Demian By Hermann Hesse Literary Devices

Demian begins through the narration of the main character, Emil Sinclair, concerning his youth as of 1904 or 1905. The entire novel depicts ten years' activity, which takes us up to his involvement as a German soldier in World War I, at which point Sinclair is twenty years old. It is important for the reader to keep in mind constantly that it is not the child Sinclair telling the story, but a mature adult reflecting back upon various stages of his development, trying to present an understandable analysis of what was occurring to him both internally and externally. Although it is obvious that the major key of the novel is individual and deals with the internal development of one character, the outcome presents a minor key which transcends the
The imagined theft of "apples" is what ultimately leads to his downfall and his exclusion from the "garden." Sinclair frequently refers to the domain of his parents by this term. Hence, very early in the narrative, Hesse employs a biblical allusion and sets a religious tenor for the novel. Both the symbolism and tone will remain quite religious throughout the remainder of the novel. This aspect of the book is one of the devices employed by Hesse to build tension; when contrasted with the Nietzschean philosophy expressed, seemingly irreconcilable paradoxes result. The addition of the psychological aspect to the religious and Nietzschean aspects further complicates the novel. Indeed, the psychological factor leads into areas considered taboo by much of society. These factors have caused at least one of Hesse's critics to avoid discussing Demian because he feels such discussion might cause too much controversy. This, however, is not the case if the novel is analyzed logically and carefully.

Further description of the villainous young Kromer reveals that he has a habit of spitting through a space between his two front teeth which gives him a somewhat serpent-like aspect. Kromer's threat of exposure forces Emil into a more serious, and this time an actual, crime. In order to pay
Yet he is also intuitively aware that the end of his former life will lead to the beginning of a new one. Sinclair also realizes that in the process of rebirth, he must also sever the cord binding him to his mother, an act which is much more difficult for him than leaving his father.

Because of his fear of meeting with Kromer, Sinclair frequently becomes conveniently ill and hides within the safe confines of his house.

When Sinclair does finally face Kromer, without the full payment required to buy his silence, Kromer continues his bullying tactics and, at times, even forces Emil to become his slave, performing menial tasks. From this point on, the terrifying shrillness of Kromer's whistle summons Sinclair to his evil master for further nameless tortures. When at home, Emil remains withdrawn from his parents and sisters, whom he cannot imagine guilty of any type of wrongdoing. It is emphasized that his alienation is strongest toward his father, to whom he is completely cold. By the conclusion of the first chapter, Emil Sinclair has been forced to leave the "garden" of his childhood innocence and to venture precariously into the realm of the dark