A motif is a recurring image, symbol, or idea in a work of literature. A motif in Siddhartha is enlightment. Elightment is constant happiness. Siddhartha is not satisfied when he left home.“You will go into the forest, and become a samana (12).” Siddhartha’s father said this to him when he asked if he could leave home a become a samana to find enlighment. Also he will try to find enlightment when he decides not to go with the Buddhas and leaves Govinda. “You have heard my blessing, Govinda, I repeat it. May you follow this path to the end. May you find salvation(30)!” Siddhartha leaves because he believes that he won’t find enlighment if he follows the Buddhas. "He rose, said farwell to the mango shower and the pleasure garden... He smiled wearily, shook his head and said goodbye to these things(84)." Siddhartha once again left because he is not satisified and knows he will not find enlightment. Enlightment is a motif in Siddhartha because Siddhartha is trying to find enlightment and is not getting it.
-Mark Guiterrez
You chose a good motif from the novel and elaborated on it. Do you think that Siddartha is doing this for enlightenment, though, or self satisfaction. Because if he was truly doing it for enlightenment, why would he spend so much time at the river? Would he not try and move on with his life more quickly?
ReplyDeleteI like how you explained what a motif is at the beginning. Also good job finding a motif that relates to the story as a whole, not just a narrow part.
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