Herman Hesse Siddhartha

German Writer German Writer Born July 2, 1877 Born July 2, 1877 His parents hoped he would follow the family tradition of theology His parents hoped he would follow the family tradition of theology In his own way, he did. In his own way, he did. His novels explore the duality of the spirit and nature as well as the individual’s spiritual search outside the restrictions of society. His novels explore the duality of the spirit and nature as well as the individual’s spiritual search outside the restrictions of society.

Hesse focuses on the protagonist’s journey into the inner self in many of his novels. Hesse focuses on the protagonist’s journey into the inner self in many of his novels. In several works, a spiritual guide assist the hero in his quest for self-knowledge. In several works, a spiritual guide assist the hero in his quest for self-knowledge. He was awarded the Noble Prize for Literature in 1946 for Siddhartha. He was awarded the Noble Prize for Literature in 1946 for Siddhartha.

After a trip to India in 1911, Hesse became interested in studying Eastern religion, which led to Siddhartha(1922), a fictional account of the life of Buddha, Siddhartha Guatama. After a trip to India in 1911, Hesse became interested in studying Eastern religion, which led to Siddhartha(1922), a fictional account of the life of Buddha, Siddhartha Guatama. The culture of ancient Hindu and ancient Chinese had a great influence on Hesse’s works. The culture of ancient Hindu and ancient Chinese had a great influence on Hesse’s works.

Hesse married three times throughout his life. Hesse married three times throughout his life. Maria Bernoulli (married 1904)- severe mental disabilities caused the couple to divorce in 1924 (they had three sons) Maria Bernoulli (married 1904)- severe mental disabilities caused the couple to divorce in 1924 (they had three sons) Ruth Wenger(1924)- marriage only lasted several months Ruth Wenger(1924)- marriage only lasted several months Ninon Doblin (1931)- stayed married until his death in 1962 Ninon Doblin (1931)- stayed married until his death in 1962

Hesse died peacefully in his sleep on August 9 th, 1962 from a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of eighty-five. Hesse died peacefully in his sleep on August 9 th, 1962 from a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of eighty-five.

Hesse’s Beliefs “In each individual the spirit is made flesh, in each one the whole of creation suffers, in each one a savior is crucified” “In each individual the spirit is made flesh, in each one the whole of creation suffers, in each one a savior is crucified” Siddhartha Siddhartha

Background on Novel Spiritual Journey of a young man in India Spiritual Journey of a young man in India 6 th century B.C. 6 th century B.C. Era of historical Buddha Era of historical Buddha “He who has attained his goals” “He who has attained his goals” True understanding is the sum of all life experience True understanding is the sum of all life experience Not merely spiritual, intellectual, carnal but totality of all Not merely spiritual, intellectual, carnal but totality of all

Key Terms Brahmin Brahmin The educated caste in Indian society The educated caste in Indian society Ascetic Ascetic One who lives a life free of worldly pleasures for spiritual growth One who lives a life free of worldly pleasures for spiritual growth Samsara Samsara The cycle of death and rebirth The cycle of death and rebirth Maya Maya The material world of illusion The material world of illusion Nirvana Nirvana Stage of supreme enlightenment for Buddhists Stage of supreme enlightenment for Buddhists Om (Aum) Om (Aum) A sacred syllable in the Hindu and Buddhist religions A sacred syllable in the Hindu and Buddhist religions