Siddhartha (Magill Book Reviews)
At a glance:
- Author: Hermann Hesse
- First Published: 1922
- Type of Work: Novel
- Genres: Long fiction, Bildungsroman
- Subjects: Self-discovery, Perception, Traveling or travelers, Philosophy or philosophers, Nature, Religion, Spiritual life or spirituality, India or East Indian people, Rivers or waterways, Mysticism, Hindus or Hinduism, Enlightenment, Visions, epiphanies, or revelations, Pilgrims or pilgrimages, Sixth century, Buddha, Buddhism, Yoga, Happiness, Senses or sensation
- Locales: India
Siddhartha (literally “he who has achieved his aim”) is a handsome young Indian Brahman who is restless and unhappy with his comfortable village life, and so he decides to become a seeker. Along with his friend Govinda, he becomes a samana, or wandering ascetic. He quickly masters the self-discipline and meditations, but he becomes dissatisfied with the ascetic life, and comes to the village of Savathi to hear the illustrious Buddha preach. Siddhartha is much impressed with Buddha’s teachings but decides that he cannot be content as a disciple and must find his own “way.”
...[The entire page is 619 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
See Also
Related Topics
