Symbolism In Siddhartha
In Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, the preference of experience over teaching is demonstrated through the usage of characterization and symbolism, persuading readers to not seek teachings, but rather to derive wisdom through personal experience.
Hesse uses characterization to reveal traits and wisdoms that the characters derive from teachings and experiences. If we are to be taught about somebody else’s experience, we may understand the general situation, but we will never understand the emotions behind them. When Govinda asks for and hears Siddhartha’s complex thoughts, he is perplexed by them; but Siddhartha’s articulate and eloquent manner of speech demonstrates that in his mind, he wholly understands his thoughts and ideas. Gotama has reached …show more content…
When Siddhartha contemplates suicide by jumping into the river, he feels the Om resonate in his body. Siddhartha teaches Govinda that “the potential Buddha already exists in the sinner; his future is already there” (116). The same holds true for the Om. Siddhartha’s experience of the Om ingrains into him that this future of attaining Om’s perfection is already there — that he already is Om. This crucial epiphany helps him realize that the experience of materialism, avarice, and lust is necessary “in order to learn to love the world, and no longer compare it with . . . some kind of desired imaginary world” (116), because the mere presence of materialism, avarice, and lust means that they are the world, the very same one that also possesses the qualities of love and jollity that are desired in an “imaginary world” (116). Concepts like this can be taught, but can never be understood unless thoroughly considered. Hence teaching is still important. It is from other’s teachings that you can derive personal wisdom, instead of treating them like doctrines, and stubbornly adhering to them. The river has shown not just Siddhartha, but the ordinary people who pass by quite extraordinary things, while the river has “has been nothing but a hindrance” (86) to thousands of people, there are those who stop to see what the river’s teachings have to offer, and often bring its
Hesse uses characterization to reveal traits and wisdoms that the characters derive from teachings and experiences. If we are to be taught about somebody else’s experience, we may understand the general situation, but we will never understand the emotions behind them. When Govinda asks for and hears Siddhartha’s complex thoughts, he is perplexed by them; but Siddhartha’s articulate and eloquent manner of speech demonstrates that in his mind, he wholly understands his thoughts and ideas. Gotama has reached …show more content…
When Siddhartha contemplates suicide by jumping into the river, he feels the Om resonate in his body. Siddhartha teaches Govinda that “the potential Buddha already exists in the sinner; his future is already there” (116). The same holds true for the Om. Siddhartha’s experience of the Om ingrains into him that this future of attaining Om’s perfection is already there — that he already is Om. This crucial epiphany helps him realize that the experience of materialism, avarice, and lust is necessary “in order to learn to love the world, and no longer compare it with . . . some kind of desired imaginary world” (116), because the mere presence of materialism, avarice, and lust means that they are the world, the very same one that also possesses the qualities of love and jollity that are desired in an “imaginary world” (116). Concepts like this can be taught, but can never be understood unless thoroughly considered. Hence teaching is still important. It is from other’s teachings that you can derive personal wisdom, instead of treating them like doctrines, and stubbornly adhering to them. The river has shown not just Siddhartha, but the ordinary people who pass by quite extraordinary things, while the river has “has been nothing but a hindrance” (86) to thousands of people, there are those who stop to see what the river’s teachings have to offer, and often bring its