JOURNEY TO SELF-REALIZATION IN THE SELECT NOVELS OF HERMANN HESSE

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JOURNEY TO SELF-REALIZATION IN THE SELECT NOVELS OF HERMANN HESSE THESIS SUBMITTED TO BHARATHIAR UNIVERSITY, COIMBATORE, FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ENGLISH by J.

1 JOURNEY TO SELF-REALIZATION IN THE SELECT NOVELS OF HERMANN HESSE THESIS SUBMITTED TO BHARATHIAR UNIVERSITY, COIMBATORE, FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ENGLISH by J. SANTHOSH PRIYAA Under the Guidance of Dr. C. CHANDRAKASAN, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH SRI RAMAKRISHNA MISSION VIDYALAYA COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE (An Autonomous Institution - Affiliated to Bharathiar University Re-accredited with B Grade by NAAC) COIMBATORE TAMIL NADU APRIL 2012

2 Certificate This is to certify that the thesis, entitled Journey to Self-Realization in the Select Novels of Hermann Hesse submitted to the Bharathiar University, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in English Literature is a record of original research work done by J. SANTHOSH PRIYAA during the period of her research in the Department of English at Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts And Science, Coimbatore , under my supervision and guidance and the thesis has not formed the basis for the award of any Degree / Diploma / Associateship / Fellowship or other similar title of any candidate of any University. Signature of the Guide Countersigned Head of the Department Principal

3 Declaration I, J.SANTHOSH PRIYAA, hereby declare that the thesis, entitled Journey to Self- Realization in the Select Novels of Hermann Hesse submitted to the Bharathiar University, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in English Literature is a record of original and independent research work done by me during under the supervision and guidance of Dr. C. CHANDRAKASAN, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D., Associate Professor and Head, Department of English, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts And Science, Coimbatore and it has not formed the basis for the award of any Degree / Diploma / Associateship / Fellowship or other similar title to any candidate in any University. Signature of the Candidate Place: Coimbatore Date: (J. SANTHOSH PRIYAA)

4 Acknowledgements I express my sincere gratitude to my guide and supervisor Dr. C. Chandrakasan, Associate Professor and Head, Department of English, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, for his scholarly guidance, constant encouragement, unstinting support and prayers. I am grateful to him for his genuine interest in my work. I thank him for all the helpful discussions and directions during the various stages of writing. I express my gratitude to Dr. G. Gopal, Secretary and Dr. V. Chinnuswamy, Principal, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, for providing me the opportunity to carry out my research in their esteemed institution. I place on record my sincere thanks to Swami Abiramanandaji, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya, Coimbatore, for encouragement and help rendered. I express my gratitude to Dr. (Mrs) R. Nandhini, Secretary and Dr. ( Mrs.) N. Yesodha Devi, Principal, P.S.G.R.Krishnammal College for Women, Coimbatore, for their timely help and encouragement during the study. I place on record my sincere thanks to Dr. R. Padmavathi and Mrs B. Mynavathi, Head, Department of English for their encouragement and help rendered. I wish to place on record my humble and reverential gratitude to Prof. S. Sailanathan, HOD of English (Retd), N.G.M College, Pollachi, who is a spiritual seeker well-versed in Ashtaanga Yoga, and discussions with whom have helped me shape the course of this thesis. I wish to convey my hearty thanks to all the staff members of Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore,

5 My immense gratitude to my husband, Dr.R.Jayaprakash, Associate Professor of Physics, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, , who initiated the spirit of research in me and helped me by all means to accomplish the work fruitfully. I am respectful to my late father, Thiru. K.S. Thirumalaisamy, whose invisible blessings have guided me for the successful completion of this work. I am indebted to my child, Master. J. Jai Mrithun Dhanyass, my family members, my mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law and brothers for their constant encouragement and support throughout the study. There are a number of people without whom I could not have completed this work. I would like to thank my colleagues from the Department of English, P.S.G.R. Krishnammal College for Women, Coimbatore for their generous help and moral support. I am grateful to the Librarian, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, for his help in making the books promptly available whenever I needed them. J. Santhosh Priyaa

6 Abstract Hermann Hesse is a prolific writer of German literature, whose writings have found their firm root in Vedas and Upanishads and in Buddhist and Chinese philosophy. He embraces the ideal of Know Thyself and through his writings he urges mankind to unveil the mystery of the Self. This thesis Journey to Self-Realization in the Select Novels of Hermann Hesse is an attempt to examine the lives of the protagonists choosing various paths to achieve Self- Realization in the four novels Siddhartha, Narcissus and Goldmund, The Journey to the East and The Glass Bead Game. A few of the vital qualities required for Self-Realization have been taken up for discussion. It also explores the themes of simultaneity of time, totality of space, and duality.these are an inherent parts of the journey in consciousness towards Self-Realization. Archetypal approach is applied for the analysis. The inner-voice, beatific smile, gurudisciple relationship, mother figure, journey motif and myth are some of the archetypes found in the novels. These Symbols are effectively used by Hermann Hesse to reveal the secret of Ultimate Reality. The first chapter Introduction deals with the theme of Self- Realization and various methods of yoga practised to attain Self-Realization. It also traces the origin of German literature till the Age of Hermann Hesse. The life and the works of the author as well as the methodology used in the thesis are discussed. The second chapter From Restlessness to Serenity deals with the novel Siddhartha, where the hero, Siddhartha, journeys from a state of restlessness to a state of serenity. The journey takes him through the various phases of life and gives him myriad experiences to attain his goal. The

7 theme of Self-Realization is found through the characters of Buddha, Vasudeva, Siddhartha and Govinda. Inner-voice guides Siddhartha. It sometimes guides him even through dreams. The river symbolizes timelessness, rising above duality and totality. The guru-disciple relationship is a major archetype that sparkles as a chain of gurus from Vasudeva, Siddhartha and Govinda. The myth of crossing the river is demythologized. The legend of Buddha is compared to Siddhartha. The beatific smile of benediction that is the hallmark of a Self-Realized person is discussed. Thus Siddhartha s journey that begins with a restless search for perceiving the Self ends with the serene realization of the Self. The third chapter From Desire to Contentment focuses on the novel Narcissus and Goldmund. Desire is the spur which sets man into action to achieve his goal. Goldmund begins his journey of a wayfarer from a state of burning desire of enjoying sense pleasures and ends in a blissful state of divine contentment. Goldmund is a student of Narcissus, whose character stands in contrast to Goldmund. Narcissus confines himself to the monastery whereas Goldmund freely swims into the world of senses. This chapter also discusses the archetype of guru-disciple relationship represented by Narcissus and Goldmund. Narcissus guides Goldmund and saves him from despair and mental illness. Goldmund s forgotten mother-memory is revived by Narcissus. In fact Narcissus advises him to follow the natural call of his inner-voice, which Goldmund recognizes as his mother s call. It also discusses the various stages of anima undergone by Goldmund. The other dominant archetypes discussed are mother, beatific smile and inner-voice. The theme of rising above duality is often found expression in nature and in the statues carved by Master Niklaus and Goldmund, and in fantasies and dreams of Goldmund. Season also plays a vital role in the novel. Hesse s three stages of man as discussed in his essay A Bit of Theology is

8 compared to the life of Goldmund. Thus Goldmund journeys from desire for erotic life to contentment leading to his realization of Universal Mother. The title of the fourth chapter From Darkness to Light deals with the novel The Journey to the East, in which the central character undertakes a journey in consciousness as determined by the League to which he is committed. Each novitiate of the League or Order has a goal, scaling spiritual heights. The League fulfils the novitiates goal through its guidance. The protagonist of the novel H.H. s goal is to meet Princess Fatima and if possible to win her love. Some of the goals of other members are to catch the snake of Kundalini, to hunt for the treasure of Tao and to attain King Solomon s Key. The members of the League travel through space and time with a velocity of thought. Their mode of transport can be paralleled to a time machine as they frequent the past and present eras. The theme of vertical simultaneity of time, horizontal totality of space and a unity of duality are found. H.H. breaks from the League and rejoins the League in his old age. Through Leo he attains Self-Realization. The various stages of anima, guru-disciple relationship between Leo and H.H. are discussed. Thus H.H., who is found to be groping in the darkness of ignorance in the beginning, journeys towards the East, the symbol of Light and Wisdom, and in due course gets enlightened. The fifth chapter, From Fetters to Freedom discusses the novel The Glass Bead Game, in which Joseph Knecht, the hero, who is fastened to the ideals of Castalia liberates himself from its clutches towards the end for attaining Self-Realization. Knecht excels in music and becomes the master of the Glass Bead Game. He eventually rises to the position of the Magister Ludi at a young age. The Glass Bead Game is a mind game which is developed by one of the members of the League of Journeyers to the East. Knecht begins his journey from a chained existence at

9 Castalia tied to a set of notions, breaks free and attains the freedom of Self-Realization through sacrifice and non-attachment. Guru-disciple archetype that explains the relationship between Music Master and Knecht, Knecht and Tito, Turu and Knecht, and Knecht and young Turu in the story of The Rainmaker, Dion and Josephus in The Father Confessor and Yogi and Dasa in The Indian Life are discussed. Inner voice that guides Knecht is an archetype. The beatific smile of Music Master is an archetypal symbol. Knecht wrote three stories called Lives The Rainmaker, The Father Confessor and The Indian Life. The Glass Bead Game, fish, the dance of Siva are some of the themes discussed. The ritual of rainmaker is also analysed. The sixth chapter Summation sums up the four novels discussed in the previous chapters. It also deals with the important qualities required for the protagonist to achieve the central theme of Self-Realization. Therefore through the novels, Hesse has portrayed the various paths leading to the attainment of Self-Realization.

SEARCH FOR REINTEGRATION OF THE EXCLUDED BLACK AMERICAN IN SELECT WORKS OF RICHARD WRIGHT

SEARCH FOR REINTEGRATION OF THE EXCLUDED BLACK AMERICAN IN SELECT WORKS OF RICHARD WRIGHT M. REGINA DOROTHY M.A., M.Phil., POST GRADUATE AND RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH PERIYAR E.V.R. COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS)