Self-Discovery In Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha

Everyone grows up viewing the world differently, according to their own unique experiences. Consequentially, they do not see the world as it really is, but only as an illusion of what they believe it to be, a reflection of what they want it to be, or simply how they have been taught to see and understand it over time. Beliefs beget values based on one’s perspective. Thus, every person experiences a unique journey on their individual path to self-discovery. In Hermann Hesse’s renowned novel, Siddhartha, the author warns that seeking the path of others is a hindrance to finding true happiness and attaining self-discovery, as demonstrated by Siddhartha’s relationships with both the Samanas and Kamala, as well as in his personal evolution over
Siddhartha returns to the river, marking his reunification with Vasudeva and his soul. Vasudeva offers small clues about how he achieved enlightenment, allowing Siddhartha to search within himself for his own path. “Siddhartha spoke after a long pause, ‘What other thing, Vasudeva?’...’I cannot say what ‘other thing,’ o Friend. You will learn it, perhaps you already know it.’” (84) Vasudeva speaks in similes and metaphors, allowing the ambiguity to function as a luminary catalyst. “The river is everywhere at once, at its origin and at its mouth, at the waterfall, at the ferry, at the rapids, in the sea, in the mountains, everywhere at the same time, and for it only the present exists, no shadow of the past, no shadow of the future.” (85) The river is the Rosetta Stone to Siddhartha’s life. His child self, his Samana self, and his rich self are all different versions of the same person in different situations, separated only by thoughts (“shadows”), not reality. To find himself and achieve nirvana, he has to embrace all aspects of himself and listen, which he had previously failed to
The Samanas teach him to rid himself of material possessions. Kamala teaches him how to rid himself of his ascetic lifestyle. Because he never fully accepts any part of himself, he is always lost even when he thinks he understands. The self-delusional reality that he tries to escape is merely the conglomerate concoction of instruction from his former teachers. He succumbed to the natural tendency to look outwards rather than inwards when searching. However, when he encounters the river, he is able to see clearly, thus releasing himself from his own