Siddhartha

Siddartha and Govinda leave village to join Samanas

Jan 1, 600

This event is important because it allows the reader to understand that Siddhartha overall goal in life is to attain Nirvana. We see that Siddhartha is willing to do anything to achieve this goal, such as leave his family and the place he grew up. The event also reveals that Siddhartha feels as if he can no longer learn from the scholars in the village and the Samanas might teach him more to achieve his goal. Finally, it shows the strong friendship between Siddhartha and Govinda because Govinda

Siddhartha and Govinda leave the Samana people to go meet Gotama

Jan 1, 602

The event is significant because it shows that once again Siddhartha feels as if he needs to learn more to reach his overall goal and the Samanas cannot teach him what he wants. We also can see from this chapter that Govinda is more interested in this man that is viewed as a Buddah than Siddhartha. Siddhartha is skeptical of Gotama because he believes no one can teach the way to Nirvana. In the end, Siddartha knows that Govinda wants to see this man and looks up to him so he goes.

Govinda becomes a follower of Gotama and Siddhartha decides to live the life he wants and not as a Samana would

Jan 14, 602

Once Govinda and Siddhartha reach the village of the Gotama they notice that thousands of Samanas are there to follow the teachings of Gotama and one day experience what he has. This is important because Govinda becomes one of the followers of Gotama and Siddhartha loses his closest friend. Also, Siddhartha has a conversation with Gotama and realizes that if he cannot learn from Gotama then he cannot learn from anyone. This then causes Siddhartha to come to the conclusion that he will make a new

Siddhartha meets Kamala and wants to learn love from her but can’t until he has good clothes, money, and presents for her.

Feb 1, 602

This is a major event because it’s the beginning of a new life for Siddhartha. He has no knowledge of love and when he finds Kamala he knows she is the one to teach him this topic. Kamala will not teach him her art unless he is a man who can represent himself well with fine clothes and shoes and can provide her with presents. This then leads to Siddhartha deciding that he is no longer a Samana but a man who will provide for himself. “He was suddenly overwhelmed with a feeling of pride. He was a

Siddartha gets a job with Kamaswami and succeeds because the skills he possess as a Samana

Jun 1, 602

At this time it is important to know that Siddhartha wants nothing to do with the world of money and business but is only involved because of his needs for Kamala. Even though Siddhartha is not interested in the business world he succeeds because of his experience as a Samana which is thinking, fasting, and waiting. This lifestyle that Siddhartha enters is very important because it makes him feel isolated for the people. This then causes him to want to experience thing like normal people such as

Begins to take in activities of normal people such as gambling, treating others rudely and being impatient

Jan 1, 643

Because Siddhartha is curious of the feelings of normal people he became involved in negative acts such as gambling, drinking wine, and sleeping with women. He became involved in these acts because he thinks they will give him the feeling of sorrow or love. “These people were always in love with themselves, with their children, with honor or money, with plans or hope. But these he did not learn from them, these childlike pleasures and follies; he only learned the unpleasant things from them whic

Leaves Kamala and his life and tries to commit suicide

Jan 1, 644

Siddhartha finally reaches his breaking point, where he was overwhelmed with a feeling of nausea. This breaking point was brought on by a dream that was about a songbird of Kamala’s. After a long period of time the bird stopped signing and became mute, then eventually died. After the death, Siddhartha threw it away in the middle of the road “and his heart ached as if he thrown away with this dead bird all that was good and of value to him (Hesse, 82)”this is important because after the dream Sid

Siddhartha wakes up from a long sleep with a feeling as if he was reborn. Govinda is there when Siddhartha wakes up. Siddhartha informs Govinda that he is joining a pilgrimage again.

Jan 5, 644

This sleep is important because it makes Siddhartha feel refreshed and as if he is new person with a purpose in life. The sleep also made him realize that he is starting from scratch as if he were a child again. “I have had to experience so much stupidity, so many vices, so much error, so much nausea, disillusionment and sorrow, just in order to become a child again and begin anew (Hesse, 97).” Govinda is also an important figure in this event because Siddhartha explains to him the idea that lux

Moves in with fairy man and begins to learn the ways of the river from him

Jun 1, 644

Siddhartha is reunited with the ferryman after living a life by the river. We learn that the ferryman’s name is Vasudeva and welcomes Siddhartha into his house as his assistant/student. Siddhartha reacquainting with Vasudeva is a key event because the ferryman teaches him secrets about the river that are essential to his goal of achieving nirvana. These secrets from the river is that time is nonexistent and that the river has a voice that speaks Om.

News about Gotama’s bad health condition sweeps across the village

Jan 1, 655

This event causes many pilgrims and followers of Gotama to come and see him and pay their respect. Early in the book we learn that Kamala wanted to meet Gotama from Siddhartha’s stories. Therefore when she hears about Gotama’s health she goes on the journey and brings her son along with her. This is important because on her way she is bitten by a poisonous snake and Vasudeva discovers her and takes her back to his home. This is where Siddhartha reunites with Kamala and learn that he has a son.

Begins to love his son and is upset when his son does not want to follow his ways and returns to the city

Jan 1, 656

Siddhartha becomes attach to his son. He wants him to follow his path in finding enlightenment, and tries to raise his son with his beliefs. This does not work out though because the son is not interested in this way of life. In the end his son runs back to his life of luxury. This event causes Siddhartha to experience suffering. Experiencing suffering and joy is key to reaching nirvana. Once Siddhartha reaches his goal Vasudeva leaves become his job is accomplished.

Govinda reaches enlightenment

Mar 2, 2022

Govinda hears about a man, who has reached enlightenment and is very wise. He goes to Siddhartha but once again he does not recognize him. Even though Govinda has followed Gotama he has not reached nirvana yet, so he asks Siddhartha for help. Siddhartha then shares the image of the flowing river with Govinda. This then causes Govinda to reach his goal and both childhood friends reaching enlightenment.