1. English 12 - Mr. Rinka Lesson #55 Hermann Hesse & Siddhartha

2. Recommended German Readings Johann Wolfang von Goethe – Faust Brothers Grimm - Children's and Household Tales (Grimm’s Fairy Tales) Thomas Mann – The Magic Mountain

3. Recommended German Readings Erich Maria Remarque – All Quiet on the Western Front Anne Frank – The Diary of a Young Girl (The Diary of Anne Frank) Herman Hesse - Steppenwolf

4. Hermann Hesse Hermann Hesse (July 2, 1877 – August 9, 1962) was a German-Swiss poet, novelist, and painter. His best- known works include Steppenwolf, Siddhartha, and The Glass Bead Game, each of which explores an individual's search for authenticity, self-knowledge and spirituality. In

5. 1946, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature.

6. Siddhartha http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhartha_(novel) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhartha_(novel) Siddhartha is a novel by Hermann Hesse that deals with the spiritual journey of self-discovery of a man named Siddhartha during the time of the Buddha. The book, Hesse's ninth novel (1922), was written in German, in a simple, lyrical style. It was published in the U.S. in 1951

7. and became influential during the 1960s. The word Siddhartha is made up of two words in the Sanskrit language, siddha (achieved) + artha (meaning or wealth), which together means "he who has found meaning (of existence)" or "he who has attained his goals". In fact, the Buddha's own name before his

8. renunciation was Siddhartha Gautama, Prince of Kapilvastu. In this book, the Buddha is referred to as "Gotama".

9. Characters http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhartha_(novel) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhartha_(novel) Siddhartha: The protagonist Govinda: A friend and follower of Siddhartha Siddhartha’s Father: A Brahmin who was unable to satisfy Siddhartha's quest for enlightenment. The Samanas: Traveling ascetics who tell Siddhartha that deprivation

10. leads to enlightenment. Gotama: A spiritual leader Buddha, whose Teachings are rejected and whose power of self-experience and self-wisdom is completely praised by Siddhartha. Kamala: A courtesan and Siddhartha's sensual mentor, mother of his child, Young Siddhartha. Kamaswami: A merchant who

11. instructs Siddhartha on business. Vasudeva: An enlightened ferryman and spiritual guide of Siddhartha. Young Siddhartha: Son of Siddhartha and Kamala. Lives with Siddhartha for a time but runs away.

12. Summary http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhartha_(novel) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhartha_(novel) The story takes place in ancient India. Siddhartha, the son of a Brahmin, decides to leave behind his home in the hopes of gaining spiritual illumination by becoming an ascetic wandering beggar of the Samanas. Joined by his best friend Govinda, Siddhartha fasts, becomes

13. homeless, renounces all personal possessions, and intensely meditates, eventually seeking and personally speaking with Gotama, the famous Buddha, or Enlightened One. Afterward, both Siddhartha and Govinda acknowledge the elegance of the Buddha's teachings. Although Govinda hastily joins the Buddha's order, Siddhartha

14. does not follow, claiming that the Buddha's philosophy, however supremely wise, does not account for the necessarily distinct experiences of each person. He argues that the individual seeks an absolutely unique and personal meaning that cannot be presented to him by a teacher; he thus resolves to carry on his quest alone.

15. Siddhartha crosses a river and the generous ferryman, whom Siddhartha can not pay, merrily predicts that Siddhartha will return to the river later to compensate him in some way. Venturing onward toward city life, Siddhartha discovers Kamala, the most beautiful woman he has yet seen. Kamala, a courtesan of affluent men, notes

16. Siddhartha's handsome appearance and fast wit, telling him that he must become wealthy to win her affections so that she may teach him the art of love. Although Siddhartha despised materialistic pursuits as a Samana, he agrees now to Kamala's suggestions. She directs him to the employ of Kamaswami, a local businessman, and insists that he have Kamaswami treat him as an

17. equal rather than an underling. Siddhartha easily succeeds, providing a voice of patience and tranquility against Kamaswami's fits of passion, which Siddhartha learned from his days as an ascetic. Thus, Siddhartha becomes a rich man and Kamala's lover, though in his middle years realizes that the luxurious lifestyle he has chosen is merely a game, empty of spiritual fulfillment.

18. #55 LA 12 Siddhartha

19. A Character’s Evolution A universal character development throughout literature includes three stages: Innocence Experience Redemption

20. Innocence All People are born innocent babies As children we play, pretend, enjoy, imagine and dream. Life is grand and exciting. Curiosity stimulates our learning. However, outside factors begin to shape our lives.

21. Siddhartha’s innocence is reflected in his early life of wealth, security and family. This is a dependent life. As he grows, changes take place that encourages a sense of independence and self-identity. His childish curiosity stimulates this new personal need.

22. Experience As we grow into adulthood, our experiences form our behaviors. Our responses to experience whether good or bad are influenced by our younger past. Sometimes positive character traits come forward while other times negative ones do.

23. Our lives are steered by these character traits. All too often when the negative traits come forward, other people are hurt. If negative traits dominate our adult lives, much harm can be produced. Some never realize this, but others eventually face the true value of life.

24. Siddhartha breaks ties with his family in search of self-identity. This is a natural human need for independence and growth. His experiences as an adult lead him to explore both the human need for “spiritual” and “secular” growth. His experiences will “integrate” and help produce his true identity.

25. In the first half of the story we are witnessing Siddhartha’s journey through the first two stages. We see the results in the second half of the story.

26. Redemption There are times in an individual’s life when self-reflection and self- awareness illustrate to us the consequences of our actions, good and bad. We are enlightened. We know what really makes us happy.

27. This ultimate awareness of what makes people truly happy always deals with acceptance of oneself and kindness and compassion for others. Such realizations come with a variety of life-experiences and the personal integration of the lessons learned.

28. Assignment #1 & #2 Continue reading to the beginning of the Chapter entitled “By the River.” (p. 51 in the enclosed text). #55 LA 12 Siddhartha http://www.gutenberg.org/files/250 0/2500-h/2500-h.htm#2H_4_0009

29. English 12 - Mr. Rinka Lesson #55 Hermann Hesse & Siddhartha