In Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1164 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2019/07/31 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Siddhartha Essay Did you like this example? If there is meaning in life at all, then there must be meaning in suffering. (Frankl). Life consists of happiness and sadness, success and failure, good fortune and tragedy, all of which contributes to understanding the meaning of life. Often difficulties in life are the most enlightening and illuminating experiences of self-discovery. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "In Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse" essay for you Create order Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, a Swiss-American psychiatrist, developed a theory that illustrates the human response to the difficulty of loss. Known as the Kubler-Ross Model, people who deal with grief go through a cycle of stages that fall into five groups. According to Kubler-Ross, the five stages of grief are categorized as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. In Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, the stages of grief depict Siddharthas journey towards enlightenment as evident by Siddhartha experiencing times of denial of self and possessions, moments of depression and despair, and ultimately achieving acceptance. Denial, the first stage of grief, is visible throughout Siddharthas journey as seen by the rejection of self and possessions. Siddhartha decides to leave the comforts of home to follow the Samanas. Siddhartha asks his father, With your permission, my father. I have come to tell you that it is my wish to leave your house tomorrow and join the ascetics. I must become a Samana. (Hesse 9). For Siddhartha asks for his fathers blessing to leave his house, to study a different path, and to live a more austere life. By requesting to follow the Samanas, Siddhartha is denying his fathers wishes and in a sense rejecting his religious upbringing. Furthermore, when Siddhartha and Govinda start their journey with the Samanas, they give away their clothes and participate in fasting. The narrator states, Siddhartha saw a single goal: to become empty, empty of thirst, empty of want, empty of dream, empty of joy and sorrow. (Hesse 13). To live a life as a Samana, Siddhartha and Govinda must seek spirituality through denial of possessions and emotions. Siddhartha deprives himself not only of luxuries in life but of all necessities, only consuming the bare minimum to survive. Moreover, Siddhartha the merchant lives a comfortable life in the city with Kamala but leaves it all behind as the narrator explains, The very same hour that night, Siddhartha left his garden, left the city, and never returned. (Hesse 72). Even though Siddhartha has access to food and conveniences, he realizes his life is still empty and his spirit is hungry. Siddhartha leaves behind his wealth, and like his past teachers, leaves Kamala too, denying yet again another path towards self-discovery. Denial is a key component throughout Siddharthas Journey as he rejects teachings, possessions, and sustenance. Furthermore, Siddhartha experiences another stage of grief as he encounters occasions of depression and despair during his journey. As a new member of the Samanas, Siddhartha travels through a town observing citizens going about their daily business and thinks to himself, Â ¦all gave the illusion of meaning and happiness and beauty, and all of it was just putrefaction that no one would admit to. Bitter was the taste of the world. Life was a torment. (Hesse 12-13). Siddharthas depression manifests itself as hostility towards the towns people and shows his distaste for their ordinary lives. He believes their happiness and beauty is not reality, but it is a fantasy that will eventually rot. Moreover, after Govindas second departing, Siddhartha realizes his life is losing meaning as the narrator states, He noticed only that the bright and certain inner voice that once had awoken within him and accompanied him unceasingly in his days of glory had fallen silent. The world had captured him (Hesse 67). Siddharthas life revolves around money and gambling that suffocates his spiritual life. He no longer can hear his inner voice as the material world consumes him and has lost his attachment to life. Additionally, Siddharthas life is in a destructive cycle as the narrator observes, Â ¦fled further, seeking to escape in more gambling, seeking to numb himself with sensuality and wine, and then hurled himself back into the grind of hoarding and acquisition. (Hesse 68). Siddhartha is a successful merchant who gambles away his money to show his defiance for wealth. Siddharthas addiction to playing dice is a toxic cycle that wears him down both physically and spiritually. Lastly, in a moment of despair after leaving his life with Kamala, alone and down by the rivers edge Siddhartha, Â ¦he released his arm from around the tree trunk and rotated his body a little so as to let himself fall vertically, sink at last into the depths. With closed eyes, he sank toward death. (Hesse 74). Hopelessness overcame Siddhartha and he thought the only way to find peace is to die. As he prepared to drown himself, he totally lets go of his life. Similar to Kubler-Ross stages of depression, Siddhartha, experiences despair and hopelessness. Finally, the most important reason the stages of grief are applicable to Siddharthas journey is his achievement of acceptance. Down by the river Siddhartha awakens from a deep sleep after he speaks the word Om, for the first time he has a new awareness about life. Siddhartha reminiscing about his past thinks to himself, I had to experience despair, I had to sink to the most foolish of all thoughts, the thought of suicide, to be able to experience grace, to hear Om again, to be able to sleep well and awaken well. (Hesse 81). Siddhartha realizes the difficulties and suffering he went through are necessary to achieve a greater understanding of life. Siddhartha comes to the conclusion in order for him to experience grace and Om he must also have experience the lesser side of foolishness and suicide. In addition, Siddhartha masters the art of listening. The narrator says, And when Siddhartha listened attentively to his river, to this thousand-voiced songheard all of them, heard the whole, the oneness-then the great song of the thousand voices consisted only of a single word: Om, perfection. (Hesse 114). At this moment Siddhartha enlightenment. All the voices join together as one and Siddhartha encounters oneness with the world. Consequently, Siddhartha shares with Govinda what he learns from his enlightenment. Siddhartha says, I am saying what I have found. One can pass on knowledge but not wisdom. One can find wisdom, one can live it, one can be supported by it, one can work wonders with it, but one cannot speak it or teach it. (Hesse 119). Siddhartha figures out that inner wisdom cannot be learned or studied. In fact, following other teachings or studying can get in the way of obtaining wisdom. comes from ones experiences rather than being passed on as knowledge. Siddhartha has always had wisdom but ultimately found that he must create his own path and look within to obtain enlightenment. The final stage of the Kubler-Ross model, acceptance is evident in Siddharthas journey as he found a new awareness, thus a new life. Conclusion Restate Thesis: The process of Siddharthas journey toward enlightenment mirrors Elizabeth Kubler-Ross cycle of grief, specifically the stages of denial, depression, and acceptance.

The Effects Of Interpersonal Communication On Our Lives

Interpersonal Communication in our Lives Our lives are filled with communication and its various forms. It allows us to be interactive with others, share in experiences, and to have relationships with others. A world with out communication would be a dull grey place. There wouldn’t be laughter as we exchange funny stories about the weekend adventures, you wouldn’t have someone there to talk to through difficult times, and if you never took a risk in communicating with someone new your world would remain the same everyday. However, it can also be a complex thing and cause unintentional problems. The way we perceive a message from someone can possible be the difference between night and day if taken the wrong way. A nonverbal message can be very trivial if the relationship between the two people is not well established. The way we communicate with the people in our lives can be very different depending on the person and the relationship between the two. Paul and Claire h ave various ways of communicating with each other. They do this through loving actions of hugs and kisses, nonverbally, and also secretly. Paul and Claire connect so well together that now they can merely express how they are feeling through a look at each other or even an action like when Claire rubs her tongue over her bottom lip Paul knows that she is about to get really mad. However, their relationship also isn’t perfect because no ones ever is. They also have secrets in their relationship. TheyShow MoreRelatedThe Importance of Non-Verbal Communication929 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction Non-verbal communication has been a major factor contributing towards our day to day lives. In terms of design and workplace as well as cultural variations non-verbal communication plays an important role in these places. 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This article will benefit my research and allow me to recognize the positives social communication can make on individual’sRead MoreHow Social Media Affects Our Lives1158 Words   |  5 Pages This simple form of online communication has affected everyone ´s relationships for the better. Which raises the question: how does a simple post unite people? Can online relationships turn into strong interpersonal ones? Social media is a beneficial asset to our lives that strengthens our interpersonal relationships through online communication, motivates us to make online relationships real, and creates a consciousness of a connection to build/maintain interpersonal relationships. Among thingsRead MoreUnit 1 - D1 ‚Äà ¬ Evaluate Interpersonal and Written Communication Techniques. Introduction.1104 Words   |  5 PagesD1 – Evaluate interpersonal and written communication techniques. Introduction The most important thing when presenting is your interpersonal skills. 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It Was Not My Fault free essay sample

As stated, those who judge victims of rape based on appearance are naive, but it is not because they are incompetent. It is because, in most cases, they are not truly educated as to what rape is. Rape is defined as â€Å"any act of sexual intercourse that is forced upon a person. † (Dictionary. com) The word â€Å"any† is present in the definition because the second someone says â€Å"no† to any way in which someone comes onto them, and the someone pursues, the incident is now grounds to be called rape. Because the word â€Å"force† is in the definition, it is implied that the attacker must overpower the victim. Rape is about power; not love, not sexual desire, and certainly not the victim’s appearance. The myth that â€Å"women provoke sexual assault by their appearance,† (Roger Williams University) is false. In reality, â€Å"[rapists] select victims who are vulnerable and accessible. † (Roger Williams University) Rape is about the attacker feeling dominant over another being. We will write a custom essay sample on It Was Not My Fault or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Many believe that â€Å"rape is caused by lust or uncontrollable sexual urges and the need for sexual gratification,† (Roger Williams University) but as stated previously, rape is an act of physical violence. The attacker is not looking for sexual gratification. Another common misconception of rape is that women will claim to be raped for attention or pity. The unfortunate part of this myth is that â€Å"88 percent of these women [who are raped] are between the ages of 12 [and] 28. † (Dickson) This is a misfortune on these young ladies’ parts because the years between 12 and 28 are the years with which great amounts of peer pressure are put on females. These are the years where young ladies are searching for an identity, and this is where people assume that they are â€Å"attention seeking. In truth, studies show that â€Å"false reports make up 2% or less of the reported cases of sexual assault,† (Roger Williams University) and â€Å"only 1 out of 10 rapes are actually reported. † (Roger Williams University) It is apparent through these studies that most cases of sexual assault and rape are not false, and that when someone cries out for help in a rape case, i t should be dealt with very seriously. Another fact that must be put into consideration is that rape is not always committed by a stranger. In a recent study done by the Roger Williams University, it was found that â€Å"84% of women who are raped know their assailants; 57% were on dates. † This shows that, while women still need to be cautious of the people around them who they are unfamiliar with, they need to be even more cautious with the ones they know more personally. Further still, women need to be cautious on their first date with a new man, for they may never know what his true intentions are. A common myth associated with women and being raped is that â€Å"if a woman really did not want to be raped, she could fight off her attacker. (Roger Williams University) This is not, however, true. â€Å"The elements of surprise, shock, and fear of harm can overpower a survivor,† reports the Roger Williams Academy. True, there are precautionary measures that can be taken to avoid any chance of being rape, but one can never be too sure. According to Mary Dickson, one in four women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime, with almost a half million rapes occurring in the United States each year. Women should never walk in strange places alone, they should never leave a drink unattended, and they should always be prepared, as far as self-defense goes, to ward off any attacker. However, even with all of these precautionary measures taken, anything can happen. A woman must be ready at all times. An interesting thing to see on the issue of rape is the differing viewpoints of men and women. In a study done by Muehlenhard on sexual predators and their victims, â€Å"60% of men reported that the woman had hinted she was interested in dating him; only 16% of the women said they had so hinted. † This goes to show that, sometimes, a man believes that it is actually acceptable to sexually assault or rape a woman because he believes that she wanted it! In a study done at a California high school, â€Å"54% of the boys there believed that rape was justifiable if they thought that the woman was being a tease. † (Warshaw) Another difference between men and women is that â€Å"many times men will feel led on while women will not have the slightest clue that their actions are being interpreted as sexual. † (Warshaw) It is, in truth, a terrifying reality for women to have to live worried about how they present themselves to the world for fear of being assaulted or raped. However, women not only have to worry about being sexually assaulted, but they also have to worry about being verbally harassed by the public for their appearance. Victim-blaming has become a very popular, very wrong way of explaining why women are raped. The victim is never to blame in a case of rape. Victims do not ask to be raped. They do not want to be raped. It is an act forced upon them against their will. Still, however, society chooses to take the easy way out to point the finger at someone. One man, Michael Sanguinetti, went as far as telling his students â€Å"that to prevent sexual assaults, they should ‘avoid dressing like sluts. ’† (Friedlander) This is appalling to hear of. Although Sanguinetti formally apologized for his actions later on, a group of people banded together â€Å"to make it very clear that sexual assault can happen to anyone at anytime, no matter how you dress or act. And, that it is never the victim’s fault. † (Bumgardner) And thus, SlutWalk was born. SlutWalk is â€Å"an international movement focused on ‘eradicat[ing] victim-blaming from conversations about sexual assault. † (Friedlander) SlutWalk is a new movement that was first aroused in January 2011 after the issue with Sanguinetti. On April 3, 2011, in Toronto, Canada, the first SlutWalk was held with about 3,000 people who joined in to â€Å"shift the paradigm  of mainstream rape culture, which they believe focuses on analyzing the behavior of the victim rather than that of the perpetrator. † (Friedlander) Since the first SlutWalk, the movement has spread to many different countries and American states including â€Å"Chicago, Berlin, Cape Town, New Delhi, Mexico City, [and] New York City. (Friedlander) With organizations such as SlutWalk beginning to show up on international levels, it will be amazing to see the world’s perspective on victim-blaming make a complete turnaround. This will only happen, though, if society will realize that rape has nothing to do with appearance, attractiveness, or sexual appeal. Rape will never be a justifiable action. One does not rape a woman because she is sexually appealing, nor does one rape because she led him on. Rape is centered at a need for power, a need to feel strong and dominate. The sooner people will realize this, the sooner they will be able to rid the world of this evil.

Soundshow free essay sample

Im dressed edgier than usual; this is actually what I wish I could wear every day. My black shirt features chains for straps and a gleaming silver jaguar. Fishnet tights show below long shorts. No school polos, no pressure to look professional or intelligent or pretty. Everyone here dresses comparably. This is my crowd. The theater is cramped, but everyone can move about a foot in all directions. Luckily, though, not for long. I prefer personal space, generally, but not tonight. Its best if we become one. I enjoy the sense of community, the intricate reasons we find ourselves here together. Maybe simple as the city we call home. Maybe more complex. Maybe were twin souls. Maybe were searching in the same ways for the same truths. I like those metaphysical yearnings. Plato and Kant. Forms and categorical imperative. Truths that cause what we see as reflections, and reasons why people respond justly and why they should. We will write a custom essay sample on Soundshow or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Makes sense. Im not much for mundane reality, but where forms exist, Id guess its kind of like a concert, and I want to be there. Despite doing well in philosophy class, I want it raw. Im up close. Were standing expectantly, some waiting like caged, feral beasts to attempt better positions. Rows press forward one by one, and everyones flattened, like it or not. We wish we didnt have cumbersome sets of arms, that we were bigger and taller, that everyone wasnt tipping over diagonally, that our rib cages werent being compressed so we can barely gasp the wet air. We are surrounded, and it only gets better. In this semi-dangerous environment, we rely on each other. Put simply, we make friends. We genuinely look out for one another. We share a caught water bottle with those parched and deserving around us, find anchors and elusive armrests and people we have everything in common with. We might be acquaintances just for this night, or we might meet again by chance or fate. When the frenzy starts, and we go wild and writhe and move and scream beautiful words unintelligibly until our voices break, magic is tangible. We are bombarded: the rhythm overriding our heartbeats and each other. For as with friends we make enemies, fighting viciously to squeeze just a little bit closer. Knees meet heads; we dont question why or how. We are rude and unashamed. We depart completely soaked in the perspiration of the five closest people. We all, blissfully worn, have stars in our eyes. The collective existence we gave life to has dissipated. It is an experience not to be missed or forgotten. Our emotions are high, our dreams much closer, just beyond our outstretched fingertips of moments ago. This is the power of music. A language everyone understands, words aside. I love them, words, but I dont need them for this. Theyre not enough. What is? The sound, and I love being carried away when I listen, eyes closed.