After the novel "Steppe Wolf" "Siddhartha", perhaps the most famous work of the German prose writer Hermann Hesse. Literary scholars attribute it to an allegorical parable. At the center of the story is a young brahmana whose name is rendered in the title. The novel was first published in a Berlin publishing house in 1922.
The Way to Siddhartha
One of the most famous German writers of the early XX century is Hermann Hesse. Siddhartha is his eighth novel. He began his journey into great literature in 1904 by publishing Peter Kamentsind. The novel is about a beginner writer who moves from a small alpine village to Zurich, trying to find his place in the world. In a similar style, Hesse's next work “Under the Wheel” is about the gifted boy Hans Gebenrat, who studies in an elite seminary. In her native village she cannot make friends with anyone, she goes to the blacksmith's apprenticeship, however, she dies in the finale under strange circumstances. Many Hessian researchers believe that this incident was suicide.
In the novel "Demiana" in 1919, the writer’s passion for psychoanalysis is pronounced. Starting from this work, Hermann Hesse regularly turns to this psychological theory. Siddhartha is no exception.
A novel about a young brahmana
For an author like Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha, whose content is mesmerizing from the first pages, is a great way to convey your thoughts and ideas to the reader. The main characters are the young Brahmin Siddhartha and his close friend Govinda. They devote their lives to the search for the Atman. Atman is one of the key concepts of Indian philosophy and Hinduism. This is an eternal entity, a higher "I", which is in every person and all living beings in principle.
In search of truth
Siddhartha also embarks on this path. German Hesse makes him beggar and ascetic, the only way to achieve the desired result, he said. He is followed by his friend Govinda. On the way, the main character begins to suspect that all his thoughts are wrong. But still he makes a pilgrimage to Gautama, but does not accept his teachings.
He believes that it is impossible to become a Buddha by succumbing to one's influence or teaching. The paths of enlightenment must be achieved only on one’s own experience. Therefore, he decides to go on his way, while his friend Govinda joins the disciples of Gautama.
Barely astray
Leaving Gautama, the main character seeks to know the surroundings and the amazing beauties of the world. So continues to describe his further wanderings of Hermann Hesse. Siddhartha arrives in a big city in which he meets a girl of easy virtue - Kamalu. He asks her to teach him the art of love.
However, money is required for this, and considerable. Therefore, he goes into trade. Thanks to his not-so-educated education and intelligence, he is making progress, his affairs are soon going uphill. At the same time, he was skeptical at first about the worldly needs of a person for money and power, even calling it a strange feature of “people-children”. However, he soon plunges into luxury and becomes one of their representatives. Enlightenment to the main character comes in many years, he suddenly remembers why he started this path and what he should come to.
On the road again
In the novel, a sharp turn, Hermann Hesse sends his hero on a new journey. Siddhartha leaves the rich mansion in one day, drops everything and leaves Kamala pregnant with him (which he had no idea about).
Soon he reaches the river, which he already crossed when the ferryman prophesied his return. He is in a serious state of mind, almost dying, deciding to commit suicide and drown. However, he is saved, but realizes that he was only more strongly caught in the wheel of Samsara. This is another of the key concepts in Hindu philosophy, meaning the cycle of birth and death in various worlds, limited by the karma of a particular person.
Awakening from a deep sleep, Siddhartha discovers beside him a former comrade Govinda, who many years ago chose the teachings of Buddha and followed him. After talking with Govinda, the author immerses his hero in meditation - this is a distinctive technique used by Hermann Hesse. Siddhartha feels that he is again at the beginning of his path. He is even more acutely aware that other people's knowledge is nothing, only personal experience is important.
In the same river twice
As mentioned above, the main character returns to the river, which he crossed many years ago. The book Siddhartha further narrates about his new path. Hermann Hesse brings his character with the ferryman Vasudeva again. They become colleagues, crossing the needy across a river barrier.
Vasudeva plays a large role in the novel, it is he who teaches the main character the ability to listen to nature and learn from it. In particular, they turn to the river.
Relationship with son
Many literary scholars believe that this is precisely the best novel that Hermann Hesse created. Siddhartha, a brief summary of which can be found and read without difficulty, makes it possible to penetrate many aspects of human life, but it will not be possible to understand all the thoughts that the author has put into the work. Highlights remain unclear. It is better to read the novel in its entirety.
Soon after the events described, the protagonist meets his beloved with his son, whose existence he did not know. The boy was called the same as his father, Siddhartha. Kamala tragically dies after a snake bite. Siddhartha is trying to teach his son a calm view of the world, however, a young man, pampered by life in luxury, does not accept this state of affairs.
Much later, the protagonist realizes that he made the same mistake that Buddha Gautama had previously blamed for - he tried to direct his son on the path of knowledge, not allowing him to achieve everything with his own experience. As a result, the negative response is that Siddhartha’s son escapes back to the rich and luxurious city. The father first tries to catch up with him, but in time he understands that this is pointless, and frees his son from his influence.
The question is whether he did the right thing, the hero will be tormented for a very long time, until all doubts are dispelled and he does not realize that there is wisdom. This time, the ferryman Vasudeva again acts as a mentor, he again calls to listen and learn from nature, observe the river, and understand what it carries. After all, she is a unique entity, constantly changing in its course and at the same time remaining unchanged, always the same river. As a result, the ferryman leaves Siddhartha, going to the forest for the last solitude in his life, and the main character takes his place on the river ferry.
The finale of the novel
And today there are still many fans of Siddhartha. Hermann Hesse received reviews about his creation during his lifetime. Discussed, this work remains to this day. Especially his finale.
The main character once again meets with a friend of his youth, Govinda, who many years ago passed under the wing of Buddha Gautama. At the end of his life, Siddhartha had already completed his journey, and Govinda was still looking for the goal and the main destination in his life. It is then that it becomes apparent which of the heroes made the right choice decades ago.
Siddhartha carefully transfers to the comrade all the knowledge gained, the true essence of the nature of things.
What makes this work unique is that the Buddha, who eventually becomes the main character himself, is shown not only from his enlightened side, but also from the human side. All this is demonstrated by Hermann Hesse. Siddhartha .epub is one of the most convenient formats for downloading a work.
On the big screen
The directors of the 20th century did not fail to transfer this unique story to the screen. Want to know why Hermann Hesse is an idol for many? Siddhartha .fb2 - may help. This is the format in which you can read the book. And you can prefer a movie to her. In 2003, the eponymous painting by Jorg Paloko came out in Argentina. However, the work of Conrad Rux remains the most famous film adaptation. The film was released in the USA in 1972. The main role in the film was played by Shashi Kapoor, the younger brother of the popular actor in the USSR, Raja Kapoor. Shashi, by the way, became the first Bollywood actor to start acting in British and American films.
The plot of the film largely repeats the events described in the book. At the same time, it is impossible not to notice the differences. It is worth mentioning, for example, that the picture positions itself as an erotic film. Many scenes are devoted to the relations of Siddhartha with the lecherous courtesan Kamala.
As a result, the beloved of the protagonist also dies from a snakebite, the son leaves his father, not wanting to live a hermit, and Govinda's old friend, meeting Siddhartha in old age, realizes that he alone knew real happiness, found his place in this life, achieved the desired goal .
Reviews about the novel
Many say that the novel is easy to find and read on the Internet. Hermann Hesse "Siddhartha" .pdf - this is perhaps the best choice for reading.
All fans of this novel note that the author managed to fit the most important questions and answers about this world in one work. Moreover, the book does not just make us think, but gives peace and tranquility, lulls it with its ideas and thoughts. The novel has a magical property, it does not teach, but makes you feel calm for the soul, feel a deep understanding of the world around us.
The most amazing thing is that such a book, permeated with the thoughts and philosophy of the East, was written by a German author. Many say that it is necessary to read this parable in an appropriate mood, try to understand what Siddhartha felt on his way to a true understanding of life.
Despite the fact that “Siddharthu”, like the famous “Alchemist” Paolo Coelho, many attribute to the same genre - parables, these are still works from different weight categories, each for its own age and perception. If “Alchemist” will be interesting and somewhat useful for teenagers, then “Siddhartha” is a book for a more mature reader, who, like the main character of the novel, did not find his true calling in life.
Hessian Creativity after Siddhartha
The next Hermann Hesse released, perhaps, his most famous novel - "Steppe Wolf". In this work, much attention is paid to the theme of art. The author talks about the decline of culture, in particular, musical art.
This is a mesmerizing piece with the subtitle "Harry Haller's Notes (Crazy Only)". Critics also attribute this novel to the parable genre. The main character is in a deep mental crisis. At this time, he came across a theory about the division of a person’s personality into two parts: a person of high moral and spiritual morality and an animal, in particular, a wolf. The hero understands that his personality is much more complex and multifaceted than he previously imagined.
Hermann Hesse is one of the outstanding German writers who have received worldwide recognition. In 1946, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.