Comparing Spiritual Growth in Siddhartha and the Movie (Film), Seven Years in Tibet

507 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Religion influence on literature

Spiritual Growth in Siddhartha and the Movie (Film), Seven Years in Tibet

The novel Siddhartha and the film Seven Years in Tibet are both comparable. They have similar plots and can relate to each other in many different ways. There are many characters that almost have identical personalities. In addition, both the novel and the movie are based upon ideas of Buddhism. Throughout both the novel and the movie there are many connections that can be made to show how both of these stories relate.

During the movie and the novel there are many similar themes. There are many examples that show compassion for all living creatures. Having respect for all living beings is a belief for Buddhists. In the movie, Heinrich was building a movie theatre for the Dalai Lama. The townspeople were helping them, but while they were digging they noticed earthworms were living there. It would be cruel for them to kill the earthworms; so in order to build the movie theatre they must remove all of the earthworms and put them somewhere else to live. In the novel, Siddhartha always had respect for nature. The river is an object that meant a great deal to him. Siddhartha could never disrespect the river because that is what helped him get further on his journey to enlightenment.

In the beginning of the movie, Heinrich leaves his wife pregnant. He doesn't care that he put climbing before his responsibilities of having a family. This shows how cold and egocentric Heinrich was in the beginning of Seven Years in Tibet. Siddhartha also has a period in his life when he is egocentric. While Siddhartha was with the Samanas, all he cared about was his own well-being. The small portions of food he acquired from begging was only to feed himself. Siddhartha never offered anything to anyone else while he was traveling with the Samanas.

There are many characters from both the movie and the novel that are alike. Siddhartha and Heinrich are both the main characters in which the story revolves around. They both are on a journey and grow throughout their trip. They learn what life truly means to each of them. Govinda and Peter are also two characters that are similar.

Show More
Related

  • A Small Free Kiss in the Dark by Glenda Millard and Tomorrow When the War Began

    540 Words  | 2 Pages

    Another similarity in the book and movie is that the characters have to go against their morals in order to decide what to do in certain situations. An example of this in the book is when Skip realises he would have to trespass and steal in order for him to keep himself and his friends alive. Or in...

    Read More

  • A Comparison of The Perfect Storm Movie and Novel

    863 Words  | 2 Pages

    While watching the movie, I could see that the main characters in the book, both their names and traits, were the same in both the movie and book. However, aside from that there were many different as...

    Read More

  • McMurphy is Not a Christ Figure in Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

    1321 Words  | 3 Pages

    The similarities are prolific in their presence in certain parts of the novel, the very context of both stories shows similarities, both are dealing with an oppressed factor that is set free by an outsider who teaches and challenges the system in which the oppressed are caught.

    Read More

  • Hermann Hesse’s Use of Literary Devices in Siddhartha

    633 Words  | 2 Pages

    Siddhartha is a much respected son of a Brahmin who lives with his father in ancient India. Everyone in their town expects Siddhartha to act like his father and become successful. Although he lives a very high quality life, Siddhartha is dissatisfied and along with his best friend Govinda- wants nothing more than to join the group of wandering ascetics called Samana’s. This group starves themselves, travels almost naked and must beg for the food they survive on. This group of people believes that to achieve enlightenment and self-actualization: body image, health, physical and material desires must be thrown away. Although this is the life Siddhartha wished for himself, he soon discovers that it is not the right choice for him. Near desolation, Siddhartha happens upon a river where he hears a strange sound. This sound signifies the beginning of the life he was born to live – the beginning of his true self. Hesse uses many literary devices to assure Siddhartha’s goal of self-actualization and creates a proper path for that success.

    Read More

  • Siddhartha’s Influences

    431 Words  | 1 Pages

    In the novel Siddhartha, Herman Hesse used other characters to let Siddhartha grow both intellectually and spiritually. During the course of his journey, Siddhartha encountered many people and experienced different ways of living and thinking about life. Each person taught him something about himself and the world around him.

    Read More

  • The Maturation of Siddhartha

    816 Words  | 2 Pages

    he makes a number of choices, "turns", that put him on a path of his

    Read More

  • Free Siddhartha Essays: Theme of Unity

    406 Words  | 1 Pages

    Frequent allusions to the river correspond w/ Siddhartha's infinite thoughts of Unity and his initial plans to strive for it. Siddhartha has a number of specific goals during the course of this novel, but in no way does this detract from the bare nature of his ultimate goal. The accomplishment of specific goals was an important part of the progression approaching his absolute state of Unity.

    Read More

  • The Stages of Siddharta's Journey to Self Enlightenment

    1700 Words  | 4 Pages

    Readers have been fascinated with Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha for decades. Written in 1951, Hesse’s most famous novel provides the reader with a work of literature that, “presents a remarkable exploration of the deepest philosophical and spiritual dimensions of human existence” (Bennett n.p). Siddhartha takes place in India while the Buddha has first began his teachings. The book follows the life of a man by the name of Siddhartha, on his journey to reach enlightenment. The main theme in Siddhartha is reaching enlightenment without the guidance of a teacher or mentor. Siddhartha believes that he must learn from himself, and the guidance of another teacher will only distort his goals of reaching enlightenment. Siddhartha says that he must, “learn from myself, be a pupil of myself: I shall get to know, myself, the mystery of Siddhartha” (Hesse 36). On Siddhartha’s journey to reach Nirvana, the highest level of peace in the Buddhist culture, he undergoes three stages all of which are critical in helping Siddhartha find peace within himself.

    Read More

  • Siddhartha - The Three Stages

    557 Words  | 2 Pages

    "On the great journey of life, if a man cannot find one who is better or at least as good as himself, let him journey joyfully alone."  The story of Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse makes this point true.  The main character Siddhartha dealt with the Samanas and Gotama Buddha, the second with Kamala and then the ferryman. The three parts correspond to the three stages though which Siddhartha passes on his journey to enlightenment:  The stage of the mind; the stage of the flesh; the stage of transcendence.

    Read More

  • Siddhartha-the Shape of Time

    1228 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...the surface the theme seems to contrast with the book's structure. But upon further examination, one finds that the plot isn't nearly as linear as it seems at first glance. Siddhartha is not straight line construction, but rather a series of circles. The protagonist is born and reborn, but he never abandons his original goal: to reach Atman. And at each rebirth, whether he is becoming a Samana, a hedonist, or a sage, he is reunited with his friend Govinda.

    Read More

  • Siddhartha's Journey To Enlightenment

    694 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.” (“Quotes by Buddha”) The Buddha went through many trials and tribulations to reach enlightenment. But, he persevered and once he reached this state, he shared his spiritual knowledge with countless others (Editors of Biography.com).

    Read More

  • The Quest for Nirvana in Siddhartha

    2693 Words  | 6 Pages

    In Siddhartha, by Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha and his friend, Govinda, leave their sheltered lives as Brahmins, Hindu priests, to be Samanas, ascetics who deny themselves all pleasure. Some years after, they meet the Buddha, whom Govinda stays with to be a monk while Siddhartha leaves to continue on his own adventures. Toward the end of their lives, they meet again at a river bank and discover if they have truly achieved inner peace. Hesse uses Govinda as a contrast to Siddhartha. As displayed in excursions with the Samanas, with the Buddha, and on other adventures, Siddhartha is a character who is more independent and must learn on his own while Govinda is more dependent and feels he must be taught.

    Read More

  • Learning From Siddhartha

    1013 Words  | 3 Pages

    Siddhartha, written by Herman Hesse, is a novel about a man's progression towards his goal to center his life with a combination of peace and balance. Many of the displayed philosophies can be applied to today's world. Through my reading, I noticed many similarities between my life and Siddhartha's. First, Siddhartha felt a need for independence, that to truly be happy with his success, he must attain his achievements in his own way, and not others. Even though, he feels he must acquire this by himself, he tries to be as removed from his human side as possible. Only later does he learn that individuality and freedom from necessity must be united to procure his objectives and free him from his imperfections. Second, Siddhartha discovers that things and riches do not bring happiness. They are only temporary. No matter the extent of wealth a person has this never satisfies the insatiable need for possessions. Lastly, Siddhartha found that balance is the key to peace and happiness. Although a simplistic teaching, it is very complex to learn and apply. In my life, I can relate to his path and lessons, because I feel the same struggles and battles with attaining serenity.

    Read More

  • What is Sociology?

    676 Words  | 2 Pages

    After reviewing the article titles given for this first assignment, I believe they indicate that Sociology, generally speaking, is not only a study of diversity or commonality in traits among people; it is also a science about factors in a person’s life and how these factors culminate responses. Interestingly enough, its topics of concern seem to be directly determined by current and common events of the world. Through the invention and expansion of new ideas, popular trends and fashions through time, Sociology adapts to responsibly to service the very subjects of interest it studies; for, even the slightest change of a person’s daily experience can have an insurmountable impact on attitude, personal growth, family dynamics and basic group behavior.

    Read More

  • The Impact of Sociology of the Social Divisions

    553 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Impact of Sociology of the Social Divisions Examine critically some of the ways in which the sociology of the

    Read More

More about Comparing Spiritual Growth in Siddhartha and the Movie (Film), Seven Years in Tibet

Open Document