Siddhartha

by

Hermann Hesse

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Young Siddhartha Character Analysis

is the son of Siddhartha and Kamala, conceived in the pleasure grove of the town where Siddhartha has learned the art of love. Young Siddhartha, when he first meets his father, has been nurtured by the rich ways of the town and so, when his mother dies, feels imprisoned by his new guardian in the simple life of the riverside hut. Young Siddhartha provokes the final transformation of Siddhartha—by refusing to stay with his father, he teachers Siddhartha to understand the blind love that the child people feel and to see how he is a part of the cycle, and how his departure from his father mirrors that of Young Siddhartha from him.

Young Siddhartha Quotes in Siddhartha

The Siddhartha quotes below are all either spoken by Young Siddhartha or refer to Young Siddhartha. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
The Path to Spiritual Enlightenment Theme Icon
).
Part 2, Chapter 10 Quotes

“Can I part with him?” he asked softly, embarrassed. “Give me more time, dear friend! Look, I am fighting for him, I am wooing his heart, I want to capture it with love and friendly patience. Let the river speak to him too someday; he too is called.”

Related Characters: Siddhartha (speaker), Siddhartha, Vasudeva, Young Siddhartha
Related Symbols: The River
Page Number: 104
Explanation and Analysis:

He felt deep love in his heart for the runaway. It was like a wound; and he also felt that the wound was not for wallowing, that it must become a blossom and shine.

Related Characters: Siddhartha, Young Siddhartha
Page Number: 111
Explanation and Analysis:
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Young Siddhartha Character Timeline in Siddhartha

The timeline below shows where the character Young Siddhartha appears in Siddhartha. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part Two, Chapter 9 – The Ferryman
The Path to Spiritual Enlightenment Theme Icon
Nature and the Spirit Theme Icon
Direction and Indirection Theme Icon
...inside him, then he recognizes the mother and knows that the boy must be his son. (full context)
The Path to Spiritual Enlightenment Theme Icon
Young Siddhartha is afraid for his mother and Siddhartha tries to comfort his son. He remembers a prayer he learned from the Brahmins and sings it. His son calms... (full context)
Part Two, Chapter 10 – The Son
Direction and Indirection Theme Icon
Truth and Illusion Theme Icon
...him. But though at first, Siddhartha felt so enriched by the thought of knowing his son, as time goes on, the boy’s mischievous ways and surly attitude toward Siddhartha drains him... (full context)
The Path to Spiritual Enlightenment Theme Icon
But, as time goes on, Siddhartha, expecting his son to come round and learn to love him, is disappointed. Young Siddhartha is defiant and... (full context)
The Path to Spiritual Enlightenment Theme Icon
Nature and the Spirit Theme Icon
Direction and Indirection Theme Icon
Siddhartha doesn’t feel ready to part with his son. He asks for more time. He believes that he can woo his son and that... (full context)
The Path to Spiritual Enlightenment Theme Icon
Direction and Indirection Theme Icon
Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction Theme Icon
...and sulking. Nothing about Siddhartha can influence the boy. He is bored and feels so imprisoned by Siddhartha's kindness that he would almost prefer to be punished. One day, when Siddhartha... (full context)
Direction and Indirection Theme Icon
Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction Theme Icon
Siddhartha is anxious for the child ’s safety and begs that they make a raft and follow him. But Vasudeva responds... (full context)
The Path to Spiritual Enlightenment Theme Icon
Direction and Indirection Theme Icon
...to the boat, there is no oar left. He wants Siddhartha to realize that his son doesn’t want to be followed. Siddhartha hurries to search for his son, but as he... (full context)
Part Two, Chapter 11 – Om
The Path to Spiritual Enlightenment Theme Icon
Nature and the Spirit Theme Icon
Truth and Illusion Theme Icon
...oneness and the smile that real wisdom is all about. But the wound of his son still burns in him, and one day he longs to go to town and see... (full context)
The Path to Spiritual Enlightenment Theme Icon
Nature and the Spirit Theme Icon
Direction and Indirection Theme Icon
Visions appear to Siddhartha as he watches, the faces of his lonely son and lonely father, and himself. The voice of the river is lamenting and determined. Vasudeva... (full context)