Siddhartha

The most crucial theme in the novel “Siddhartha” is the protagonists’ search for enlightenment, the transcendence into Nirvana. Though surrounded by people with the monotonous goals such as wealth, love, and fame, Siddhartha and his friend, Govinda, wished to spend their lives becoming spiritually enlightened. While their goals were the same, however, their paths were quite different. Govinda’s method forced him to rely on the teachings of an elder one, and Siddhartha’s method forced him to find his own way to enlightenment. Though both achieved enlightenment in the end of the novel, Siddhartha’s path was more fulfilling and successful.

In “Siddhartha”, both protagonists represent civilization. Govinda, who left the Brahmins unwillingly, still clung to their customary nature of following under an elder or teacher to learn the ways of the world; this is an emulation of an inexorable society that is reluctant to change tradition. Siddhartha, on the other hand, was willing to change even his beliefs to achieve his goal. Siddhartha’s lenience emulates of a more obstinate society, in which the society is willing to advance itself despite tradition. By just conforming to tradition, society will never advance or grow. This is shown when Siddhartha achieves enlightenment and Govinda does not.

The events and lessons that both protagonists undergo in their lives represents the need for an understanding of other societies besides your own. Siddhartha, who traveled around the world and experienced other lifestyles, got a better understanding of himself and others by living in another person’s world rather than just observing it from a distance. Govinda, conversely, who lived his whole life by traditional means, was oblivious to the way’s that other people live their everyday lives. In order for a society to work, you must understand yourself and other societies so you can work together to achieve a prosperous and stable civilization; this theory, known as Social Darwinism, cannot