Siddhartha Figurative Language
Siddhartha
In the book Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse, figurative language is used to create beautiful pictures, settings and feelings more real. Strong images, metaphors, and symbols help to make the books topic, Buddhism, more understandable. Imagery is used to make the setting and Siddhartha's words come alive. The author spends a good amount of time describing the settings in Siddhartha's journey, to convey that in Buddhism words are not just the teachings, but lessons of everyday life. Siddhartha says "words do not describe thoughts well. They always become a little different immediately after they are expressed, a little distorted, a little foolish" (145). "Wandering along the rosy paths of the fig garden, sitting in contemplation
in the bluish shade of the grove, washing his limbs in the daily bath of astonishment, offering sacrifices in the depths of the shady mango wood with complete grace of manner, beloved by all, a joy to all, there was yet no joy in his own heart" (5). The author uses the words to paint a picture that one should be happy to be loved by all, yet Siddhartha is not. "the flesh disappeared from his legs and cheeks, strange dreams were reflected in his enlarged eyes. The nails grew long on his thin fingers, and a dry bristly beard appeared on his chin. His glance became icy when he encountered women; his lip curled with contempt when he passed through a town of well-dressed people all was doomed to decay, the world tasted bitter. Life was pain." (13-14). This relates to Buddhism because one of the lessons that Siddhartha learned, was that life was suffering, and the image of his suffering is shown by his fasting and losing of weight. The author utilized metaphors to give the reader an idea of what Siddhartha is journeying to become. "wandering ascetics, they were three thin worn out men, neither old nor young, with dusty and bleeding shoulders , practically naked, scorched by the sun, solitary, strange and hostilelean jackals in the world of men" (9). Siddhartha notices that these men are strong jackals, and desires to be them. He asks his father if he can go and become an ascetic, to lean to fend for himself. Siddhartha uses other religions to help him with his own journey. As he is meditating he recites these metaphors "om is the bow, and the arrow is the soul, Brahman is the arrows goal at which one aims unflinchingly" (8). The author communicates through symbols, that in order for Siddhartha to be what he wants, he must find himself. He can be taught everything, but he has to experience it himself. "Brahman's had already passed on to him the bulk and best of their wisdom they had already poured the sum total of their knowledge into his waiting vessel; and the vessel was not full" (5). In this case, the waiting vessel is a symbol for Siddhartha, what it means is that he has to live his life, and not just be told what is going to happen; he has to experience it himself. In conclusion, through symbols, metaphors, and imagery, the other expresses his wisdom and the story of Siddhartha in a way that message is clear, and Buddhism is a little more clear.
In the book Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse, figurative language is used to create beautiful pictures, settings and feelings more real. Strong images, metaphors, and symbols help to make the books topic, Buddhism, more understandable. Imagery is used to make the setting and Siddhartha's words come alive. The author spends a good amount of time describing the settings in Siddhartha's journey, to convey that in Buddhism words are not just the teachings, but lessons of everyday life. Siddhartha says "words do not describe thoughts well. They always become a little different immediately after they are expressed, a little distorted, a little foolish" (145). "Wandering along the rosy paths of the fig garden, sitting in contemplation
in the bluish shade of the grove, washing his limbs in the daily bath of astonishment, offering sacrifices in the depths of the shady mango wood with complete grace of manner, beloved by all, a joy to all, there was yet no joy in his own heart" (5). The author uses the words to paint a picture that one should be happy to be loved by all, yet Siddhartha is not. "the flesh disappeared from his legs and cheeks, strange dreams were reflected in his enlarged eyes. The nails grew long on his thin fingers, and a dry bristly beard appeared on his chin. His glance became icy when he encountered women; his lip curled with contempt when he passed through a town of well-dressed people all was doomed to decay, the world tasted bitter. Life was pain." (13-14). This relates to Buddhism because one of the lessons that Siddhartha learned, was that life was suffering, and the image of his suffering is shown by his fasting and losing of weight. The author utilized metaphors to give the reader an idea of what Siddhartha is journeying to become. "wandering ascetics, they were three thin worn out men, neither old nor young, with dusty and bleeding shoulders , practically naked, scorched by the sun, solitary, strange and hostilelean jackals in the world of men" (9). Siddhartha notices that these men are strong jackals, and desires to be them. He asks his father if he can go and become an ascetic, to lean to fend for himself. Siddhartha uses other religions to help him with his own journey. As he is meditating he recites these metaphors "om is the bow, and the arrow is the soul, Brahman is the arrows goal at which one aims unflinchingly" (8). The author communicates through symbols, that in order for Siddhartha to be what he wants, he must find himself. He can be taught everything, but he has to experience it himself. "Brahman's had already passed on to him the bulk and best of their wisdom they had already poured the sum total of their knowledge into his waiting vessel; and the vessel was not full" (5). In this case, the waiting vessel is a symbol for Siddhartha, what it means is that he has to live his life, and not just be told what is going to happen; he has to experience it himself. In conclusion, through symbols, metaphors, and imagery, the other expresses his wisdom and the story of Siddhartha in a way that message is clear, and Buddhism is a little more clear.