Breaking Down the
Chapters: A Model
Feraco-Eberle
SFHP
17 October 2008
A Note Before Starting
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I have not broken everything down for this chapter; in
fact, some of the most significant information is missing
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You can find that information in your other notes, your
reflections, and the PowerPoint I already posted
I have tried to give you a good model that will make it
easier to get more out of your “re-reading” of these
chapters
If you want to do this sort of chapter analysis (which I do
not require, but highly recommend for every “chapter
book” we’ll ever read) but don’t have the time to look at
the whole book again, why not divide the work?
You’re already in contact with the other members of the
group via e-mail, and there are only eleven chapters left
to analyze (including “Awakening,” which is both
important and incredibly short). Perhaps each of you can
finish two chapters & e-mail everyone? Just a thought…
The Brahmin’s Son
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From the very beginning, Hesse emphasizes that
Siddhartha has reached the peak of his life in town
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Everyone in the town already respects and believes in
him
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“Already” is repeated three times in the first paragraph alone!
There’s “happiness in his father’s heart” and “pride in his
mother’s breast”
The Brahmins’ daughters love him (for his appearance), but
Govinda loves him more than anyone else (for his potential –
he’s sure Siddhartha will become a wonderful person)
His “king-like eyes” mark him for greatness, and yet…
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“…beloved by all, a joy to all, there was yet no joy in his own
heart…[he] had begun to feel the seeds of discontent…”
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The Brahmin’s Son
Siddhartha begins to question everything he’s
accepted for years
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If the Brahmins are wise, where are the ones who have
achieved nirvana?
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This is the first realization that teachers may not be as useful
as he had believed
Should we offer sacrifices to our gods?
Where is the self?
“Nobody showed the way, nobody knew it…”
The “heavenly world [seems] near,” but
Siddhartha has never met someone who has
“reached” it
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The Brahmin’s Son
“Om is the bow, the arrow is the soul/Brahman is the
arrow’s goal/At which one aims unflinchingly.”
Govinda calls to Siddhartha after Siddhartha recites this,
but his friend does not respond to his calls
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Siddhartha hears word of the Samanas, and they’re
initially described as “wanderers”
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The first of many times that Siddhartha refuses to follow
Govinda
This comes right after Siddhartha’s quote about aiming for a
goal; might the “wanderers” be a poor fit for his quest?
Is there a difference between a searcher and a wanderer?
He unilaterally decides to leave – and Govinda finally
realizes that “Siddhartha was going his own way; his
destiny was beginning to unfold itself, and with his
destiny, [Govinda’s] own.”
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The Brahmin’s Son
Govinda’s first concern: “Will your father permit
it?”
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Siddhartha’s first words to the Brahmin: “With your
permission, father…”
Siddhartha’s reaction to his father’s disapproval is
simply to wait
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He’s not just standing still because he’s an arrow
focused on his goal
This is the denial of anicca – everything is supposed to
be allowed to change, and the Brahmin is interrupting
the natural order of things
Also, what are Siddhartha’s gifts? “Thinking, waiting,
fasting.”
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The Brahmin’s Son
Siddhartha agrees with his father, who says he
will grow tired (as well as die)
However, he disagrees when his father claims he
will fall asleep
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Interesting!
Throughout the book, the rest of Siddhartha’s
“rebirths” are signified by periods of sleeping and
awakening
What’s different here?
“…there was no trembling in Siddhartha’s face;
his eyes looked far away. Then the father realized
that Siddhartha could no longer remain with him
at home – that he had already left him.”
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The Brahmin’s Son
“You will go into the forest and become a
Samana. If you find bliss in the forest, come back
and teach it to me. If you find disillusionment,
come back, and we shall again offers sacrifices to
the gods together.”
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The father immediately falls back into his routine
Siddhartha, of course, does neither
“You have come.” “I have come.”
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Just like the meeting at the end!
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The Brahmin’s Son
Why does Siddhartha leave? Well, because he has
to – he can’t stay there and stagnate, no matter
how badly his father may want him to stay
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Just look at the questions that torment him
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Is there any way he could answer them while staying there?
Govinda accompanies him, and Siddhartha isn’t
surprised – there’s no questioning in the words of
either man
Symbols: Gaze (the Brahmin/Siddhartha
encounter was explained in class, while it’s also
worth noting Siddhartha’s “kingly eyes”)
Characters: Siddhartha, Govinda, and the Brahmin
Shell: 1
That’s How You Analyze a Chapter!
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It really, really helps to break each chapter down
this way
Start by looking for quotes that either answer the
study guide questions pertaining to the chapter or
foreshadow something important
Check over your symbol, character, and concept
lists to see if any of them relate to the chapter
If you’re ever confused…you know where to find
me!