Archetypes In Siddhartha

Throughout the novel Siddhartha written by Hermann Hesse, there are many archetypes present that can compare to Occidental literature. An archetype is a worldly recognized symbol in a work of literature that many believe every book is based off of. An archetype can be a character, a tradition, a story or image that recurs in different works in different cultures. Archetypal criticism focuses on those patterns that commonly occur. It is clear that Hesse includes many archetypes from start to finish in his novel Siddhartha including the characters he creates, the river, and the meditation “Om” which can easily be compared to symbols and characters all throughout literature. First, the novel’s protagonist is clearly Siddhartha. He journeys on

As a representation of life, it provides knowledge without words. The river’s many sounds suggest the noises of all living things, and the flow of the river, as well as the fact that its water perpetually returns, suggests the nature of time. “But of all the water's secrets, he saw today only a single one-one that struck his soul. He saw that this water flowed and flowed, it was constantly flowing, and yet it was always there; it was always eternally the same and yet new at every moment! Oh, to be able to grasp this, to understand this”(Hesse 84). The river is a main symbol from start to finish in Siddhartha and represents unity and the eternity of all things in the whole universe. "The new Siddhartha felt a deep love for this flowing water and decided that he would not leave it again so quickly" (Hesse 81). The river in Siddhartha prompts the comparison to the Holy Spirit in my opinion. The Holy Spirit is constantly guiding people who need its help. Just like in novel when Siddhartha was contemplating committing suicide, the river was there to help him. Jesus would refer to the Holy Spirit as a counselor that guides us through everyday life, and that’s just the reason why Siddhartha kept returning to the