances, the two men notice this and take her and her son back to their hut where they tend to her. It is there that Siddhartha declares that “she is dying” and within time, sees life “fade from her eyes” (Hesse 112). Her death, too, may signify the unimportance of love to Siddhartha compared to the big picture of his life. Though, it is worthy to note that Govinda, starting and ending as Siddhartha’s “shadow” (Hesse 5), returns into Siddhartha's life after many years of being

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