Siddhartha Review (Exam Prep!) Game
Siddhartha Review Game Get into a group of 6-7 people. No more than 7 people per group! Wait until I am done asking the question before answering If your group has an answer, please raise up your group number. The first group to raise their number sheet will be called upon. Answer correctly, you score a point. Answer incorrectly, you lose a point The group that has the most points at the end will earn extra credit towards tomorrow s exam.
What is a Brahmin?
A Brahmin is of the highest Hindu caste. Participates in prayer, meditation, and studying/teaching Hindu texts, such as the Upanishads.
Gotama is also referred to as?
The Illustrious One The Buddha
At their first encounter, what does the Ferryman predict Siddhartha will do when he comes back to the river?
He predicts Siddhartha will bring him a gift
What is the setting of Siddhartha?
Ancient India, 5th-6th Century BC
Define transitory. What does Siddhartha describe as being transitory?
Temporary. He describes himself as being transitory. He is always changing.
What is the simile used in describing Kamala s lips?
...like a freshly cut fig.
Part One of the novel is believed to reflect which of Buddha s teachings?
The Four Noble Truths
Part Two of the novel is believed to reflect which of Buddha s teachings?
The Noble Eightfold Path
What is Kamala s profession? What is the significance in her name?
Courtesan. Her name is in reference to the Hindu god of love.
Bonus: Name the five castes in Hinduism
1. The Brahman, 2. The Nobility, 3. The Merchants, 4. The Servants, 5. The Untouchables
In exchange for a kiss, what does Siddhartha give Kamala?
A poem
The songbird in the golden cage symbolizes what?
Siddhartha s soul trapped by a life of materialism.
Why does Siddhartha reject the first woman he meets after leaving Gotama?
His inner-voice tells him to move on.
What is Om
Om signifies unity of all things; Om is perfection. Om helps Siddhartha to realize everything exists at once.
What is Samsara?
Samsara is the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Siddhartha compares his monotonous and materialistic lifestyle to this.
Why does Govinda choose to leave his Brahman life and follow Siddhartha?
Govinda has always wanted to follow him. He loves everything about Siddhartha: his intellect, his eyes, his voice, his strong will... He believes that one day Siddhartha will become like a god.
Who are the Samanas? What do they believe in?
Wandering ascetics, worn out men, nearly naked. They believe in practicing extreme self-denial.
How did Siddhartha convince his father to let him leave? Why didn t Siddhartha just leave?
Siddhartha stood still in place until his father saw his son s fierce determination and gave in. Siddhartha is an obedient son who respects his father.
Why does Kamaswami hire Siddhartha?
He can read and write.
How does Siddhartha plan to reach enlightenment through the Samanas?
His goal is to become completely empty; empty of dreams, desires, pleasure, and thirst for anything.
Give two examples of irony in the novel
- Siddhartha & his father / Siddhartha & his son - Siddhartha becomes addicted to gambling despite his contempt for riches - Siddhartha always leaves everyone, but now he is the one who has been left (by his son) - Just as Gotama tried long ago, Siddhartha offers his insight to Govinda, even though wisdom and enlightenment must be experienced, not verbalized.
What has Gotama robbed from Siddhartha? What has he given to Siddhartha?
Gotama robbed him of his best friend, Govinda, but gave Siddhartha himself.
What strange dream does Siddhartha have about Govinda? What is the significance?
He dreams Govinda is a woman. The dream foreshadows Siddhartha s entrance to the world of physical desire.
How does the eldest Samana react to Siddhartha s wanting to leave? What does Siddhartha do?
He is angry with Siddhartha. In return, Siddhartha hypnotizes the Samana.
How do Siddhartha and Govinda recognize Gotama?
He emits complete peacefulness. His physical presence shows he no longer seeks anything.
What does Kamala require of Siddhartha before accepting him?
She requires he cut his hair, bathe, and buy new clothes. She also requires him to be hired and accepted by Kamaswami as his equal.
What three things does Siddhartha tell Kamaswami he can do?
Think, wait, and fast.
What saves Siddhartha from drowning himself in the river?
Om
What is the last thing young Siddhartha does to spite his father?
He breaks the oar to the boat before running away.
Why does Siddhartha envy ordinary people?
They are able to love and they live with a sense of importance. After losing his son, he envies the ordinary people who are able to have their children in their lives.
Bonus: Give three facts about the author of Siddhartha, Hermann Hesse
- Born in Germany in 1877 - Parents and grandparents were missionaries - Troubles youth - He was very interested in Eastern religions and cultures - Traveled to many places, including India - Published Siddhartha in 1922
According to Siddhartha, where does knowledge come from? Where does wisdom come from?
Knowledge comes from teachers. Wisdom comes from experience.
How does Kamala die? Where was she going when she died?
Kamala is bit by a snake. She was on her way to see the dying Gotama.
One of the secrets the ferryman has learned from the river is that all things eventually.
Return
Which four characters have reached enlightenment by the end of the novel?
Gotama, Vasudeva, Siddhartha, Govinda
How does Siddhartha feel about Govinda s choice to stay and follow Gotama?
He is happy for his friend because he has finally made his own choice to follow.
Why does Siddhartha ask Govinda to kiss his forehead?
So he can show, rather than tell, his friend what enlightenment is.
Explain what Siddhartha means by time is not real. Why does he use the stone as an example to support this idea?
If time is not real, then the line between this world and eternity is also not real. Siddhartha uses the example of a stone and suggests that because it is but one part of the whole cycle of life and thereby has transmigratory potential; it is consequently not just a stone but at once God and Buddha. We come back to the idea that all things return that the stone has been all else and we again become all else.
After his first awakening, why does Siddhartha claim he cannot go back to his Brahman father?
He has renounced his past life completely. He must leave behind everything of his past and focus on moving forward.
How does the change in writing style reflect Siddhartha s first awakening? Why is he childlike
The writing vividly expresses the sensory details of the world, as Siddhartha is transitioning from a spiritual journey to one that is physical. It is as if he is seeing the world for the first time, like a child.
Why can t the ferryman teach Siddhartha?
The ferryman claims he is not a teacher. He cannot teach because the river has taught him all he has learned.
What is the significance of Kamaswami s name?
Kamaswami means master of the material world.
Why does Vasudeva leave Siddhartha in the end?
Siddhartha has reached enlightenment. Vasudeva is satisfied and it is now Siddhartha s turn to become the ferryman.