Herman Hesse's Siddhartha

Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse, tells the story of a young man’s journey to find enlightenment. The main theme of the novel is that knowledge can be taught but wisdom comes with experience. Siddhartha, the main character, journey begins in his village where he is loved and admired by all of the townspeople. Both smart and ambitious, Siddhartha sees that he makes everyone happy but himself, which leads him to become discontent with his life. He begins to feel he has learned the best of the knowledge that his father and other Brahmin teachers can offer. He felt empty as if somehow he needed more. No longer satisfied with living the life of a Brahmin’s son, he sets out to join the Samana’s, who live in the forest. The road to finding enlightenment
Although, Siddhartha has yet to meet the Buddha, he immediately recognizes him in a crowd of people and knows it is him without a doubt. He and his friend follow and watch him intensely. Siddhartha is amazed by the manner in which the Buddha carries himself. “He wore his gown and walked along exactly like the other monks, ...his peaceful downward-hanging hand and every finger of his hand spoke of completeness, sought nothing, imitated nothing, reflected a continuous quiet, an fading light, an invulnerable peace.” (27-28) Later that evening they heard the Buddha preach. After listening to his teachings, Govinda is moved by the Buddha’s words and joins him as one of his disciples. Though Siddhartha respects the Buddha’s teachings, he does not feel compelled to join him. Siddhartha questions if the teachings of Gotama would lead to the spiritual enlightenment he is trying to find. Siddhartha decides that true wisdom cannot be taught, and he cannot reach enlightenment through the teaching the teaching of others. He tells the Buddha that he cannot achieve his goal through anyone else’s experiences but his own. Leaving behind his best friend, Govinda, Siddhartha continues his spiritual journey as a new