Siddhartha
Herman Hesse
An introductory lesson by J. Lane at the Middlesex County Academy
Plot Synopsis
Siddhartha, a young man, leaves his family for a
contemplative life. After becoming restless, he discards it
for one of the flesh. Later he becomes bored and
sickened by lust and greed and decides to move on
again. Near despair, Siddhartha comes to a river where
he hears a unique sound. This sound signals the true
beginning of life - the beginning of suffering, rejection,
peace and finally wisdom.
Herman Hesse
Read about the life of author Herman Hesse:
http://www.nobel.se/literature/laureates/1946/he
sse-autobio.html
http://www.online-literature.com/hesse/
http://www.gss.ucsb.edu/projects/hesse/life/chr
on.html
List 10 facts about Herman Hesse’s life.
What inspired him to write Siddhartha?
The Real Siddhartha
Read about the life of the real Siddhartha:
http://www.ship.edu/%7Ecgboeree/siddhartha.ht
ml
What 10 aspects of Siddhartha’s life
can be viewed as admirable?
History
Read the notes on the history of Siddhartha:
Go to:
http://www.fofweb.com/NuHistory/default.asp?ItemID=WE53&NewIt
emID=True
Search term = Siddhartha +Herman Hesse
What overall theme(s) regarding spirituality does Hesse present
in his novel regarding life and enlightenment?
How did Hesse come to this realization?
Siddhartha & Religion
While searching for self realization, Siddhartha will
encounter many teachings and will not conform or devote
to any one of the religions of his time. To better
understand the novel Siddhartha, review the following
slides for information on Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism
(which Siddhartha follows with the Samanas). These are
the teachings that assist Siddhartha in gaining his final
perspective on life.
Hinduism
Go to the following websites for information on Hinduism and the
caste system.
Go to:
http://www.fofweb.com/NuHistory/default.asp?ItemID=WE53&NewIte
mID=True
Search term: Hinduism, caste system
http://www.csuchico.edu/~cheinz/syllabi/asst001/spring98/india.htm
What are the basic teachings of the Hindu religion?
What is the caste system?
What are Brahmins?
Jainism
Search this site for information on Jainism:
Go to:
http://www.fofweb.com/NuHistory/default.asp?ItemID=WE5
3&NewItemID=True
Search term: Jainism
What are the basic teachings of Jainism?
Buddhism
Search these sites for information
on Buddhism:
http://www.pbs.org/edens/thailand
/buddhism.htm
Go to:
http://www.fofweb.com/NuHistory/
default.asp?ItemID=WE53&Ne
wItemID=True
Search term: Buddhism
What solution did Gotama Buddha
find to the question of suffering in the
world?
What do Buddhists mean by
"Enlightenment?“
How is enlightenment achieved?
What steps do individuals have to
take?
Quotes
These quotes will help you understand some of the basic themes
in Siddhartha:
“Knowledge can be communicated, but wisdom cannot. A man can
find it, he can live it, he can be filled and sustained by it, but he
cannot utter or teach it.”
- Herman Hesse
“The man of power is ruined by power, the man of money by
money, the submissive man by subservience, the pleasure seeker
by pleasure.”
- Herman Hesse
Writing
Throughout our journey, like Siddhartha, we have all been
confused or felt frustrated with our lives. Write about a time (3-5
paragraphs) when you sought guidance from something or
someone and found a positive answer to a question you had.
Describe the situation, why you sought the knowledge how your
new-found realization helped you.
Write in Times New Roman, 12 font, and double space your
essay.
Evaluation
Grade 1: You will be graded on your individual responses to the
questions (class work/homework grade).
Grade 2: Your essay must be original, well-written and respond
to all aspects of the question (quiz grade).
Conclusion
With this lesson, you have gained some insight into the novel
Siddhartha. Remember this information while you read and study
the novel. The specific teachings that influenced Siddhartha will
help you understand the novel’s deeper meanings.
Credits:
Google.com for images
Websites used to link information