Siddhartha Character analysis

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Formula for Character Analysis

Siddhartha

By: Herman Hesse

Formula for Character Analysis Clarification Sheet

I.

a) Siddhartha

  1) Knowledgeable

  2) Patient

  3) Questioning

  4) Enlightened

b) Govinda

  1) Follower

  2) Intelligent

  3) Spiritual

  4) Loyal

c) Kamala

1) Beautiful

  2) Slender

  3) Youthful

  4) Materialistic

d) Vasudeva

1) Wise

  2) Old

  3) Divine

  4) Humble

II.

 a) Siddhartha

 1) Knowledgeable - “Siddhartha had long taken part in the learned men’s conversations, engaged in debate with Govinda and had practiced the art of contemplation.” (3) This shows that Siddhartha has attained much knowledge and is able to take part in the wise men’s conversations.

  2) Patient - “He ate once a day and never cooked food. He fasted fourteen days. He fasted twenty-eight days.” (13) This shows that Siddhartha is able to be patient with his body as well as himself.

  3) Questioning – “Siddhartha began to feel the seeds of discontent within him… He had begun to suspect that his worthy father and his other teachers… had passed on to him the best of knowledge… “(5) Siddhartha feels that this knowledge is not enough for him and that he must find a greater source of happiness. This causes him to start questioning his life.

  4) Enlightened – “From that hour, Siddhartha ceased to fight against his destiny. There shone on his face the serenity of knowledge… “ (136) After he goes through his experiences about life, Siddhartha learns many different lessons and finally reaches enlightenment.

b) Govinda

1) Follower – “… a crouching shadow emerged from the last hut and joined the pilgrim. It was Govinda.” (12). Govinda is following Sidhartha on his journey to enlightenment, and shows that he will follow Siddhartha in almost all he does.

  2) Intelligent – “… he had engaged in debates with Govinda.” (3). Since Siddhartha was a very intelligent man, if Govinda is able to debate with him, it shows that Govinda is also as smart as Siddhartha.

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  3) Spiritual – “At his side, lived Govinda his shadow; he traveled along the same path, made the same endeavors.” (16). Siddhartha and Govinda were both on their path to enlightenment, which shows that Govinda was also just as spiritual as Siddhartha.

  4) Loyal – “I am not going anywhere. We monks are always on the way, except during rainy season.” (93). This shows that Govinda has been loyal and stayed with the monks and the Illustrious One for years even after he and Siddhartha parted their ways.

c) Kamala

1) Beautiful – “Siddhartha saw how beautiful she ...

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