Siddhartha
(Hermann Hesse)

Siddhartha focuses on the titular character as he goes through life searching for the nature of existence. He is of the scholarly Brahmin class, where he is known as a religious boy. Dissatisfied by the answers he is receiving in his village, he sets out with his friend Govinda to live as an ascetic monk- a samana- in the forest. The answers he finds through this life are just as unfulfilling, and Siddhartha is convinced that what he wants can’t be taught. Rumor of a man who has achieved nirvana reaches them, and both Gotama and Govinda go searching for him. When they find him, Govinda decides to stay while Siddhartha continues on.

Siddhartha reaches a city, where upon arriving he is struck by the beauty of Kamala, a courtesan. Wanting to learn how to love, he is put on a quest to acquire riches, leading him to the merchant Kamaswami. He has a natural knack for business due to his detachment from the activity- an attitude that creates friction between him and Kamaswami. After two decades of decadence, Siddhartha is disgusted with the life he has been leading as it has dulled his spiritual sensibilities. He leaves behind everything, including Kamala, whom he doesn’t know is pregnant.

After despairing in the forest and almost committing suicide in a river. Siddhartha has an epiphany that holds him back, choosing instead to sleep by a tree. He awakens to find Govinda has passed by and was watching over him. They have a short conversation and go their ways. Siddhartha runs into the Vasudeva- ferryman who had taken him across for free many years ago, and he insists on staying and living as he does. He does so, learning about the river and rafting.

Years pass and Gotama dies, causing a flood of pilgrims to pass by the river. One of those is Kamala, who had given up her courtesan life and followed Gotama’s teachings instead. On her way to pay respects to the Buddha, while travelling with Siddhartha Jr., she is bitten by a snake near where Siddhartha and Vasudeva live. After talking some, Kamala dies, leaving Siddhartha with their son. Siddhartha tries to be a devoted father, but his son is rebellious, eventually leading to the child running away. After much resistance, Siddhartha understands that he has to let his son go.

Years pass again, and Siddhartha gets the urge to see his son. He stops short and returns to Vasudeva to discuss how ridiculous he feels to have these emotions. They sit down by the river- as they often do- and an epiphany about the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, as well as the unity of all existence, hits Siddhartha. Seeing that he has learned this, Vasudeva leaves for the forest, himself already having achieved nirvana.

Govinda hears of a wise ferryman and goes to see him. Again, Siddhartha reveals himself to an unsuspecting Govinda, and the two have a discussion about nirvana and metaphysics. Though Siddhartha’s obtuse answers don’t satisfy Govinda, the latter gives a kiss on the former’s forehead and suddenly understands exactly what Siddhartha was saying.