Comparing the Theme of Self-Discovery in Demian and Siddhartha

Literature reflects many aspects

of human nature. It can be seen as a

collection of mankind's thoughts. The intangible is transformed from

brainwave patterns to ink patterns. What leads to the writing of literature

varies from author to author. In the case of Hermann Hesse, it was his

personal experiences in life. In the novels Demian and Siddhartha, Hermann

Hesse was influenced by Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, both psycho-analysts.

A personal crisis, which caused Hesse to undergo psycho-analysis with Dr. J.B.

Lang, led to the writing of Demian in 1919. His fascination with Eastern

cultures and his trip to India in 1922 directly resulted in the creation of

the novel Siddhartha. The fundamental theme of self-discovery is evident

in both novels. Self-discovery involves developing the mind, experiencing

life, obtaining wisdom, learning about oneself, coming to an understanding and

acceptance of this, and by the end, discovering one's identity. This theme of

self-discovery was important to Hesse because he experienced similar events in

life. He was born in Germany in 1877 and raised in a Protestant household

with expectations to follow in the footsteps of his forefathers and become a

missionary. He did not wish to do so, partly because he was interested in

Eastern religions. This personal crisis of the questioning of fundamental

beliefs deeply affected Hesse. In Demian he writes, "There is only one true

vocation for everybody - to find the way to himself." (Hesse, Demian, 1989,

p.120) Through his struggles, he found that the road to self-discovery could

only be experienced firsthand and could not be e...

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