Siddhartha Lit Analysis answers
Chapter 1 – The Brahmin’s Son (1-9)
1. Why is Siddhartha unhappy? Why is his spirit like a “waiting vessel”?
His Brahmin teachers of Hinduism don’t question anything and haven’t achieved
enlightenment. He is a waiting vessel because he’s looking to be filled with knowledge of
how to achieve enlightenment.
2. Why is Govinda willing to follow him?
He is Sidd’s best friend and sees Sidd taking his first step into the world and wants to
follow him.
3. How are the Samanas described?
They are half-naked, begging for food, and living without the comforts of life. They
believe enlightenment can only be reached through asceticism- a rejection of body and
physical desires.
4. How did Siddhartha convince his father? Why didn’t he just go?
Sidd stands in the dark all night with his arms crossed. As a dutiful son, he needs his
father’s blessing. His dad asks Sidd to return to tell him the secret of enlightenment if he
finds it.
Chapter 2 – With the Samanas (10-19)
1. How does he act when he is with the Samanas?
Sidd dresses in rags and only takes the barest sustenance in order to survive.
2. What is his goal? What happens when he reaches that goal?
Sidd’s goal is to reach enlightenment, which only is achieved when the self is completely
destroyed. Sidd thinks when he is empty of everything his innermost will be awakened.
3. How does Siddhartha meditate?
He meditates on the syllable Om which represents perfection and unity while sitting up
straight.
4. What frustrates Siddhartha?
The eldest Samana is 60 and has not reached enlightenment.
5. Who is Gotama?
Gotama is the enlightened one, The Buddha, who has overcome the suffering of the
world.
6. What does Siddhartha do with the oldest Samana? What does that feat show?
Sidd hypnotizes him which shows he has learned all he can from him. He learns that the
path to achieve enlightenment can only come when the approach used takes into account
the world as well.
Chapter 3 – Gotama (20-29)
1. How is Gotama different from the Samanas?
Gotama teaches Buddhism’s eightfold Path, the Fourfold Way, and to embrace the unity
of all things in order to achieve freedom from suffering.
2. How do they recognize him?
Gotama radiates pure enlightenment and wears a gold robe.
3. Why does Govinda choose to join him? Why won’t Siddhartha join him?
Govinda agrees with Gotama’s teachings, so he stays. Sidd does not agree with the
teachings and thinks Govinda is a distraction to him, so he leaves.
4. According to Siddhartha, how will he find enlightenment?
Sidd decides he must find enlightenment on his own, and he cannot rely on an individual
religion or teacher in his search.
5. What has the Buddha robbed from him? What has he given him?
The Buddha robbed Govinda from him. The Buddha has given Sidd the knowledge that
enlightenment is achieved from within.
Chapter 4 – Awakening (30-34)
1. What does Siddhartha decide to study? How is that the one field he has been ignorant in?
Sidd decides to study himself and learn from himself, so he can understand himself. He
thinks this is the one area he doesn’t know.
2. Why does he feel an “icy chill”? He compares himself to a star. How is that so?
He realizes he is all alone like a star.
3. How is he different now?
Sidd is on a new path by himself.
Summary of Part One:
Siddhartha’s life parallels the historical Buddha’s history as his life was formed around
three events: the departure from his father’s house, the wasted and frustrating years
between pursuit of worldly possessions and extreme asceticism, and finally, the
determination of the Middle path as the only road to enlightenment. The middle path is
experiencing and understanding Truth and Reality which requires courage, patience,
flexibility, and intelligence.
Part Two:
Chapter 5 – Kamala (37-50)
1. How has his point of view changed?
Sidd now seeks meaning in the world through the senses. He is allowing the world to
influence him, which he hasn’t done before.
2. Complete the quote: “To obey no other eternal command __. Nothing else was necessary.”
What does this quote mean?
This means to listen to one’s voice and Sidd will now rely in himself. Sidd has learned that
the knowledge he is seeking comes from within.
3. What dream does Siddhartha see? Will this woman lead him to enlightenment?
Sidd sees Govinda turning into a woman which shows he is moving from his previous
aesthetic life to a new life of desire. He learns to differentiate between listening to one’s
inner voice and giving in to impulse. The woman will help lead him to enlightenment as
he is listening within to his own desires.
4. What does Siddhartha think of the Ferryman and of the river?
Sidd finds comfort in the Ferryman’s words and thinks of the river as a transition to a
new world. They are kind and beautiful.
5. Why doesn’t Siddhartha “ascend the tree” with the woman?
Sidd’s inner voice tells him to resist the temptation.
6. Hesse uses a simile to describe the woman’s (Kamala’s) mouth. What is it? What does that say
about the woman?
He compares her mouth to a fresh cut fig which implies how tempting and inviting she is.
She is beautiful and exudes sexuality.
7. How does Siddhartha prepare for Kamala? What does he want from her?
Sidd prepares by bathing, shaving, and getting a haircut.
He wants Kamala to teach him the art of love.
8. Why might the portrayal of Kamala be politically incorrect?
She represents women as purely sexual and a symbol of desire. A woman represented by
sexuality would be politically incorrect.
9. Who is Kamaswami?
He is a wealthy businessman who will teach Sidd the business world.
10. Siddhartha compares himself to a stone. How is this so?
Like a stone falling to the bottom of water, Sidd is drawn toward his goal and cannot be
distracted or swayed from his path.