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Demian
Hermann Hesse
Book Overview:
Somewhat autobiographical, this "coming of age" novel unfolds an introspective boy's formative years in pre-World War 1 Germany, from grade school through college. Hesse likens this confusing process to a giant bird struggling to break out of its egg (the protective shell of home, family, social norms), to be reborn as an individuated adult with his own goals, ideas and ideals. Much importance is given to dreams and their interpretation, Fate vs individual choice, Gnosticism (particularly the god Abraxas), opening up to one's unconsciousness, all showing the influence of Carl Jung's psychology. One of the book's major themes is the existence of opposing forces (good vs evil, society vs individualism, God vs Devil, etc.) and the idea that both are natural and necessary parts of the Whole. Adjacent themes are about puberty, sexuality, bullying, loneliness, mentorship, the divine feminine, psychic connections, questioning religious dogma, and the herd mentality. It is also a story of one soldier’s experience on the battlefield of WWI, feeling part of and being willing to die for a cause outside ones own control. Due to its controversial themes, Demian was first published under the pseudonym "Emil Sinclair" (the narrator of the story) but Hesse was later revealed to be the author.
Somewhat autobiographical, this "coming of age" novel unfolds an introspective boy's formative years in pre-World War 1 Germany, from grade school through college. Hesse likens this confusing process to a giant bird struggling to break out of its egg (the protective shell of home, family, social norms), to be reborn as an individuated adult with his own goals, ideas and ideals. Much importance is given to dreams and their interpretation, Fate vs individual choice, Gnosticism (particularly the god Abraxas), opening up to one's unconsciousness, all showing the influence of Carl Jung's psychology. One of the book's major themes is the existence of opposing forces (good vs evil, society vs individualism, God vs Devil, etc.) and the idea that both are natural and necessary parts of the Whole. Adjacent themes are about puberty, sexuality, bullying, loneliness, mentorship, the divine feminine, psychic connections, questioning religious dogma, and the herd mentality. It is also a story of one soldier’s experience on the battlefield of WWI, feeling part of and being willing to die for a cause outside ones own control. Due to its controversial themes, Demian was first published under the pseudonym "Emil Sinclair" (the narrator of the story) but Hesse was later revealed to be the author.
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Community Reviews
i am so glad i give authors three books to make me love them. this was hesse's last chance to woo me, and he really almost got a five-star valentine from me, but we will call it a four and a half - must be a little coy, after all. this is a book that i would love to go back in time and give myself u
There are two worlds: the world of good and the world of evil… The world of light and the world of darkness…
There were stories of the lost boys, prodigal sons, that this had happened to, and I read them avidly. The return to the father, to what was good, was always such a magnificent liberation in t
Nobody told me this would be kinda gay?
بضمير المتكلم، وبإحساس مثقف مر وعيه برحلة مزعجة سعيا لمعرفة نفسه، والميلاد الثاني الذاتي الذي يختار فيه مساره بعد مراحل الغفلة والنزق والعقاب والتمرد والتأمل واستخلاص ما يشبه صورة يرتضيها شعوره من مدركات أعماقه وواقعه وأحلامه، يكتب هرمان هيسة رواية دميان، ذاك الآخر الذي يستطيع أن يكون مساعدا سحريا،
قرأت حول هرمان هسه في كتاب اللامنتمي، وقرأت عن اللامنتمي في كتاب العالميّة الإسلاميّة الثّانية، هكذا قادني القدر إلى دميان وسنكلير، لكن لماذا الرّواية الّتي كان بطلها سنملير تعنون باسم دميان ؟
سنكلير يرمز إلى هسه .. الباحث عن نفسه، كما يعبّر في بداية كتابه: " لم أكن أريد إلاّ أن أعيش وفق الدّوافع الح
“I realize today that nothing in the world is more distasteful to a man than to take the path that leads to himself.”
Demian is a sad and lonely read; it is a thoroughly depressing exploration of the human soul and the adolescent mind.
The book portrays a general sense of detachment and d