Work alone.
Guided reading questions for Siddhartha, Chapters 1-3.
Answer on a separate paper.
As you read, think about Siddhartha as an epic hero. Does he embody the highest ideals of his
time and place? Is he on a quest? How does he begin his journey—willingly or unwillingly? Is
he descended from or protected by gods? Does he perform superhuman feats? Does he save or
found a city?
Chapter One: The Brahmin’s Son
Brahmin: the highest caste in Indian society
Brahma: the ultimate reality behind all things in the universe. Some believe that other Hindu
gods are part of, or manifestations of Brahma, the one god. According to your text (556), Brahma
is the same as the Atman, or soul, within each person.
1. Dig out your handout from the first week of school that lists components of the hero’s
journey. What is the first step in the journey?
2. p. 4: Describe, briefly, the conflict between Siddhartha and his parents.
3. What aspect(s) of Atman does Siddartha question?
4. How does Siddhartha define the Self?
5. At the bottom page 7, Siddhartha reflects that one must find the source of Atman within one’s
own Self. Everything else was _________________.
6. Everybody loves Siddhartha; whom does Siddhartha love?
7. On page 5, Govinda is described as Siddhartha’s ________________.
8. List two examples of garden imagery in the description of Siddhartha’s home. How might
this be symbolically significant? Think hard about what gardens traditionally represent and
what this might have to do with Siddhartha’s journey. Look out, as you read further, for the
snake. Literary gardens almost always have snakes.
Chapter 2: With the Samanas
Background info: The Buddha, born Siddhartha Gautama and not to be confused with the
protagonist of the novel you are reading, taught that all human suffering is caused by desire. The
way to escape suffering is to lose one’s desires. The way to lose desires is to follow the Eightfold
Path. This involves cultivating clear thinking and ethical living.* Observing practices outlined in
the Eightfold path leads eventually to enlightenment, understanding the truth of all things, and
Nirvana—escape from the cycle of death and rebirth.
9. Paraphrase Siddhartha’s reaction to the everyday world (top of 14).
10. What is Siddhartha’s goal? (14)
Work alone.
11. How does he plan to accomplish this goal?
12. What does Sidd. learn among the Samanas? Answer in your own words in three to four
complete sentences.
13. Why does Siddhartha compare meditation and the other Samana tricks to drinking alcohol?
14. What does Siddhartha see as the distinction between learning and knowledge? (19)
15. How does Govinda feel about this?
16. What is Sidd’s opinion of learning? (22)
17. In what way has the Buddha served Sidd. and Govinda already? (23)
Chapter 3: Gotama
18. What is Siddhartha’s opinion of Gotama? Consider all of the relevant info. on p. 28.
19. What does Gotama teach about the nature of life and the world? (29)
20. What happens to Siddhartha at the bottom of p. 29?
21. How does Siddhartha react to Govinda’s decision to follow Gotoma?
22. Note that Govinda takes an oath to the Buddha. He belongs to him now. Given what you
know about Govinda at this point, what is your opinion of all this renouncing?
23. What aspect of the Buddha’s teachings does Siddhartha admire?
24. Paraphrase Gotama’s advice about opinions.
25. What, according to Gotama, is the goal of his teaching?
26. What is NOT the goal of his teaching?
27. On p. 35, Gotama warns Siddartha against too much _________________.
28. Govinda is now Gotama’s ___________.