Comparing the Theme of Self-Discovery in Demian and Siddhartha Essay

   Literature reflects many aspects   of human nature.   It can be seen as a collection of mankind's thoughts.   The intangible is transformed from brainwave patterns to ink patterns.   What leads to the writing of literature varies from author to author.  Ã‚   In the case of Hermann Hesse, it was his personal experiences in life.   In the novels Demian and Siddhartha, Hermann Hesse was influenced by Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, both psycho-analysts.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A personal crisis, which caused Hesse to undergo psycho-analysis with Dr. J.B. Lang, led to the writing of Demian in 1919.   His fascination with Eastern cultures and his trip to India in 1922 directly resulted in the creation of the novel Siddhartha.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The fundamental theme of self-discovery is evident in both novels.   Self-discovery involves developing the mind,   experiencing life, obtaining wisdom, learning about oneself, coming to an understanding and acceptance of this, and by the end, discovering one's identity.   This theme of self-discovery was important to Hesse because he experienced similar events in life.   He was born in Germany in 1877 and raised in a Protestant household with expectations to follow in the footsteps of his forefathers and become a missionary.   He did not wish to do so, partly because he was interested in Eastern religions.   This personal crisis of the questioning of fundamental beliefs deeply affected Hesse.   In Demian he writes, "There is only one true vocation for everybody - to find the way to himself." (Hesse, Demian, 1989, p.120)   Through his struggles, he found that the road to self-discovery could only be experienced firsthand and could not be e... ...ld Literature. New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1972.    13. Timpe, Eugene F. "Hesse's Siddhartha and the Bhagavad Gita". Comparative Literature, V.22 No.4 , 1970.    14. Walter, Soreil. Hermann Hesse The Man Who Sought and Found Himself. London: Oswald Wolff, 1974.    15. Wast, R.W. (Ed.). Modern German Authors New Series. (Vol.2).    16. Benet's Readers Encyclopedia Third Edition.   Toronto: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 1987.    17. "Hesse, Hermann". The New Encyclopedia Britannica Micropedia, (Vol. 5),   Ã‚  Toronto: Encyclopedia   Britannica, Inc., 1990, p. 899.    18. "Nirvana". The World Book Encyclopedia, (Vol.14).   Ã‚  Toronto: World Book, Inc., 1987, p.332-333.    19. Twentieth Century Authors. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1942.    20. The Works of Hermann Hesse. Toronto: The Publishing Company Ltd., 1980.