Siddhartha Study Guide
Directions:
Answer the following questions using complete sentences. This needs to be done
neatly and the questions need to be answered fully. This may be checked off for points.
This will act as your review for the test.
The Brahmin’s Son
1)
Give three important characteristics about Sid (Siddhartha) in this chapter.
a.
b.
c.
2)
What is Atman?
3)
What is Sid’s view of the average Brahmin?
4)
Explain why (at least three reasons) Sid wants to leave.
5)
Describe and give three characteristics of Govinda.
6)
What does Sid fear if he stays at home and continues in his father’s religion?
7)
What does Sid conclude about finding peace?
8)
How does Sid’s father show patience and wisdom in dealing with his son?
9)
What is his father’s one request?
With the Samanas
1)
What changes in lifestyle does Sid and Govinda undergo?
2)
According to the Samanas, how does one achieve peace and Nirvana?
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3)
List four distinct things Sid learned from the samanas.
a.
b.
c.
d.
4)
What was the attitude of the samanas (especially the eldest) regarding the Buddha and other people’s
beliefs?
5)
How did the eldest react to Sid’s leaving? Explain what Sid did in order to get his permission.
6)
According to this chapter, what is the difference between “knowledge” and “learning?”
Gotama
1)
Why must the monks beg for food?
2)
What is the Buddha’s full name?
3)
Describe the unique qualities of the Buddha. Try to find three.
a.
b.
c.
4)
Why does Govinda decide to go with the Buddha’s followers?
5)
What is the major flaw that Sid sees in the Buddha’s wisdom?
6)
Explain what the Buddha has taken away from Siddhartha and what he has given Siddhartha
Taken away:
Given:
7)
Describe how Sid feels at the end of the chapter.
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Awakening
1)
Describe how Siddhartha feels awakened at the beginning of the chapter. Give at least two realizations
he has here.
1.
2.
2)
Describe how Sid now sees the world for the first time.
3)
In this chapter, where does an individual find the meaning of reality?
Kamala
1)
Describe Siddhartha’s dream about Govinda.
What could be the symbolic meaning of this dream? This is your interpretation.
2)
Describe the situation in which Siddhartha declines the offer of a woman.
3)
Why does he decline the offer?
4)
What does Siddhartha have/own when he reaches the town in which he sees Kamala? Note: What he
has can be an ability or characteristic.
5)
How does Siddhartha earn a kiss from Kamala?
6)
How did Sid convince the merchant, Kamaswami, to accept him as an apprentice?
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7)
What did/will Sid learn from Kamaswami and Kamala?
Kamaswami:
Kamala:
Among the People
1)
List the differences between Kamaswami’s values and Siddhartha’s values. Include here how the
choose to conduct their business and why.
Kamaswami’s Values:
Siddhartha’s Values:
2)
What three things can Sid do that get him his apprenticeship?
1.
2.
3.
2)
How are Sid and Kamala the same?
Samsara
1)
Why do you think this chapter was called “Samsara?” Be sure to answer discussing both sides of the
question (the word “samsara” and what happens in the chapter).
2)
Describe the dream Sid has about Kamala’s songbird.
3)
Explain the symbolism of this dream (in #2) and tell what it means.
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4)
How do Kamala and Sid part ways? What did Kamala have that was also Sid’s?
By the River
1)
Describe how Sid feels when he arrives at the river. Give examples.
2)
Why does he almost kill himself and what saves him from going through with it?
3)
Surprisingly, who was there when he awoke? Why was he there?
4)
What did the two of them talk about?
5)
What did Govinda think about Sid when he departed?
The Ferryman
1)
What is the ferryman’s name?
2)
Give three characteristics of him.
a.
b.
c.
3)
What does the ferryman tell Sid about the river?
4)
What do Sid and Vasudeva NOT do very often?
5)
What happens to Kamala and why?
The Son
1)
Describe the son and how he behaves. Give some examples of what he does.
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2)
Why is he like this? Give two reasons.
a.
b.
3)
How does Sid intend to win his son over?
4)
What does the son do that is so horrible?
Om
1)
What was the greatest thing gained by Siddhartha in having his relationship with his son?
2)
What did the river teach him in this chapter?
3)
What happens to Vesaduva?
Govinda
1)
Why does Govinda seek out the old man by the river?
2)
List three important lessons Sid gives to Govinda regarding what he has learned.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
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