AP Prep 1: Siddhartha

1.Consider Siddhartha’s relationship with Govinda. How are they similar, and how are they different? What are the narrative functions of Govinda’s reappearance throughout the novel? How does their relationship impact the novel’s ending?
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/siddhartha/study.html

1.Govinda is mentioned once in the passage we read. Siddhartha remarks on how he "had become a monk and thousands of monks were his brothers, wore the same gown, shared his beliefs and spoke his language." It is like Govinda has settled into his place at the world, and has many who respect him and what he does. Siddhartha on the other hand is lost and does not have a permanent home. Other than this, we don't see much on their relationship. We'd have to read more to figure that out.




2.What does enlightenment look like in Siddhartha? Is it a feeling? An attitude?
http://www.shmoop.com/siddhartha/questions.html


In the passage we read, Siddhartha is traveling along a road, realizing that he is not the same person he was before. This whole epiphany seems to be more than just a feeling or an attitude. It's almost a physical thing, so strong and powerful that it causes Siddhartha to change his agenda completely. In fact, it's actually causing new attitudes and feelings in himself.


3. What purpose does self-denial serve in Siddhartha? What about self-indulgence? http://www.shmoop.com/siddhartha/questions.html


Self-denial seems to serve as an antagonist against finding oneself in the novel. It is neither a feeling nor attitude but a character itself. Siddhartha is in search of himself. He wants to be awakened and once he is he is not simply at ease. He is uncertain of his surroundings and feels a bit lost but that doesn't mean he isn't in a position in which he doesn't want to be.

 4. http://chs.mesa.k12.co.us/departments/Language%20Arts/thomas/sid_essay_topics.html

Choose a character other than Siddhartha and discuss how the character supports the theme of Hesse's novel.

Any major character can be chosen for this question excluding Siddhartha of course as has been clearly stated in the question. Some may still make the mistake of choosing Siddhartha as their topic. For this question one must have a broad knowledge of the major characters and the possible themes that can serves as links to such. Characters must be connected to theme and reasons for the linkage must be explained.

5. http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/Siddhartha.pdf

How does the book Siddhartha illustrate the major tenets of Indian thought and belief?

This question may be given a stronger response if outside information is provided. General knowledge about Indian thought and belief must be known to answer the question in the first place but going the extra mile and adding additional information about the Indian culture to answer the question can be helpful. One must also understand the Siddhartha character in order to discuss the way in which it illustrates Indian thought and belief.