Questions 1
What is the genre of Siddhartha?
Fiction
What is the date of Siddhartha?
Approximately 500 BC (circa founding of Buddhism)
What is the theme of Siddhartha?
Self-discovery and knowledge; spiritual quest
What is the Point-of-view of Siddhartha?
Third-person omniscient
What is the conflict of Siddhartha?
Person vs. self (internal), person vs. society (external)
What is the setting of Siddhartha?
Ancient India
Siddhartha
Main character, a man looking to achieve spiritual enlightenment, Govinda's best friend, Kamala's lover
Govinda
Siddhartha's best friend, goes to follow the Buddha
Brahmins
The caste of priests, Siddhartha's father is a Brahmin
Samanas
A group of men who live in the woods, barely clothed and empty themselves to achieve enlightenment
Siddhartha Gotama
Siddhartha's son with Kamala who wants to live in the material world.
Kamala
iddhartha's lover who goes to follow the Buddha
Kamaswami
The stressed merchant that Siddhartha works for when he lives in the city
Vasudeva
The ferryman that Siddhartha works with and becomes close friends with
The action of the novel moves chronologically and follows Siddhartha on what?
His journey through all stages of life - from childhood to adulthood
What do Chapters 1-2 (The Brahmin's Son and With the Samanas) have to do with?
Spiritual Innocence
What do Chapters 3-4 (Gotama and Awakening) have to do with?
Spiritual Awakening
What part of Siddhartha's life do Chapters 1-4 correspond with?
Preparation for Life and First 20 years
What do Chapters 5-6 (Kamala and Amongst the People) have to do with?
Sensual Existence
What do Chapters 7-8 (Samsara and By the River) have to do with?
Material World
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.
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.
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.
Examine the conversation between Buddha and Siddhartha. How are their beliefs similar and different? Any similarities between this conversation and the conversation between Siddhartha and his father?
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. 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.