Jean C. Rodrguez Guzmn 3/4/2015Guy S. Garca Pomales SiddharthaThe Brahmin's SonThe novel begins with a brief glance at Siddhartha's Brahmin family background, his upbringing, and the innocence and tranquility of his childhood. Later, as we meet Govinda, Siddhartha's boyhood friend, they are very close intellectually and fraternally. In spite of the admiration and adoration which Siddhartha receives from his family and friends, his soul feels uncompleted. Unable to find inner peace, Siddhartha initiates his search for Atman. He knows that Atman, the individual spirit or Self, is within him and is inclined toward Brahman, and he strives to find his own way to experience Atman. Siddhartha is troubled by the fact that nobody, not the wisest teachers, or his father, or the holy songs, can lead him to the discovery of Self. Teachers and scripture have yielded only second-hand learning, wich doesnt contain the experience from which knowledge comes from. Siddhartha suggests that his father, like himself, must not he actually experiencing Atman, for he continually performs ablutions to absolve himself of spiritual impurity and guilt. Siddhartha breaks the news to Govinda that he has decided to free himself from his predetermined Hindu caste and plans to leave his father to join the Samanas. After standing on his feet all night in defiant endurance and upon receiving reluctant consent from his father, Siddhartha leaves home at daybreak. The father alludes to his own spiritual disquietude as Siddhartha departs, and he asks his son to teach bliss to him should he find it in the forest among the Samanas. Govinda's shadow then appears and he joins Siddhartha.

ThemesA) The Search for Spiritual Enlightenment.B) Inner vs. External Guidence.CharactersA) Siddhartha - The novels protagonist. Siddhartha sets out on a quest for enlightenment and tests the religious philosophies he discovers. Siddharthas most defining characteristic is his desire for a transcendent, spiritual understanding of himself and the world. Outside forces do not easily sway Siddhartha, and he follows his heart. Siddhartha has a son, who is also named Siddhartha.B) Govinda - Siddharthas best friend and sometimes his follower. Like Siddhartha, Govinda devotes his life to the quest for understanding and enlightenment. He leaves his village with Siddhartha to join the Samanas, then leaves the Samanas to follow Gotama. In the end, he is able to achieve enlightenment only because of Siddharthas love for him.C) Siddharthas Father - A respected Brahmin in Siddharthas boyhood community. Siddharthas father familiarizes Siddhartha with many basic religious teachings, but he is unable to provide Siddhartha with the answers he needs, which leads to Siddharthas quest for enlightenment through other religious traditions. When the Samanas arrive to tempt Siddhartha away, Siddharthas father initially resists but eventually lets him go.D) The Samanas - A group of traveling ascetics who believe that a life of deprivation and wandering is the path to self-actualization.