Siddhartha Study Guide Answers

Discuss how Siddhartha views the world after his decision to leave Buddha.

After Siddhartha's decision to leave Buddha, he views the world in a new light as if everything was reborn.

Explain the steps in the reaction of his father to his decisions and Siddhartha's responses. What does this exchange reveal about parent and child relationships?

At first, Siddhartha's father does not want Siddhartha to go but then lets Siddhartha go. This exchange reveals that parents want what is best for the child even if it is not the best for themselves.

What changes take place in Siddhartha and Vasudeva at the end of the chapter?

At the end of the chapter, the changes that occur in Siddhartha and Vasudeva are that Siddhartha has understanding and Vasudeva leaves.

At the end of the novel Govinda has a vision. Describe what he sees. What do you think his vision means?

At the end of the novel, Govinda has a vision of all the lifetimes of the universe. I think his vision means that Siddhartha has reached enlightenment.

Examine the conversation between Buddha and Siddhartha. How are their beliefs similar and different?

Buddha and Siddhartha's beliefs are similar because they believe that you need to have a relationship with the Self but their beliefs differ because Siddhartha believes that there is a gap in Buddha's teachings.

Explain what Siddhartha has learned about his past. Examine the last three paragraphs of this chapter and try to imagine Siddhartha's feelings.

From his past, Siddhartha has learned the importance of spiritual life.

What wisdom does Siddhartha learn from the ferryman? What is symbolized by his river crossing?

From the ferryman, Siddhartha learns about the wonder of the river. By Siddhartha's river crossing, new beginnings are symbolized.

Describe the Buddha's appearance and character, his speech, his manner of instructing.

Gotama is a monk with a yellow robe, portrayed perfection, his voice was full of peace and perfection, and he instructed wonderfully.

Why do Govinda and Siddhartha part?

Govinda and Siddhartha part because Govinda wants to follow the Buddha while Siddhartha does not.

Why is Govinda called his Shadow?

Govinda is called Siddhartha's Shadow because Govinda follows Siddhartha around.

Discuss Govinda's hope and Siddhartha's skepticism regarding Gotama.

Govinda is hopeful that Gotama is what everyone says he is and Siddhartha is skeptical of how great Gotama truly is.

Why do you think Govinda is the title of this concluding chapter? Summarize the comparisons between Govinda and Siddhartha that are the focus of the chapter. Is Govinda a symbolic figure here?

I think that Govinda is the title of this chapter because Siddhartha started his journey with Govinda so it makes sense that he ends it with Govinda also. Siddhartha looked for his own answers while Govinda listened to other teachers. Yes, Govinda is a symbolic figure of youth here.

How would you define the term Self as Hesse uses it in this chapter? What is its significance in the journey?

I would define the term self as your inner soul. In Siddhartha's journey, it is significant because that is what Siddhartha truly searches for.

What do you think the "Om" means in this passage? Have you ever tried to do the "Om" exercise?

In this passage, I think that the "Om" means peace and life. No, I have never tried to do the "Om" exercise.

Why does Kamala attract him? Describe his method of courtship. What does he expect to learn from Kamala? What skills and knowledge do they share with each other?

Kamala attracts Siddhartha because of her beauty. The method of courtship is going to Kamala's backyard and spending time together. From Kamala, Siddhartha expects to learn more about her world. The skills and knowledge that they share with each other are their talents and what they have learned so far in their lives.

How does Kamala die? How does Siddhartha react to her death?

Kamala dies by snakebite. Siddhartha is sad but is happy to have his son.

Contrast Kamaswami and Siddhartha's views of business and of life in general.

Kamaswami worries about the profit and what he will gain out of the business and in general, life. Meanwhile, Siddhartha focuses on the connections that he makes with others in business and in life in general.

Identify Siddhartha and Govinda and discuss their friendship.

Siddhartha and Govinda are close friends with Siddhartha being the leader of their friendship. They both grew up in Brahmin families. Govinda is happy in his life right now while Siddhartha isn't.

Why do Siddhartha and Vasudeva listen to the river? What do they hear?

Siddhartha and Vasudeva listen to the river so that Siddhartha can receive healing for the loss of his son. Siddhartha and Vasudeva hear the Om.

How is Siddhartha changed by listening to the river?

Siddhartha changes by listening to the river because he realizes that there is enlightenment

What does Siddhartha conclude about finding peace? Why does he fear that he will not find it in prescribed religious teachings?

Siddhartha concludes that he has to get rid of distractions to find peace. Siddhartha fears that he will not find it in prescribed religious teachings because he does not receive joy or peace from these teachings.

How does Siddhartha divest himself of his past? What is his new goal?

Siddhartha divests himself of his past by getting rid of his material possessions and fasting. Siddhartha's new goal is to become empty.

Analyze Siddhartha's dream. What does the songbird in the golden cage symbolize?

Siddhartha dreams that the bird dies and gets thrown in the street. The songbird in the golden cage symbolizes Siddhartha.

Near the end of the chapter Siddhartha feels that he has "completely learned the art of listening." How would you describe this "art" that Siddhartha is practicing?

Siddhartha feels that he has "completely learned the art of listening", I would describe this "art" that Siddhartha practices as listening completely to his surroundings.

What does Siddhartha feel are the inadequacies of the Samanas' beliefs and practices?

Siddhartha feels that the inadequacies of the Samanas's beliefs and practices are that he is not learning anything to help him achieve enlightenment.

Why does Siddhartha follow his son when he runs away? What does he recall when he reaches the town?

Siddhartha follows his son when he runs away because he doesn't want his son to leave. When Siddhartha reaches the town, he recalls when he came to the town and when he was with Kamala.

What has Siddhartha discovered about illusion and truth? What is the value of the spiritual vs. physical world for Siddhartha?

Siddhartha has discovered that people search so hard for the truth yet it is really right in front of them. For Siddhartha, the spiritual world holds more value than the physical world.

The conversation between Siddhartha and Govinda is one of the most important sections of the novel. Compare what the two friends have learned. What are their philosophies of life?

Siddhartha has learned from his mistakes while Govinda has learned from the Buddha. Siddhartha's philosophy on life is that you have to learn yourself and Govinda's is that you can learn from a teacher.

Why is Siddhartha disillusioned with performing the ritual of ablution? What does he fear if he stays at home and continues with his father's religion?

Siddhartha is disillusioned with performing the ritual of ablution because it doesn't bring him joy. Siddhartha fears that if he stays at home and continues with his father's religion, he will not have joy.

Describe the quality of life that Siddhartha leads.

Siddhartha leads a nice life. Siddhartha comes from a good Brahmin family, he has good friends (especially Govinda), has a good religious experience and training.

Examine carefully Siddhartha's statement about what he has learned.

Siddhartha says that he knows nothing about himself.

Why does he wish to "lose the Self"?

Siddhartha wishes to "lose the Self" so he can achieve enlightenment.

Describe his decision with Kamala about the Buddha. What change begins to take place in Siddhartha? What are the first signs of this charge?

Siddhartha's decision with Kamala about the Buddha is that how good of a life the Buddha leads. In Siddhartha, the change of his lustful ways begins to take place. The first signs of this change is that he doesn't find joy in his actions.

Describe Siddhartha's dream.

Siddhartha's dream was that Govinda appeared to Siddhartha and when Siddhartha kissed Govinda, Govinda turned into a woman.

Discuss the comparison of Siddhartha's Samanas years and his Samsara (Kamala/Kamaswami) years that begins this chapter. What do you see as the value of each of these experience?

Siddhartha's life as a Samana serves as a disconnect between him and Kamala and Kamaswami. The value of Siddhartha's life as a Samana is that he learned how to life a spiritual life. The value of Siddhartha's Samsara years is that he learns how to build relationships with others.

What differences result from a lifestyle of seeking (Govinda) and a lifestyle of acceptance (Siddhartha)? Which do you think Hesse believes is preferable?

Siddhartha's lifestyle has led him to the truth over many years while Govinda thinks he found it but has not achieved spiritual enlightenment. I think that Hesse believes that Siddhartha's lifestyle is preferable.

What memory from his youth is evoked in him by the parallel situation of his loss of his son?

Siddhartha's memory from his youth that is evoked in him by the parallel situation of his loss of his son is when Siddhartha left home to become a Samana.

What is the "snake in his path"? What change does this discussion lead to?

The "snake in his path" is the fact that Siddhartha has no place to belong to. The change leads to Siddhartha's realization that he is alone.

What is the cause of his smile? How is he changed?

The cause of Siddhartha's smile is his new knowledge. The cause of Siddhartha's awakening is the knowledge he received after talking to the Buddha. Siddhartha has changed because he wants to know himself, instead of emptying himself.

Trace the changes in feeling as he goes through this process of thinking.

The changes in Siddhartha's thinking are that he knows he has no place, thinks of his family and friends, and then realizes that he is alone.

What is the connection between Siddhartha's loss of Govinda as his shadow and his discovery of himself?

The connection between Siddhartha's loss of Govinda as his shadow and his discovery of himself is that Siddhartha realizes that he needs to focus on himself alone.

Explain the connections between Siddhartha's learning and his decision to remain by the river. (Look at his explanation of the meaning of the river to his new friend Vasudeva.)

The connections between Siddhartha's learning and his decision to remain by the river are that the river saved him so he wants to learn by the river.

Discuss the description of Gotama/Buddha and his effect on his world.

The description of Gotama/Buddha and his effect on his world is that he has achieved enlightenment and helps others do the same.

Explain the events that make Siddhartha think about the Gautama Buddha again and about Kamala. Why do you suppose Hesse introduces the complications of Kamala's death and his discovery of his son just when it seems that Siddhartha has reached his goal in life?

The event that makes Siddhartha think about the Gautama Buddha again and about Kamala is when a snake bites Kamala. I think that Hesse introduces the complications of Kamala's death and the discovery of his son just when it seems that Siddhartha has reached his goal in life because life always throws a rock in your path when things get too good.

What ideas does Govinda present to counter his doubts?

The ideas that Govinda present to counter his doubts are that they are learning how to achieve enlightenment.

What lesson from his youth rescues him from this despair?

The images that Hesse uses to show that Siddhartha is overcome by sadness and guilt are that he wants to die and thinks of all the bad in his life. The "Om" which Siddhartha learned in his youth rescues him from this despair.

How is Siddhartha affected by the life of rich men? Do you think wealth inevitably brings the problems "of discontent, of sickliness, of displeasure, of idleness, of lovelessness"? Why does Siddhartha succumb to this life?

The life of rich men affects Siddhartha because Siddhartha loses himself. Yes, I do think that wealth inevitably brings the problems of "discontent, of sickliness, of displeasure, of idleness, of lovelessness" if misused. Siddhartha succumbs to this life because of Kamala and the temptation that he faces.

What is signified by the fact that Siddhartha goes into the forest and eventually becomes unconscious beside a river?

The significance of the fact that Siddhartha goes into the forest and eventually becomes unconscious beside a river is that he re-starts the path he took when entering the city.

Is the son a symbolic figure? Is Siddhartha a good father? How does he judge his ability as a parent? What is Vasudeva's advice to Siddhartha?

The son is a symbolic figure of the world trying to ruin Siddhartha's quest for enlightenment. Siddhartha is a good father. Siddhartha judges his ability as a parent by wanting to keep his son happy. Vasudeva's advice to Siddhartha is to let the son go home.

Any similarities between this conversation and the conversation between Siddhartha and his father?

This conversation is similar to the conversation between Siddhartha and his father because the Buddha tries to convince Siddhartha of his ways but then lets Siddhartha go.

What meaning develops through Siddhartha's relationship of pleasure with Kamala? In what sense is Siddhartha not an "ordinary person"?

Through Siddhartha's relationship of pleasure with Kamala, trust develops. In the sense that Siddhartha has a spiritual understanding Siddhartha is not an "ordinary person".

What changes does Siddhartha have to make to become a "man of the world"?

To become a "man of the world", the changes that Siddhartha has to make are physical appearance and lifestyle.

What does Hesse mean when he writes, "Siddhartha knew that the game was finished . . ."? What decision does Siddhartha make at the end of this chapter and why?

When Hesse writes, "Siddhartha knew that the game was finished...", he means that Siddhartha knows that he needs to get out of the lifestyle he has been living. At the end of this chapter, Siddhartha decides to leave the city. Siddhartha leaves Kamala because he feels that this lifestyle isn't good anymore. Kamala was not shocked by Siddhartha's decision because she knew it was coming.

What new skills does he learn with the Samanas?

With the Samanas, Siddhartha learns to deny himself and get away from the Self.

Does it seem coincidental that he is discovered by his old friend Govinda? This coincidental plot elements suggests that Govinda may actually be a symbolic figure. What might he represent? Is the meaning of the character here the same as his "shadow" role in the opening chapters?

Yes, it does seem coincidental that his old friend Govinda discovers Siddhartha. Govinda may represent God. The meaning of Govinda here is the same as his "shadow" role in the opening chapters.

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Chapter 10

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Chapter 11

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Chapter 12

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Chapter 2

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Chapter 3

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Chapter 4

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Chapter 5

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Chapter 6

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Chapter 7

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Chapter 8

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Chapter 9

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