Breaking Down the Chapters: A Model Feraco-EberleSFHP 17 October 2008

A Note Before Starting I have not broken everything down for this chapter; in fact, some of the most significant information is missing I have not broken everything down for this chapter; in fact, some of the most significant information is missing You can find that information in your other notes, your reflections, and the PowerPoint I already posted You can find that information in your other notes, your reflections, and the PowerPoint I already posted I have tried to give you a good model that will make it easier to get more out of your “re-reading” of these chapters I have tried to give you a good model that will make it easier to get more out of your “re-reading” of these chapters If you want to do this sort of chapter analysis (which I do not require, but highly recommend for every “chapter book” we’ll ever read) but don’t have the time to look at the whole book again, why not divide the work? If you want to do this sort of chapter analysis (which I do not require, but highly recommend for every “chapter book” we’ll ever read) but don’t have the time to look at the whole book again, why not divide the work? You’re already in contact with the other members of the group via , and there are only eleven chapters left to analyze (including “Awakening,” which is both important and incredibly short). Perhaps each of you can finish two chapters & everyone? Just a thought… You’re already in contact with the other members of the group via , and there are only eleven chapters left to analyze (including “Awakening,” which is both important and incredibly short). Perhaps each of you can finish two chapters & everyone? Just a thought…

The Brahmin’s Son From the very beginning, Hesse emphasizes that Siddhartha has reached the peak of his life in town From the very beginning, Hesse emphasizes that Siddhartha has reached the peak of his life in town “Already” is repeated three times in the first paragraph alone! “Already” is repeated three times in the first paragraph alone! Everyone in the town already respects and believes in him Everyone in the town already respects and believes in him There’s “happiness in his father’s heart” and “pride in his mother’s breast” There’s “happiness in his father’s heart” and “pride in his mother’s breast” The Brahmins’ daughters love him (for his appearance), but Govinda loves him more than anyone else (for his potential – he’s sure Siddhartha will become a wonderful person) The Brahmins’ daughters love him (for his appearance), but Govinda loves him more than anyone else (for his potential – he’s sure Siddhartha will become a wonderful person) His “king-like eyes” mark him for greatness, and yet… His “king-like eyes” mark him for greatness, and yet… “…beloved by all, a joy to all, there was yet no joy in his own heart…[he] had begun to feel the seeds of discontent…” “…beloved by all, a joy to all, there was yet no joy in his own heart…[he] had begun to feel the seeds of discontent…”

The Brahmin’s Son Siddhartha begins to question everything he’s accepted for years Siddhartha begins to question everything he’s accepted for years If the Brahmins are wise, where are the ones who have achieved nirvana? If the Brahmins are wise, where are the ones who have achieved nirvana? This is the first realization that teachers may not be as useful as he had believed This is the first realization that teachers may not be as useful as he had believed Should we offer sacrifices to our gods? Should we offer sacrifices to our gods? Where is the self? Where is the self? “Nobody showed the way, nobody knew it…” “Nobody showed the way, nobody knew it…” The “heavenly world [seems] near,” but Siddhartha has never met someone who has “reached” it The “heavenly world [seems] near,” but Siddhartha has never met someone who has “reached” it

The Brahmin’s Son “Om is the bow, the arrow is the soul/Brahman is the arrow’s goal/At which one aims unflinchingly.” “Om is the bow, the arrow is the soul/Brahman is the arrow’s goal/At which one aims unflinchingly.” Govinda calls to Siddhartha after Siddhartha recites this, but his friend does not respond to his calls Govinda calls to Siddhartha after Siddhartha recites this, but his friend does not respond to his calls The first of many times that Siddhartha refuses to follow Govinda The first of many times that Siddhartha refuses to follow Govinda Siddhartha hears word of the Samanas, and they’re initially described as “wanderers” Siddhartha hears word of the Samanas, and they’re initially described as “wanderers” This comes right after Siddhartha’s quote about aiming for a goal; might the “wanderers” be a poor fit for his quest? This comes right after Siddhartha’s quote about aiming for a goal; might the “wanderers” be a poor fit for his quest? Is there a difference between a searcher and a wanderer? Is there a difference between a searcher and a wanderer? He unilaterally decides to leave – and Govinda finally realizes that “Siddhartha was going his own way; his destiny was beginning to unfold itself, and with his destiny, [Govinda’s] own.” He unilaterally decides to leave – and Govinda finally realizes that “Siddhartha was going his own way; his destiny was beginning to unfold itself, and with his destiny, [Govinda’s] own.”

The Brahmin’s Son Govinda’s first concern: “Will your father permit it?” Govinda’s first concern: “Will your father permit it?” Siddhartha’s first words to the Brahmin: “With your permission, father…” Siddhartha’s first words to the Brahmin: “With your permission, father…” Siddhartha’s reaction to his father’s disapproval is simply to wait Siddhartha’s reaction to his father’s disapproval is simply to wait He’s not just standing still because he’s an arrow focused on his goal He’s not just standing still because he’s an arrow focused on his goal This is the denial of anicca – everything is supposed to be allowed to change, and the Brahmin is interrupting the natural order of things This is the denial of anicca – everything is supposed to be allowed to change, and the Brahmin is interrupting the natural order of things Also, what are Siddhartha’s gifts? “Thinking, waiting, fasting.” Also, what are Siddhartha’s gifts? “Thinking, waiting, fasting.”

The Brahmin’s Son Siddhartha agrees with his father, who says he will grow tired (as well as die) Siddhartha agrees with his father, who says he will grow tired (as well as die) However, he disagrees when his father claims he will fall asleep However, he disagrees when his father claims he will fall asleep Interesting! Interesting! Throughout the book, the rest of Siddhartha’s “rebirths” are signified by periods of sleeping and awakening Throughout the book, the rest of Siddhartha’s “rebirths” are signified by periods of sleeping and awakening What’s different here? What’s different here? “…there was no trembling in Siddhartha’s face; his eyes looked far away. Then the father realized that Siddhartha could no longer remain with him at home – that he had already left him.” “…there was no trembling in Siddhartha’s face; his eyes looked far away. Then the father realized that Siddhartha could no longer remain with him at home – that he had already left him.”

The Brahmin’s Son “You will go into the forest and become a Samana. If you find bliss in the forest, come back and teach it to me. If you find disillusionment, come back, and we shall again offers sacrifices to the gods together.” “You will go into the forest and become a Samana. If you find bliss in the forest, come back and teach it to me. If you find disillusionment, come back, and we shall again offers sacrifices to the gods together.” The father immediately falls back into his routine The father immediately falls back into his routine Siddhartha, of course, does neither Siddhartha, of course, does neither “You have come.” “I have come.” “You have come.” “I have come.” Just like the meeting at the end! Just like the meeting at the end!

The Brahmin’s Son Why does Siddhartha leave? Well, because he has to – he can’t stay there and stagnate, no matter how badly his father may want him to stay Why does Siddhartha leave? Well, because he has to – he can’t stay there and stagnate, no matter how badly his father may want him to stay Just look at the questions that torment him Just look at the questions that torment him Is there any way he could answer them while staying there? Is there any way he could answer them while staying there? Govinda accompanies him, and Siddhartha isn’t surprised – there’s no questioning in the words of either man Govinda accompanies him, and Siddhartha isn’t surprised – there’s no questioning in the words of either man Symbols: Gaze (the Brahmin/Siddhartha encounter was explained in class, while it’s also worth noting Siddhartha’s “kingly eyes”) Symbols: Gaze (the Brahmin/Siddhartha encounter was explained in class, while it’s also worth noting Siddhartha’s “kingly eyes”) Characters: Siddhartha, Govinda, and the Brahmin Characters: Siddhartha, Govinda, and the Brahmin Shell: 1 Shell: 1

That’s How You Analyze a Chapter! It really, really helps to break each chapter down this way It really, really helps to break each chapter down this way Start by looking for quotes that either answer the study guide questions pertaining to the chapter or foreshadow something important Start by looking for quotes that either answer the study guide questions pertaining to the chapter or foreshadow something important Check over your symbol, character, and concept lists to see if any of them relate to the chapter Check over your symbol, character, and concept lists to see if any of them relate to the chapter If you’re ever confused…you know where to find me! If you’re ever confused…you know where to find me!