Free Siddhartha Essays: The River and the Mind/Body Dichotomy :: Hesse Siddhartha Essays

The River and the Mind/Body Dichotomy in Siddhartha     In Herman Hesses work Siddhartha, the primary physical symbol of division is the river. 1 side of the river represents geist, or a realm concerned with the spiritual world. The second side represents natur, the natural world where the flesh is engorged with pleasure and earthly satisfaction. Siddhartha begins on the spiritual side of the river. He is in training to become an excellent Brahmin like his father, much is expected of this intelligent and attractive young man. insofar Siddhartha feels a rumbling in his body and mind. His soul is not satisfied with the answers that he has received ab step up problems in life. He feels the need to live his stand in order to find these answers. He is willing to sacrifice security for insecurity and danger. His travels renew and strengthen his spirit.   The structure of the story is centered around the apparatus of iterative-durative time, a technique in which the au thor follows a loose linear chronlogy, with each part covering approximately twenty years, while just about one or two of those years are described in any detail. The effect easily lulls the reader into a perception of the passage time. He first spends time with a roving band of asceitics, forest-dwelling nomads that prefer to live a life of extreme sacrifice and self-denial. Siddhartha masters their art and goals, except shortly decides to move on after only a few years. He is not able to find his quest for salvation and understanding on such a path. Throughout his journey, his friend Govinda stays by his side. He decides to leave the town with him, come with him and practice with the ascetics, and then agrees to leave with him to seek out the Illustrious One, Gotama. Siddhartha does not find the answers to his spiritual queries here either, and decides to move on again. This time Govinda, his shadow, decides to stay and make a niche for himself. Siddhartha strikes out on his ow n, crossing the center symbol of the river with the help of the boatman Vasudeva. After crossing the river he encounters an Indian woman who encourages him and allows him to kiss her nipple. His experience with the natur world has begun, his experiences of the sense being heightened and readied for a sensual deluge.   He remains on the sensual side of the river for twenty years and in that time impregnates his seductive teacher and partner Kamala.