Siddhartha Research Paper

The river, in the book Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, is a symbol, a plot device, and the prophet throughout the story and Siddhartha’s spiritual journey. The river, and the explanation of time given above also explains and represents a Buddhist outlook on time and existence itself, impermanence and presence in the moment. The river itself is a compelling symbol by itself. Greek mythology features several rivers, each with different purposes. The river Styx circles the underworld and usually represents hatred, pain and suffering. In some stories, there is a ferryman, who carry souls across the river, into the underworld. It is possible the river in Siddhartha is an allusion to Greek mythology, particularly the river Styx. One of the key beliefs of Buddhism is that life is pain and suffering, which mirrors the symbolism behind the river Styx. Further the
The Siddhartha encounters the river several times throughout his life. Sometimes, just as landscape, something to be crossed, and later as point of rock bottom, where he considers killing himself, and finally where he spends his later years as ferryman, helping people across the river. The river helps Siddhartha reach enlightenment and understanding of the universe, Siddhartha learns from the river. This is significant for several reasons, because it is more accurately said that, Siddhartha used the river and nature to interpret the universe and to understand the universe. The river inspired the epiphany or shift in belief, it didn’t cause the shift in belief by itself. This is important, because Siddhartha was against learning doctrines from others, because while he did believe the Buddha when he outlined his plan for enlightenment, he couldn’t follow the Buddha, he had to make the same discoveries for himself, otherwise it wouldn’t work. A seeking man must seek his answers for himself, not learn them from others, and Siddhartha considers himself to be a seeking