Transcript Herman Hesse

Herman Hesse
Siddhartha
Herman Hesse
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German Writer
Born July 2, 1877
His parents hoped he would follow the
family tradition of theology
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.
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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.
He was awarded the Noble Prize for
Literature in 1946 for Siddhartha.
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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.
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Hesse married three times throughout his
life.
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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
Ninon Doblin (1931)- stayed married until his
death in 1962
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Hesse died peacefully in his sleep on
August 9th, 1962 from a cerebral
hemorrhage at the age of eighty-five.
Hesse’s Beliefs
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“In each individual the spirit is made flesh,
in each one the whole of creation suffers,
in each one a savior is crucified”
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Siddhartha
Background on Novel
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Spiritual Journey of a young man in India
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6th century B.C.
Era of historical Buddha
“He who has attained his goals”
True understanding is the sum of all life
experience
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Not merely spiritual, intellectual, carnal but
totality of all
Key Terms
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Brahmin
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Ascetic
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The material world of illusion
Nirvana
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The cycle of death and rebirth
Maya
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One who lives a life free of worldly pleasures for spiritual growth
Samsara
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The educated caste in Indian society
Stage of supreme enlightenment for Buddhists
Om (Aum)
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A sacred syllable in the Hindu and Buddhist religions