D O N OW

With what religions are you familiar? What is
universally important in religion?
S IDDHARTHA
T HEMES

Self-discovery

Spiritual quest

Search for the Self

Conflict: Person vs. self
R ELIGIONS

Siddhartha touches on four religions.

Judaism

Christianity

Hinduism

Buddhism
H ERMANN H ESSE

Born on July 2, 1877 in Calw in the Black Forest
of Germany.

His literary works reveal the influence of German
romantic writers and the Hindu philosophy of
India.


His grandfather was a missionary in India and
Hesse wrote that his grandfather’s stories greatly
influenced him.
Awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1946.
C LASSWORK

Complete classwork worksheet.
H OMEWORK

Read Part 1 – The Brahmin’s Son and answer the
corresponding questions.
D O N OW

How is Siddhartha similar to many teenagers in
the chapter you read last night?
J UDAISM

Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Judaism, Reform
Judaism

Differences deal with different interpretations of
religious texts, which result in differences in
clothes, beliefs, and the role of women in the
faith.
J UDAISM

One of the oldest major religions

First religion to teach the belief in one God

The roots of both Christianity and Islam are
found in Judaism.

A person serves God by studying the scriptures
and practicing the teachings.

Each congregation chooses their own rabbi.
J UDAISM

Basic laws and teachings


The Torah

The first five books of the Bible

Contains the basic laws of Judaism and gives
history of Jews until Moses’s death in the 1200s
B.C.
Talmud

Collection of legal, ritual, and ethical writings,
including Jewish history and folklore
C HRISTIANITY

Based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ

Belief in one God who created and takes care of
the universe

Three major groups

Roman Catholic

Protestant

Eastern Orthodox
C HRISTIANITY

Basic laws and teachings

The Bible, comprised of both the Old and New
Testaments

Clergy has varying degrees and authority,
depending on the group.
H INDUISM

Major religion of India

Dates back to prehistoric times in India

One universal spirit called Brahman, the creator
of the universe


Vishnu, its preserver

Shiva, its destroyer
The soul never dies but is reborn through the
process of reincarnation, based on the law of
karma.
H INDUISM

Basic laws and teachings

No single book but based on many sacred
writings.

The Vedas

The Puranas

The Ramayana

The Mahabharata

The Manu Smriti
B UDDHISM

Based on the teaching of the Buddha, whose real
name was Siddhartha Gautama.

Founded in India in 500 B.C.

Existence is a continuing cycle of death and
rebirth, determined by one’s behavior in a
previous life.

People can break out of the cycle of death and
rebirth by eliminating attachment to all worldly
things, thus attaining Nirvana.
B UDDHISM

Basic laws and teachings

Tripitika

A compilation of traditions built around the
dharma (Buddha’s teachings)
PART 1 – T HE B RAHMIN ’ S
S ON

Identify Siddhartha and Govinda and discuss
their relationship.

Discuss Siddhartha’s problem. For what is he
searching? Why?

Discuss Siddhartha’s decision and its impact on
his father.
PART 1 – T HE B RAHMIN ’ S
S ON

Discuss the impact of Siddhartha’s decision on
Govinda.

Analyze the symbolism of his father’s realization
that Siddhartha “had already left him.”
C LASSWORK

Complete classwork worksheet.
H OMEWORK

Read Part 2 – With the Samanas and answer the
corresponding questions.
D O N OW

What do you think of what we’ve read so far? Do
you identify with Siddhartha at all? Or does the
plot seem foreign to you? Explain.
PART 2 – W ITH THE
S AMANAS

Examine the changes in Siddhartha following his
alliance with the Samanas. What is one goal, and
what does he do to attain the goal? Discuss
whether or not he is successful in his quest.

Analyze Siddhartha’s disillusionment with the
Samanas in the search of his Self.

Contrast Siddhartha’s and Govinda’s views of
their spiritual journey.
PART 2 – W ITH THE
S AMANAS

Discuss the description of Buddha and his effect
on his world.

Discuss Govinda’s hope and Siddhartha’s
skepticism.

Analyze what convinces Govinda that Siddhartha
has absorbed the Samanas’ teachings.
C LASSWORK

Complete classwork worksheet.
H OMEWORK

Read Part 3 – Gotama and answer the
corresponding questions.
D O N OW

How has Siddhartha’s experience with Gotama
affected him? What changes do you see in his
character?
PART 3 - G OTAMA

Discuss the various titles of Buddha and their
significance.

Discuss Govinda and Siddhartha’s impression of
Buddha. Note the use of “peace” and “peaceful.”
PART 3 - G OTAMA

Analyze Buddha’s message and the response of
Siddhartha and Govinda.

Examine the conversation between Siddhartha
and Buddha. What occurs? What has Siddhartha
learned? What advice does Buddha give?

Discuss Siddhartha’s resolve after his meeting
with Buddha. Do you think Siddhartha will attain
his goal? Is everyone in search of the Self?
C LASSWORK

Complete classwork worksheet.
H OMEWORK

Read Part 4 – Awakening and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now

What has Siddhartha learned on his journey so
far?
PART 4 - AWAKENING

Discuss Siddhartha’s self-reflection after he
leaves Buddha.

Analyze Siddhartha’s mental reflection “That was
the last shudder of his awakening, the last pains
of birth.”
C LASSWORK

Complete classwork worksheet.
H OMEWORK

Read Part 5 – Kamala and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now

Why do you think people rely on religion to find
fulfillment and peace? Explain.
PART 5 - K AMALA

Discuss how Siddhartha views the world after his
decision to leave Buddha.

Examine Siddhartha’s dream and its implication.

Analyze the symbolism of the river to Siddhartha
and the ferryman.

Discuss Siddhartha’s first two encounters with
women.
PART 5 - K AMALA

Discuss Siddhartha’s request of Kamala and the
result of their encounter. Note her advice and
his self-evaluation.

Analyze the analogy Siddhartha draws between
himself and a stone thrown into the water.
C LASSWORK

Complete classwork worksheet.
H OMEWORK

Read Part 6 – Amongst the People and answer
the corresponding questions.
D O N OW

Make a list of 10 things you know about
Siddhartha. Include physical characteristics, his
experiences, his family and friends, his beliefs,
and anything else you feel is important.
PART 6 – A MONGST THE
P EOPLE

Examine the verbal exchange between
Siddhartha and Kamaswami. What does this
show you about each of the men?

Analyze Siddhartha’s viewpoint, “Writing is good,
thinking is better. Cleverness is good, patience is
better” (53.) Correlate this with “If you cannot
think, you cannot write, and if you cannot write,
others will do your thinking for you.”
PART 6 – A MONGST THE
P EOPLE

Contrast Kamaswami’s and Siddhartha’s views of
business and life in general.

Analyze the “soft, gentle inner voice” Siddhartha
hears. How does your inner voice or conscience
guide you?

Analyze Kamala’s summation of Siddhartha, “You
are the best lover I have had… And yet, my dear,
you have remained a Samana” (59). Discuss how
they are alike.
C LASSWORK

Complete classwork worksheet.
H OMEWORK

Read Part 7 – Samsara and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now

How has Siddhartha’s experience with Kamala
affected him? What changes do you see in his
character?
PART 7 - S AMSARA

Discuss the changes in Siddhartha’s life. Do you
think the changes are positive or negative? Have
they brought him happiness?

Analyze the “soul sickness of the rich” (63).

Examine the vicious cycle of Siddhartha’s
compulsion and its effect on him.

Examine Siddhartha’s dream and its result.
Analyze the symbolism of the songbird.
C LASSWORK

Complete classwork worksheet.
H OMEWORK

Read Part 8 – By the River and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now

Siddhartha has realized the error of his previous
ways and realizes his decisions have left him
empty. What do you think has caused him to feel
this way?
PART 8 – B Y
THE
R IVER

Analyze Siddhartha’s “death wish” and analyze
the symbolism of “A chilly emptiness in the water
reflected the terrible emptiness in his soul” (71).

Contrast Siddhartha and Govinda when they
meet by the river.

Discuss the “wheel” of Siddhartha’s life.

Analyze Siddhartha’s transformation and his
analysis of the Self.
C LASSWORK

Complete classwork worksheet.
H OMEWORK

Read Part 9 – The Ferryman and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now

Why do people go on journeys to find
themselves as Siddhartha has done? What do
you think they’re searching for? Explain.
PART 9 – T HE F ERRYMAN

Analyze Siddhartha’s revelation about the river
and discuss its symbolism.

Examine the effect living with Vasudeva has on
Siddhartha and the effect of the two men on
those who meet them.

Discuss the pilgrimage to the dying Buddha and
its effect on Siddhartha’s life.
C LASSWORK

Complete classwork worksheet.
H OMEWORK

Read Part 10 – The Son and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now

What will become of Siddhartha and his son?
How will having his son in his life now affect his
search for the Self?
PART 10 – T HE S ON

Analyze the relationship between Siddhartha and
his son. Discuss the universality of parents
whose children reject their values.

Discuss Vasudeva’s advice to Siddhartha about
his son and why Siddhartha is unable to follow
this advice.

Discuss the boy’s running away and its aftermath.
C LASSWORK

Complete classwork worksheet.
H OMEWORK

Read Part 11 – Om and answer the
corresponding questions.
D O N OW

What ideals do many religions have in common?
What are fundamental, basic things that most
people value in leading worthwhile lives?
PART 11 - O M

Analyze the repetition of the word “blind.” What
are some types of “blindness” that everyone
experiences?

Discuss Siddhartha’s conclusion about wisdom.

Examine the effect of Siddhartha’s seeing his
reflection in the river.

Analyze the effect of Siddhartha’s “confession” to
Vasudeva and Vasudeva’s response.
C LASSWORK

Complete classwork worksheet.
H OMEWORK

Read Part 12 – Govinda and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now

Why does it take Siddhartha so long to
understand his life’s journey? Do you think he,
like most people, could only understand the
journey late in his life? Explain.
PART 12 - G OVINDA

Discuss Govinda’s state of mind when he returns
to the river and Siddhartha’s explanation of his
own search.

Summarize Siddhartha’s conclusions about life.

Analyze Govinda’s reception of Siddhartha’s
philosophy.
C LASSWORK

Complete classwork worksheet.
H OMEWORK

Study for test.