Monday, July 8, 2013
Siddhartha--Part One
Post your response to the first section of reading for the book Siddhartha here. You can talk about whatever you would like, but may choose to consider the characters, plot, setting, point of view, overall themes or genre of the novel. You will need to sign in with an account of some kind (Google, AIM etc) in order to post. If you can't get your comments to post, feel free to bring in your response as a hard copy the day of class for credit.The response does not need to be a full page, but a decent paragraph would be nice. Think about what you might like to talk about in class and use this space to brainstorm ideas.
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While the book is obviously set in a much different time and location than the present the characters (Siddhartha and Govinda) would appear to be fairly typical young adults. Siddhartha is a young man who has a vision for the future. The vision, at least at this point in his life, does not include growing up in the same area he has lived all of his life. Siddhartha wants to adventure and explore and would like for his friend Govinda to accompany him. I do not see where Siddhartha wants anything different in his life than what a lot of young people today and throughout time have wanted. Siddhartha wants to know what else is out there for him. He wants to know what lies in store for him in the next town or country.
ReplyDeleteGovinda is also typical. Govinda appears to be a follower. Govinda sees the life Siddhartha has and wants his life to be similar. When Siddhartha asks Govinda to leave with him Govinda is initially hesitant but still feels like with his friend Siddhartha with him he can do anything.
The reaction of Siddhartha’s father is also typical for a parent of any time. Siddhartha’s father was not happy that his son wanted to leave. After many hours of thought and consideration Siddhartha’s father realized that Siddhartha was no longer a child and that he must let Siddhartha go. His father also did what I feel a good father should do. He blessed Siddhartha’s travels, let Siddhartha know he was not “happy” about his choice but stated he would support him anyway. Last but not least Siddhartha’s father let him know that no matter what Siddhartha found or how his travels went he would always be welcome to come back home.
There are two main characters in the first 3 chapters of the story. There is Siddhartha, who everybody admires and wants to follow, and there is Govinda, who is Siddhartha's best friend and is willing to follow Siddhartha where ever he goes. Even though everybody admires and wants to follow Siddhartha, he is not satisfied with the level that he's at, which was a Brahmans's son. So Siddhartha decides to leave home and join the Samanas. Govinda follows him and they spend 3 years with them, during this time Siddhartha learns everything he needs to learn and he starts feeling unsatisfied again.
ReplyDeleteWhen Govinda offers to leave the Samanas to go listen to the teachings of the Gotama, Siddhartha agrees to go with him. While they are there, Govinda decides to join the Gotama and he tries to convince Siddhartha to follow him, but Siddhartha doesn't follow. Before Siddhartha leaves, he has an encounter with the Gotama's leaver, Buddha. During this encounter Siddhartha explains to him he doesn't want to join the Gotama's. Siddhartha expects him and wants him to be mad at him, but he is surprised when he doesn't respond the way he wants him to.
The story is written in Siddhartha's point of view.
The story of Siddhartha goes past the concept that 'ignorance is bliss' to try to find a more deeper meaning to life. Siddhartha and Govinda are two eager students learning everything that could be taught by their teachers. Instead of living life in repeat, they become like the Samana and find meaning through a humble life. Govinda and Siddhartha discuss and debate the meaning of life even after learning all they could from the Samana's. Finally, they decide that even with the aid of the Samana's, finding the true awareness was still not within reach. Siddhartha decides to explore for the holy Buddha in hopes another society can reveal to him the answer he seeks.
ReplyDeleteAs Siddhartha continues his journey he is starting to learn more about himself and life. In this reading it appears as though he is starting to gain some information that he is looking for. The information is not really answers to questions but a realization of what the questions for him truly are.
ReplyDeleteDuring this time Siddhartha also meets Kamala. Kamala opens up another world of teaching to Siddhartha. He "changes" his ways from that of the Samana back to that of a Brahman. He does so with the intent of being able to associate with Kamala so he may learn from her.
In this reading as Siddhartha starts to get some answers to the new questions he has he realizes that he has more questions. As I stated in my first post much of what Siddhartha is going through is not unlike what most everyone goes through today. If we want to continue to live we always are asking questions. We want to know if what our lot in life now is where we really want to be. We want to know what tomorrow has in store for us and how we can answer the questions we have about our life and life in general.
Siddartha is realizing he has going from youth to man as the book stated like a snake left by its old skin. He is still searching fro his "self". He is now realizing everything surrounded by him has meaning and purpose things he never cared or seen before. Siddartha took a ride on the river and the ferryman did not request money but told him you will give me another gift your friendship as a reward and that you will be back. Everything comes back just like the river the ferryman had indicated. Siddartha then met Kamala looking for love. He fell in lust with her immediately. He had shaved his beard and oiled his hair. He recited a poem that he created for Kamala and in return she had gave him a kiss. She told him that he lacked clothes, shoes, and money. Each day he came to visit her. She had the maid get him clothes and set it up for him to meet a wealthy merchant. He knew how to fast, wait, and think but didn't know how he would get the three things Kamala wanted from him. He went about and met him and lived at the merchants house and traveled to sell rice for the merchant. He learned many valuable lessons just like in life we learn. Him and Kamala disagreed on a few as one instance he went to sell the rice and they had bought from someone else. She thought this was a waste of Siddartha's time and he said no I met people, went to a wedding, etc. Kamala said that she hoped someday to bear Siddartha's child. I feel Siddartha is finally finding his enlightment.
ReplyDelete