The Struggles of Life: An Analysis of Herman Hesse's Steppenwolf
Kandace Thompson
Dr. Dillion
English 1A
14 October 2011
The Struggles of Life
Steppenwolf is a novel that is written about a man who has wolf characteristics and suffers from loneliness. His name is Harry Haller. “He went on two legs, wore clothes and was a human being, but nevertheless he was in reality a wolf of the Steppes” (40). Harry rents a place to live in a densely populated an area. Harry is a middle class person that appears to be out of place with the people in the community, as he lives paycheck to paycheck. After some time Harry becomes familiar with his surroundings, he approaches a man that is advertising for a Magic Theater. Harry tells the man that he wants to buy a ticket. Harry is surprised when the man gives Harry a ticket and then leaves. Harry takes a flyer from the man and walks off. “I read the contents at a sitting with an engrossing interest that deepened page by page, TREATISE ON THE STEPPENWOLF” (40). Harry walks around because he knows that if he goes home, suicidal thoughts will begin to engulf his mind. Harry walks until he sees a restaurant called the Black Eagle Restaurant. At this restaurant Harry spends most of his time, as he is attracted to a woman who frequents the restaurant named Hermine.
Hermine feels bad for Harry and does all that entire she can entire to keep Harry from committing suicide. She teaches Harry how to dance and gets him to meet her at the Magic Theater. Harry finds himself on a long journey of life that is constantly changing. Harry finally finds his feelings and emotions are on a roller coaster as he experiences love for first time. Hermine notices that Harry has never really lived, in the sense that he has lived his life isolated from society. She forces him to commit to things that are new and life changing. The Owner of the Magic Theater is named Pablo.
Pablo shows Harry all of the personalities that Harry has in a magic mirror; Harry does not
Dr. Dillion
English 1A
14 October 2011
The Struggles of Life
Steppenwolf is a novel that is written about a man who has wolf characteristics and suffers from loneliness. His name is Harry Haller. “He went on two legs, wore clothes and was a human being, but nevertheless he was in reality a wolf of the Steppes” (40). Harry rents a place to live in a densely populated an area. Harry is a middle class person that appears to be out of place with the people in the community, as he lives paycheck to paycheck. After some time Harry becomes familiar with his surroundings, he approaches a man that is advertising for a Magic Theater. Harry tells the man that he wants to buy a ticket. Harry is surprised when the man gives Harry a ticket and then leaves. Harry takes a flyer from the man and walks off. “I read the contents at a sitting with an engrossing interest that deepened page by page, TREATISE ON THE STEPPENWOLF” (40). Harry walks around because he knows that if he goes home, suicidal thoughts will begin to engulf his mind. Harry walks until he sees a restaurant called the Black Eagle Restaurant. At this restaurant Harry spends most of his time, as he is attracted to a woman who frequents the restaurant named Hermine.
Hermine feels bad for Harry and does all that entire she can entire to keep Harry from committing suicide. She teaches Harry how to dance and gets him to meet her at the Magic Theater. Harry finds himself on a long journey of life that is constantly changing. Harry finally finds his feelings and emotions are on a roller coaster as he experiences love for first time. Hermine notices that Harry has never really lived, in the sense that he has lived his life isolated from society. She forces him to commit to things that are new and life changing. The Owner of the Magic Theater is named Pablo.
Pablo shows Harry all of the personalities that Harry has in a magic mirror; Harry does not
Cited: Hesse, Hermann. Steppenwolf. New York: Picador, 2002. Print.