Siddhartha
Respond in writing to the following question. If you are the first person to respond, that is all you must do. All subsequent posters must respond to the question AND comment on the post of one other student.
Analyze the meeting of Siddhartha and Govinda beginning on page 90. What does it say about their relationship, their characters, and changes they have made throughout the novel? Has Govinda's role in the relationship changed?
blah blah
ReplyDeleteWhen Govinda and Siddhartha meet it takes awhile for Govinda to figure out who Siddartha is. Its been over twenty years and now they are both on different paths then they were when they were kids. Govinda always follwed Siddartha around and just when you thing he can't be an individual he goes and learns from Buddha. Govinda may have been staying with Siddartha because he thought Siddartha needed him. Before they split up in the beggining of the book you notice that they are slowly growing apart. Govinda wants to learn from Buddha and Siddartha isn't sure. At the meeting later in the book you see many things have changed. Govinda is more at peace with himself while it seems Siddartha is still searching for his self. Govinda becomes someone Siddartha can learn from and look up to instead of being a equal. This meeting helps you understand how much time has passesd and how Siddartha is going backward in his quest instead of moving forward.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said about Govinda looks like he is seems to be going in the right direction compared to Siddhartha, and while I still agree with that I also find that it is sort of hard to know were Govinda really is in his life towards Enlightenment. All we know is that he has stayed with Gottama all these years. I do not feel I can say wheather Govinda is closer to Enlightenment then Siddhartha because of this. I also agree that the two old friends are on different paths.
DeleteI think Govinda is closer to his own Enlightenment. I think each person has a different kind of inner peach and Govinda has found his while Siddartha has not. I think both of these characters are trying to find "self" and Govinda has found himself with the Buddha while Siddartha, no matter how many different types of lives he tries, nothing can quite satisfy him.
DeleteWhen Siddhartha woke up he immediately knew that it was Govinda that sat next to him. Siddhartha saw the young Govinda because he was still on the path of Enlightenment. Govinda on the other hand did not recognize Siddhartha because of the nice clothes, shoes, and the body of plentiful food. Siddhartha’s path changed to drastically. They can no longer be friends now until Siddhartha has found Enlightenment because their paths are to far apart. They would not be able to understand what the other one was going through.
ReplyDeleteGovinda’s role has changed because he is no longer a follower. Like he says in the book, he has to overtake his brothers. Siddhartha is now the one that can learn something from Govinda.
Jess,
DeleteI find it interesting that you thought about how Govinda is no longer a follower, and because of it, Siddhartha can now learn more from him. It almost seems like you are saying that Govinda is "untouchable" because he has found enlightenment. It is true that Siddhartha is unhappy and still hasn't found enlightenment, but what does Govinda truly have to teach him, if he already rejected Gotama in the beginning. Are you implying that Siddhartha may come back to Gotama and become a follower at the end of the book?
I agree with you Jess. I like the part that you said Siddhartha has to learn from Govinda now because it is so true. Siddhartha has no idea where he is going next in this point of the book and might need the help of his old frined, but like you said his friend will be gone. Just the fact that Siddhartha had changed so much that Govinda didn't recognize his old friend is pretty strong. It is also interesting how you said their two paths can't cross again until Siddhartha finds enlightenment because they are too opposite.
DeleteOooh Girl I love this, I totally get that Govinda has "overtaken his brothers" and is now a leader, and I love that you pointed that out, hadn't thought about it that way. I also love that you mentioned their clothes, do you think that maybe Siddhartha was jealous of Govinda?
DeleteThe dialogue between Siddhartha and Govinda in the book showed that the relationship had not changed since when they used to be friends. From the beginning, it was always Govinda asking the questions and Siddhartha going on and on, explaining himself and flaunting his knowledge about life. Still, when they meet again, Govinda asks how Siddhartha can be going on a pilgrimage in such nice, wealthy clothes and Siddhartha has to use his power of words to convince Govinda of his doings. Although Govinda seems fulfilled with his life as a Monk, Siddhartha still feels that he is superior. This is strange because Govinda has got it all figured out. Siddhartha, on the other hand, is sitting there on the ground sleeping, back to square one. Siddhartha looks as though he has aged a lot more than Govinda. This proves that Govinda’s path to finding self was a lot easier then Siddhartha’s. It’s surprising that Govinda says nothing about how it looks as if his old friend hasn’t made any progress towards his goals, but maybe he knows that Siddhartha will never be tied to one place. He can never be satisfied with anything. This relationship seems like it has not ended between the two characters, and perhaps they will meet again later.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even think about the fact that Govinda didn't mention his path. I agree though. I feel like they have unfinished business and wil meet again. Maybe this time the Buddah will be there too or maybe Siddhartha will just die and never find self. The paths taken by the two were very different but both have an impact when it comes to the reunion.
DeleteSiddhartha and Govinda have changed throughout the novel. Siddhartha started out as the leader. He decided their path and beliefs. Govinda was the follower in the background. He followed Siddharthas every move. Later in the story Govinda took his own path and left Siddhartha by himself. Govinda became enlightened while Siddhartha became a hopless gambler. Siddhartha lost himself and his beliefs. When Siddhartha reunited with Govinda the roles where changed. Govinda knew his path and was a role model for Siddhartha. Siddhartha on the other hand was lost. He did not become a follower of Govinda but became a believer. He saw the way his friend was happy and at ease with his life and knew he had to continue on his path towards self. The two characters have changed drastically throughout the story but a little part of their old curious friendship remains. Without their past the mission of self would not have been possible.
ReplyDeleteSydney,
DeleteGovinda and Siddhartha weren’t going to live their lives to their fullest potential if they had not left each other. It makes sense that Govinda ends up being the one who is looking after Siddhartha when he is sleeping. It is definitely not a coincidence. The reunion of the friends also proves that they are both content with their lives. Were you surprised in the beginning when Govinda left Siddhartha’s side? He felt he had to follow the Buddha and Siddhartha did not. This was the first time Govinda made his own choice for himself. Think about how different Siddhartha’s journey might have been if he Govinda had not of left.
The meeting of Siddhartha and Govinda after being apart for so long is much different than the book began. It appears that Govinda has finally found himself and what he stands for, and has lived a content and full life. In contrast, Siddhartha has wandered around, wasting his life, trying to find self. When Govinda watches over Siddhartha, it shows his character throughout the entire book. Although the reader thinks that Govinda is just a follower, someone to copy Siddhartha, this meeting appears to portray Govinda as the stronger of the two. It shows that not Govinda, but Siddhartha needed to be watched over. This meeting really shows the contrast between Govinda and Siddhartha, including the way that each of them used the time apart. Govinda used his life for other people, trying to further Gotama’s disciples, but Siddhartha continued to be selfish and think about what he wanted, not even thinking about what others thought and felt, including Kamala and the merchant. It shows how Govinda has truly captured what he was searching for, while Siddhartha is still as lost as ever.
ReplyDeleteI had never thought about how Govinda has watched over Siddhartha. Until this point I had always thought of Govinda as a pathetic follower who will not do anything for himself. After reading your post, I now see the meaning behind the paths these two made. Govinda is being selfless by helping others, and Siddhartha is the selfish one. Do you think we would be able to see these ulterior motives if they had never split?
DeleteSiddhartha and Govinda's relationship changes profoundly of the course of this book. Originally, Siddhartha is in charge. He is the one that everyone looks up to, and Govinda follows him like a lost puppy dog. It seems that Govinda will never get anything done in his life unless it is brought about by Siddhartha. When Govinda's decision to follow Gotoma seperates the two, it seems as if Siddhartha has abandoned him, but that is not the case. While Siddhartha chases enlightenment through many different paths, Govinda finds enlightenment through Gotoma. When the two meet again, Sidddhartha is the most lost he has ever been. Meanwhile, Govinda has found his meaning in life through the teachings of Gotoma. The two roles are suddenly reversed. Now, Govinda knows his purpose and has a plan, while Siddhartha is at his lowest point yet. Siddhartha needs someone to follow and Govinda could be that person. Whichever path Siddhartha decides to take, two things are clear: Govinda has found what he was looking for, and Siddhartha is running farther away with every step he takes.
ReplyDeleteGovinda and Siddhartha's relationship had changed greatly. When they first met each other again in the woods Govindas character was the same. He was looking out for "the man" like he used to look out for Siddhartha. It took him a while to realize that "the man" was actually Siddhartha. Siddharthas character was questionable because he never knows what he wants and each chapter the way he acts varies. It was easy to tell that their relationship had grown apart and that they actually switched roles. Govinda was leading people in his brotherhood and Siddhartha was just the lonely follower. Govinda seemed like he had his head on straight, knew what he wanted, and where he would be the rest of his life but Siddhartha was still on a path of changing all the time.
ReplyDeleteSiddhartha is seeing past the physical world, he recognizes Govinda, unlike Govinda who does not recognize Siddhatha due to his extravagant garb and hair. Govinda is surprised to meet a pilgrim in such clothes and more surprised that it would be Sidddhartha. As Govinda watches Siddhartha asleep, it reminds the reader of Govinda's protective and loyal qualities; Govinda has always watched over Siddhartha even though now he does not need it, because Siddhartha has lost his arrogance.
ReplyDeleteThe meeting of Siddartha and Govinda shows how different Govinda has become and how Siddartha is still one is the same. Govinda has changed, grown, realized new things, and know some old things no longer matter while Siddartha is still the same person that he ways 20 years ago. He still remembers much of his past and that is why he recognizes Govinda so fast, while Govinda does not recognized Siddartha right away because he is looking to the future and living in the moment, while Siddartha is always looking back on the past or trying to decide his new future.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this. Siddhartha has changed a lot in the past years, but he is back to where he started, with similar opinions, and he is the same person he was years ago. Govinda is not the same anymore, because he has learned new things from the monks, but i think that Govinda hasn't achieved enlightenment yet, and so he is still kind of the same person, but different because of the different knowledge that he has.
DeleteI think that the meeting of Siddhartha and Govinda shows that they have both changed as people, yet they are still the same. Govinda appears in this excerpt to have found inner peace and Self, however we learn later in the book that this is just a facade, and Govinda really is not at peace. Siddhartha helps him to reach it. Siddhartha, on the other hand, does not pretend anything. He is back in square one, but he does not pretend to have found what he is looking for, emphasized by the mismatching of his clothes and body with his surroundings. I think that their roles have changed, because now Siddhartha has no one, he is not a leader nor a follower, and Govinda is now leading the monks. However, Govinda is leading them blindly, in my opinion, because he is supposed to be helping them find peace and Self, and he has not even found it himself. I think that Siddhartha is finally realizing that he cannot control his fate, and if he wants to find inner peace and Self, he needs to stop focusing on the one thing, because he gets tunnel vision and misses everything else around him, thus missing every chance he gets to achieve inner peace.
ReplyDelete