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Siddhartha by Herman Hesse; Hilda Rosner (Translator)
Call Number: FIC LF HES
ISBN: 0811202925
This book chronicles the spiritual evolution of a man living in India at the time of the Buddha--a tale that has inspired generations of readers. We are invited along Siddhartha's journey experiencing his highs, lows, loves, and disappointments along the way. Hesse begins by showing us the life of a privileged brahmin's son. Handsome, well-loved, and growing increasingly dissatisfied with the life expected of him, Siddhartha sets out on his journey, not realizing that he is fulfilling the prophesies proclaimed at his birth. Siddhartha blends in with the world, showing the reader the beauty and intricacies of the mind, nature, and his experiences on the path to enlightenment. Sherab Chodzin Kohn's flowing, poetic translation conveys the philosophical and spiritual nuances of Hesse's text, paying special attention to the qualities of meditative experience. Also included is an extensive introduction by Paul W. Morris that discusses the impact "Siddhartha" has had on American culture.

Enlightenment (epiphany)

Siddhartha: A Modern Man of Ancient India
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Siddhartha Major Characters
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Hermann Hesse's "Siddhartha": Some Critical Objections
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The Ideological Framework of Hermann Hesse's "Siddhartha"
Click here to read an analysis of symbols used in Siddhartha.
Mythical Reflections of the East in Hermann Hesse
Click here to read an analysis of symbols, such as the riverbanks, in Siddhartha.

Further Resources to Help Understand Symbolism in Siddhartha

Symbols and Symbolisms by TedEd

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Siddhartha (critical analysis)
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Siddhartha (work analysis)
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Hermann Hesse. Siddhartha
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Siddhartha (summary)
Siddhartha's Reader Guide
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Buddhism
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Trimurti
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Hesse's Siddhartha and the Bhagavad Gita
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Literary Terms
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League of Nations recognizes perpetual Swiss neutrality
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Switzerland during the war years (1914-1945)
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Switzerland in the 1920s
Click here to learn the situation of Switzerland during the time Herman Hesse stayed in the country while he wrote his novel Siddhartha.
Ticino, Switzerland History
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