The Brahmin’s Son
1. Briefly describe Siddhartha.
Siddhartha is a good-looking, well-loved young man who has grown into the religious group of India,. He is full of knowledge, able to master the art of meditation.
2. For what two things does Govinda, his best friend, admire him?
Govinda admires his eyes and sweet voice as well as his grace movements and thoughts. Govinda truly admires his friend, hoping to follow in Siddhartha’s footsteps.
3. What does he fear if he stays at home and continues in his father’s religion?
He hears that he will not find happiness within himself nor find spiritual peace. He believes that not even the love of his parents and best-friend Govinda is enough to suffice him.
4. Why does he fear that he will
He isolates himself from the rest of the world, in hopes of finding happiness and spiritual peace.
2. What makes him realize that he has become the victim of greed, or avarice?
Siddhartha has entered the Sansara, a world of sensual pleasures. He learns to play chess, watch dancers, and gain wealth. He even looks down upon the people who come to ask him for advice or wealth. It is as if he is entering into a dark abyss where he does not even see his own self.
3. What does he feel has resulted from him trying to be like everyone else and playing the games other people play?
He feels his life is senseless, without any meaning. He realizes that he has been living a life where time passes by fast. Upon learning his pathetic self, he goes onto another journey to find himself.
4. Define his code of values at the beginning of this chapter; then show how it has changed at the end of the chapter.
When Siddhartha came to Kamala and Kamaswami, he had hopes of experiencing a new Siddhartha, one that would find happiness. He experiences materialistic pleasures and lives a life of wealth. Earlier in the book, he had exercised self-denial, but even after getting rid of desire, his denial starts to come back to him. At the end of the chapter, it is apparent that Siddhartha understands his situation, prompting him to leave his current life.

By the River 1. As Siddhartha converses with Govinda, he says the following: “The