Siddhartha Essay

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Title: Siddhartha Author: Hermann Hesse Date Published: 1922 Country of Origin: Germany Genre: Novel Point of View: 3rd Person Omniscient Characters: Siddhartha- Main character that many loved but was errant yet assiduous as he set out on a search to find happiness. Govinda- Siddhartha’s childhood friend who loves and admires Siddhartha dearly. He showed fidelity to his friend until a plight caused them to separate and go their separate ways. Vasudava- A ferryman that Siddhartha meets in the beginning and is reunited with in the end. He is mundane and profound. Kamala- A condescending courtesan who Siddhartha befriends. She teaches Siddhartha “how to love”. Setting: The main setting takes in Ancient India between 6th-5th century B.C.E. But other parts of the story take place at his family home in the beginning of the story when he is still at home. He then lives in the forest with the Samanas before he moves into the city where he meets Kamala. At the end of the Novel, he ends up living with the ferryman Vasudeva at the river. Plot Summary: Siddhartha and Govinda grow up together as the children of Brahmins. Siddhartha is loved by all his family and friends, but still feels a void. His soul is like a “waiting vessel” and he wants to be enlightened, so he sets out to find it and him and Govinda become Samanas. They are Samanas for a few years but do not find enlightenment there, so they move on. During this, Siddhartha and Govinda go their separate ways in order to try and find having nothing to having everything that he wants. Yet, he is still unhappy. So he leaves once again. He comes across a river and Vasudeva, and it is through them that he finds inner peace, enlightenment, and Nirvana. Literary Devices: Irony: Govinda protected Siddhartha from being bitten by a snake, and Kamala got bit by a snake and died. Foreshadowing: Siddhartha’s dream and

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