Om
What do I write for this section?
A one to two page piece of literary analysis, creative or purely analytical. You will use the skills you
have been practicing with incorporating quotes as well (3 total).
Remember, literary analysis examines:
 How the various literary elements of a work relate to each other (theme, characters, plot,
conflict, setting, symbols, etc).
 How two separate literary works deal with similar concepts or forms.
 How concepts and forms in literary works relate to larger aesthetic, political, social,
economic, or religious contexts.
Themes:
knowledge and wisdom
cycles of life
the journey to/search for enlightenment
inner vs. exterior guidance
Characters and Archetypes:
Gotama, Govinda, Kamala, Vasudeva
Mentor, Companion, Lover, Teacher, etc.
Plot:
Exposition – Siddhartha is an unhappy person.
Rising action – He leaves home and journeys all over the land finding various teachers.
Climax – He finally finds enlightenment.
Falling action – Govinda and Siddhartha meet again.
Resolution – Siddhartha helps Govinda find enlightenment.
Conflict:
man vs. self – finding enlightenment
Setting:
India, in the time of the Buddha
Symbols:
The river
The ferryman
Children and childishness
Om
Any of these options must fit the following requirements:
 1-2 pages
 3 properly integrated quotes
 Literary analysis through creative interpretation or analytical writing.
Creative ideas:
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Modernize the story into a short story, using your fiction to examine the themes and
characters of the story more carefully – as well as including major plot points.
Write and act out a short skit that further examines the themes and characters of the
story more carefully.
For each chapter, write a poem that examines the themes, plot, characters, etc. of that
section.
Write and illustrate a children’s story that tells the story of Siddhartha, making the
connections between the themes and plot clear.
Analytical ideas:
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How does the plot structure affect the deeper meaning in the novel?
o Hints: How many parts does the book have? Does the plot follow a straight line
or circles? How does these structures relate to the ideas of life cycles, rebirth,
samsara, etc.?
Discuss how Govinda acts as a foil for Siddhartha.
o Hints: A foil is a character who contrasts with another character (usually the
protagonist) in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character.
Thinking about Govinda, how are he and Siddhartha similar, and how are they
different? What are the narrative functions of Govinda’s reappearance
throughout the novel? How does their relationship impact the novel’s ending?
Kamala has a profound impact on the plot – how does Siddhartha’s love for her shape
the plots and themes of the story?
o Hints: What archetypal themes of the story is she involved in? How does her
being the mother of his son shape his journey for enlightenment? How does
Siddhartha’s spirituality, in turn, impact Kamala and their son?
One might argue that four characters of the story have achieved enlightenment – have
they all achieved the same “enlightenment,” and how did they each reach it?
o Hint: Govinda, Gotama, Vasudeva, and Siddhartha arguably are the 4 characters
that have become “enlightened.” What is enlightenment to each of them? What
paths did they take to get there?
You may also propose other ideas, but must get them approved before you begin.