D O N OW With what religions are you familiar? What is universally important in religion?

DO NOW

With what religions are you familiar? What is universally important in religion?

Hermann Hesse

SIDDHARTHA

THEMES

Self-discovery

Spiritual quest

Search for the Self

Conflict: Person vs. self

RELIGIONS

Siddhartha touches on four religions.

Judaism

Christianity

Hinduism

Buddhism

HERMANN HESSE

Born on July 2, 1877 in Calw in the Black Forest of Germany.

His literary works reveal the influence of German romantic writers and the Hindu philosophy of India.

His grandfather was a missionary in India and Hesse wrote that his grandfather’s stories greatly influenced him.

Awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1946.

CLASSWORK

Complete classwork worksheet.

HOMEWORK

Read Part 1 – The Brahmin’s Son and answer the corresponding questions.

DO NOW

How is Siddhartha similar to many teenagers in the chapter you read last night?

JUDAISM

Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Judaism, Reform Judaism

Differences deal with different interpretations of religious texts, which result in differences in clothes, beliefs, and the role of women in the faith.

JUDAISM

One of the oldest major religions

First religion to teach the belief in one God

The roots of both Christianity and Islam are found in Judaism.

A person serves God by studying the scriptures and practicing the teachings.

Each congregation chooses their own rabbi.

JUDAISM

Basic laws and teachings

The Torah The first five books of the Bible

Contains the basic laws of Judaism and gives history of Jews until Moses’s death in the 1200s B.C.

Talmud Collection of legal, ritual, and ethical writings,

including Jewish history and folklore

CHRISTIANITY

Based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ

Belief in one God who created and takes care of the universe

Three major groups

Roman Catholic

Protestant

Eastern Orthodox

CHRISTIANITY


The Bible, comprised of both the Old and New Testaments

Clergy has varying degrees and authority, depending on the group.

HINDUISM

Major religion of India

Dates back to prehistoric times in India

One universal spirit called Brahman, the creator of the universe

Vishnu, its preserver

Shiva, its destroyer

The soul never dies but is reborn through the process of reincarnation, based on the law of karma.

HINDUISM


No single book but based on many sacred writings. The Vedas

The Puranas

The Ramayana

The Mahabharata

The Manu Smriti

BUDDHISM

Based on the teaching of the Buddha, whose real name was Siddhartha Gautama.

Founded in India in 500 B.C.

Existence is a continuing cycle of death and rebirth, determined by one’s behavior in a previous life.

People can break out of the cycle of death and rebirth by eliminating attachment to all worldly things, thus attaining Nirvana.

BUDDHISM


Tripitika A compilation of traditions built around the

dharma (Buddha’s teachings)

PART 1 – THE BRAHMIN’S SON

Identify Siddhartha and Govinda and discuss their relationship.

Discuss Siddhartha’s problem. For what is he searching? Why?

Discuss Siddhartha’s decision and its impact on his father.

PART 1 – THE BRAHMIN’S SON

Discuss the impact of Siddhartha’s decision on Govinda.

Analyze the symbolism of his father’s realization that Siddhartha “had already left him.”

CLASSWORK


HOMEWORK

Read Part 2 – With the Samanas and answer the corresponding questions.

DO NOW

What do you think of what we’ve read so far? Do you identify with Siddhartha at all? Or does the plot seem foreign to you? Explain.

PART 2 – WITH THE SAMANAS

Examine the changes in Siddhartha following his alliance with the Samanas. What is one goal, and what does he do to attain the goal? Discuss whether or not he is successful in his quest.

Analyze Siddhartha’s disillusionment with the Samanas in the search of his Self.

Contrast Siddhartha’s and Govinda’s views of their spiritual journey.

PART 2 – WITH THE SAMANAS

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

Discuss Govinda’s hope and Siddhartha’s skepticism.

Analyze what convinces Govinda that Siddhartha has absorbed the Samanas’ teachings.

CLASSWORK


HOMEWORK

Read Part 3 – Gotama and answer the corresponding questions.

DO NOW

How has Siddhartha’s experience with Gotama affected him? What changes do you see in his character?

PART 3 - GOTAMA

Discuss the various titles of Buddha and their significance.

Discuss Govinda and Siddhartha’s impression of Buddha. Note the use of “peace” and “peaceful.”

PART 3 - GOTAMA

Analyze Buddha’s message and the response of Siddhartha and Govinda.

Examine the conversation between Siddhartha and Buddha. What occurs? What has Siddhartha learned? What advice does Buddha give?

Discuss Siddhartha’s resolve after his meeting with Buddha. Do you think Siddhartha will attain his goal? Is everyone in search of the Self?

CLASSWORK


HOMEWORK

Read Part 4 – Awakening and answer the corresponding questions.

Do Now

What has Siddhartha learned on his journey so far?

PART 4 - AWAKENING

Discuss Siddhartha’s self-reflection after he leaves Buddha.

Analyze Siddhartha’s mental reflection “That was the last shudder of his awakening, the last pains of birth.”

CLASSWORK


HOMEWORK

Read Part 5 – Kamala and answer the corresponding questions.

Do Now

Why do you think people rely on religion to find fulfillment and peace? Explain.

PART 5 - KAMALA

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

Examine Siddhartha’s dream and its implication.

Analyze the symbolism of the river to Siddhartha and the ferryman.

Discuss Siddhartha’s first two encounters with women.

PART 5 - KAMALA

Discuss Siddhartha’s request of Kamala and the result of their encounter. Note her advice and his self-evaluation.

Analyze the analogy Siddhartha draws between himself and a stone thrown into the water.

CLASSWORK


HOMEWORK

Read Part 6 – Amongst the People and answer the corresponding questions.

DO NOW

Make a list of 10 things you know about Siddhartha. Include physical characteristics, his experiences, his family and friends, his beliefs, and anything else you feel is important.

PART 6 – AMONGST THE PEOPLE

Examine the verbal exchange between Siddhartha and Kamaswami. What does this show you about each of the men?

Analyze Siddhartha’s viewpoint, “Writing is good, thinking is better. Cleverness is good, patience is better” (53.) Correlate this with “If you cannot think, you cannot write, and if you cannot write, others will do your thinking for you.”

PART 6 – AMONGST THE PEOPLE

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

Analyze the “soft, gentle inner voice” Siddhartha hears. How does your inner voice or conscience guide you?

Analyze Kamala’s summation of Siddhartha, “You are the best lover I have had… And yet, my dear, you have remained a Samana” (59). Discuss how they are alike.

CLASSWORK


HOMEWORK

Read Part 7 – Samsara and answer the corresponding questions.

Do Now

How has Siddhartha’s experience with Kamala affected him? What changes do you see in his character?

PART 7 - SAMSARA

Discuss the changes in Siddhartha’s life. Do you think the changes are positive or negative? Have they brought him happiness?

Analyze the “soul sickness of the rich” (63).

Examine the vicious cycle of Siddhartha’s compulsion and its effect on him.

Examine Siddhartha’s dream and its result. Analyze the symbolism of the songbird.

CLASSWORK


HOMEWORK

Read Part 8 – By the River and answer the corresponding questions.

Do Now

Siddhartha has realized the error of his previous ways and realizes his decisions have left him empty. What do you think has caused him to feel this way?

PART 8 – BY THE RIVER

Analyze Siddhartha’s “death wish” and analyze the symbolism of “A chilly emptiness in the water reflected the terrible emptiness in his soul” (71).

Contrast Siddhartha and Govinda when they meet by the river.

Discuss the “wheel” of Siddhartha’s life.

Analyze Siddhartha’s transformation and his analysis of the Self.

CLASSWORK


HOMEWORK

Read Part 9 – The Ferryman and answer the corresponding questions.

Do Now

Why do people go on journeys to find themselves as Siddhartha has done? What do you think they’re searching for? Explain.

PART 9 – THE FERRYMAN

Analyze Siddhartha’s revelation about the river and discuss its symbolism.

Examine the effect living with Vasudeva has on Siddhartha and the effect of the two men on those who meet them.

Discuss the pilgrimage to the dying Buddha and its effect on Siddhartha’s life.

CLASSWORK


HOMEWORK

Read Part 10 – The Son and answer the corresponding questions.

Do Now

What will become of Siddhartha and his son? How will having his son in his life now affect his search for the Self?

PART 10 – THE SON

Analyze the relationship between Siddhartha and his son. Discuss the universality of parents whose children reject their values.

Discuss Vasudeva’s advice to Siddhartha about his son and why Siddhartha is unable to follow this advice.

Discuss the boy’s running away and its aftermath.

CLASSWORK


HOMEWORK

Read Part 11 – Om and answer the corresponding questions.

DO NOW

What ideals do many religions have in common? What are fundamental, basic things that most people value in leading worthwhile lives?

PART 11 - OM

Analyze the repetition of the word “blind.” What are some types of “blindness” that everyone experiences?

Discuss Siddhartha’s conclusion about wisdom.

Examine the effect of Siddhartha’s seeing his reflection in the river.

Analyze the effect of Siddhartha’s “confession” to Vasudeva and Vasudeva’s response.

CLASSWORK


HOMEWORK

Read Part 12 – Govinda and answer the corresponding questions.

Do Now

Why does it take Siddhartha so long to understand his life’s journey? Do you think he, like most people, could only understand the journey late in his life? Explain.

PART 12 - GOVINDA

Discuss Govinda’s state of mind when he returns to the river and Siddhartha’s explanation of his own search.

Summarize Siddhartha’s conclusions about life.

Analyze Govinda’s reception of Siddhartha’s philosophy.

CLASSWORK


HOMEWORK

Study for test.

D O N OW With what religions are you familiar? What is universally important in religion?

Documents

self slide

folklore slide

manu smriti slide

basic laws of judaism

h induism basic laws

teachings tripitika

j udaism basic laws

c hristianity basic