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Siddhartha Hero's Journey

Decent Essays

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse is a classic novel and gives some insight to those seeking enlightenment or even just the spiritual understanding of a Buddhist. Siddhartha, the protagonist of this novel, is in search for enlightenment and does so with his friend, Govinda. Along his path to enlightenment, he learns many important lessons varying from guidance and distractions to love. All of these played a key role in his pursuit of enlightenment. The setting of Siddhartha mainly consists of forests and small towns in India around 625 B.C.. These show importance to Siddhartha's journey because he learns from his surroundings. A hero's journey generally goes along the lines of beginning a quest that’s filled with ups and downs, but eventually prevails. His journey is important because Siddhartha reaches enlightenment or Nirvana, which is what all who …show more content…

Vasudeva is the ferryman who was, in my opinion, the most helpful to Siddhartha in his journey to enlightenment. Vasudeva is the man who stays at the river, where Siddhartha leaves and comes back. He helps Siddhartha in his understandings of himself and the universe through the river. Govinda also helps Siddhartha on his journey to enlightenment. Although Siddhartha does have a secret distaste for his friend, they both agree to set out on a journey to search for enlightenment. They end up separating, but do eventually reconnecting after Siddhartha reaches Nirvana. He is then able to help Govinda reach enlightenment. When Siddhartha strays off his path, he meets a business man, Kamaswami, who teaches him about wealth and the city. Here he meets his wife, Kamala. Kamala shows him desire and physical love which pushes him further from his original plan of enlightenment. Yet, meeting Kamaswami and Kamala were important, because they showed Siddhartha the materialistic side of life and how even with everything, he still wasn’t

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