Herman HesseHerman Hesse

SiddharthaSiddhartha

Herman HesseHerman Hesse

German WriterGerman Writer Born July 2, 1877Born July 2, 1877 His parents hoped he would follow His parents hoped he would follow

the family tradition of theologythe family tradition of theology In his own way, he did.In his own way, he did. His novels explore the duality of the His novels explore the duality of the

spirit and nature as well as the spirit and nature as well as the individual’s spiritual search outside individual’s spiritual search outside the restrictions of society.the restrictions of society.

Hesse focuses on the protagonist’s Hesse focuses on the protagonist’s journey into the inner self in many of journey into the inner self in many of his novels.his novels.

In several works, a spiritual guide In several works, a spiritual guide assist the hero in his quest for self-assist the hero in his quest for self-knowledge.knowledge.

He was awarded the Noble Prize for He was awarded the Noble Prize for Literature in 1946 for Literature in 1946 for Siddhartha.Siddhartha.

After a trip to India in 1911, Hesse After a trip to India in 1911, Hesse became interested in studying became interested in studying Eastern religion, which led to Eastern religion, which led to Siddhartha(1922), a fictional account Siddhartha(1922), a fictional account of the life of Buddha, Siddhartha of the life of Buddha, Siddhartha Guatama.Guatama.

The culture of ancient Hindu and The culture of ancient Hindu and ancient Chinese had a great ancient Chinese had a great influence on Hesse’s works.influence on Hesse’s works.

Hesse married three times Hesse married three times throughout his life. throughout his life. Maria Bernoulli (married 1904)- severe Maria Bernoulli (married 1904)- severe

mental disabilities caused the couple to mental disabilities caused the couple to divorce in 1924 (they had three sons)divorce in 1924 (they had three sons)

Ruth Wenger(1924)- marriage only Ruth Wenger(1924)- marriage only lasted several monthslasted several months

Ninon Doblin (1931)- stayed married Ninon Doblin (1931)- stayed married until his death in 1962until his death in 1962

Hesse died peacefully in his sleep on Hesse died peacefully in his sleep on August 9August 9thth, 1962 from a cerebral , 1962 from a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of eighty-five.hemorrhage at the age of eighty-five.

Hesse’s BeliefsHesse’s Beliefs

““In each individual the spirit is made In each individual the spirit is made flesh, in each one the whole of flesh, in each one the whole of creation suffers, in each one a savior creation suffers, in each one a savior is crucified”is crucified”

SiddharthaSiddhartha

Background on NovelBackground on Novel

Spiritual Journey of a young man in Spiritual Journey of a young man in IndiaIndia 66thth century B.C. century B.C. Era of historical BuddhaEra of historical Buddha

““He who has attained his goals”He who has attained his goals” True understanding is the sum of all True understanding is the sum of all

life experiencelife experience Not merely spiritual, intellectual, carnal Not merely spiritual, intellectual, carnal

but totality of allbut totality of all

Key TermsKey Terms BrahminBrahmin

The educated caste in Indian societyThe educated caste in Indian society AsceticAscetic

One who lives a life free of worldly pleasures for spiritual One who lives a life free of worldly pleasures for spiritual growthgrowth

SamsaraSamsara The cycle of death and rebirthThe cycle of death and rebirth

MayaMaya The material world of illusionThe material world of illusion

NirvanaNirvana Stage of supreme enlightenment for BuddhistsStage of supreme enlightenment for Buddhists

Om (Aum)Om (Aum) A sacred syllable in the Hindu and Buddhist religionsA sacred syllable in the Hindu and Buddhist religions