Depression In Siddhartha And Groundhog Day

Enlightenment is defined as, “a final blessed state marked by the absence of suffering and desire,”; although, to be completely without desire would require experience with the indulgences of the physical world. This is relevant in the lives of Siddhartha from Siddhartha, by Hermann Hesse, and Phil from the movie, Groundhog Day. Phil and Siddhartha’s characters are developed through a series of confusion, loneliness and reckless behavior that ultimately results in a state of depression that opens their eyes and allows them to reach enlightenment. The paths of Phil and Siddhartha begin in a confused state, and the poor choices made during this time leads to gluttony, greed and overindulgences. This ravenous state results in depression, and further,

Early on, Siddhartha realizes that he isn’t happy.Hesse writes, “Siddhartha started to nurse discontent in himself… the love of his friend, Govinda, would not bring him joy” (23). His confusion results in him isolating himself from those who care about him the most. Later on, Siddhartha further isolates himself. Govinda says, “You’re mocking me. Mock me if you’d like, Siddhartha! But have you not also developed a desire, an eagerness, to hear these teachings” (51). It is evident here that Siddhartha is actively driving his friends away from him. Likewise, Phil isolates himself from those who work with him with his aggressive and sarcastic nature. When talking to a college, he says, “They don’t really think of me as a weatherman around here. More of a ‘personality’, but with the credibility of a first-class broadcast journalist.” Phil clearly thinks very highly of himself, and thus, drives people away. Later on in the movie, Phil yells at a road-worker, demanding that he lets him drive through the storm. Phil has a self-focused attitude and is aggressive towards everyone, even those who try to help him. The actions of both Phil and Siddhartha lead them to actively isolate themselves, and result in them having to make life changing