1.

Why is Siddhartha popular with his father, mother, and friend Govinda? He was likable because he was a
the "perfect" son

2.

Who are the Samanas, and why does Siddhartha join their group? There are ascestics and he had learned
all he could with his current life and wanted to "the way"
How does Siddhartha convince his father to give him permission to leave home and join the Samanas? He
proves his commitment by standing in one position to show his father that he has the willpower and power
to do what he wants
Why do you think Siddhartha hypnotizes the old Samana? Is he just being arrogant? He is being very
arrogant by showing his friend that the teachings of the Samana is not the right path to " the way"
What kind of salvation is the Buddha offering his followers through his teaching? Removal from self
desire
Why does Siddhartha question the idea of salvation as part of the Buddhas lessons? Siddhartha calls
objection to the idea of desire due to the
What does Siddhartha realize gives him a profound feeling of awakening from long dreams? What
epithet does Hesse use for Siddhartha after this understanding? He declared Siddhartha the awakened one
that shows his knowledge he has gained from many places
Why does Siddhartha abandon the Brahman precept that the beauty of nature is an illusion? -What advice does Kamala give Siddhartha in his relationship with the merchant Kamaswami? Do not be
too modest, I want you two to be equal
How are Siddhartha, Kamala, and Gotama alike? They are all seeking their form of rightousness
The second goal of the Eight-Fold Path defined by Buddha is right resolve. What do you think is the
right resolve Siddhartha pursues in the chapter Amongst the People? To become a good man with
money and power to help others and befriend all
Why does Siddhartha envy ordinary people? Because he cannot love
How is Siddharthas attempt to show his contempt for riches also an example of irony? HE feels content
for wealth but then turns greedy and gambles it all away
Define om. How does the word om save Siddharthas life? The message from the river that basically
symbolizes the unity which awakens his clouded thoughts through greed
Speculate on the meaning of the river. What do you think it symbolizes for Siddhartha? Remember that he
crosses the river as a young man to experience a life of the senses, leaving behind a life of meditation. It
symbolizes unity because it is surmised as perfection
What has Siddhartha already learned from the river? Find an example of foreshadowing in Vasudevas
conversation with Siddhartha.
One of the major themes of this novel is that there is no such thing as time. Support the belief that
Siddhartha comes to understand that life is a complete entity, like the river, and not a series of events
broken up by time. The river keeps flowing which shows the cycle is going on
What does Siddhartha gain by Kamalas death? How does her death reinforce his belief that time does not
exist? What does Kamala observe about Siddhartha before she dies? Existence is suffering and gained his
son which shows his cycle of life. Time is repeating itself
What does Siddhartha experience for the first time after the arrival of his son? Love
How does the presence of Siddharthas son help make Siddhartha completely like ordinary people? Why
is his effort to keep his son with him not a worthless endeavor? Because he can experience love
What gift does Siddhartha give his childhood friend before Govinda continues on his way? Advice that
wisdom cannot be taught but learned adn a vision of the unity of life

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Chapter 1 (The Brahmin's son) - "The path of Orthodox Hinduism"

Chapter 2 (With the Samanas) - "The path to asceticism"
Chapter 3 (Gotama) - "The Guru"
Chapter 4 (The awakening) - "
Chapter 5 (Kamala) - "Quest of Sensual Pleasure"
Chapter 6 (Amongst the people) - "Quest of material gain"
Chapter 7 (Samsara) - "Sickness of death"
Chapter 8 (By the River) - "Futility of all Doctrines"
Chapter 9 (The Ferryman) - "
Chapter 10 (The Son) - "The Wound"
Chapter 11 (Om) - "The healing of the wound"
Chapter 12 (Govinda) - "The path of Buddhism"

4 Noble Truths
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Existence is suffering
Suffering arises from desires
Suffering ends when desire ends
The way to end desire is to follow the Eight-Fold Path

Eight-Fold Path
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Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right

belief
resolve
speech
conduct
occupation
effort
contemplation
ecstasy