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Questions and Answers
What does Siddhartha's newly awakened voice tell him at the very beginning of this chapter?
Stay by the river.
What does Siddhartha offer to pay the ferryman?
His fancy clothes.
How long had it been since Siddhartha had seen the ferryman?
More than twenty years.
What's the ferryman's name?
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What was one of the ferryman's greatest virtues?
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When Siddhartha was not working directly with the ferryman, he did all of the following except:
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What one 'word' does the river utter to those who listen closely?
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Why did the monks come to the river?
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Who else does Siddhartha see making a pilgrimage to see the Illustrious One?
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Describe Kamala's son.
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What happens to Kamala?
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What provokes Siddhartha to feel more acutely the indestructibleness of every life?
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How old is Siddhartha's son?
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How are Siddhartha and his son getting along?
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What advice does the ferryman give Siddhartha regarding his son?
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What 'human passion' can Siddhartha finally claim?
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Where does Young Siddhartha go in this chapter?
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Does Siddhartha go in search of his son?
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Who comes to find Siddhartha?
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How does Siddhartha begin to feel about the other people around him?
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What 'wound' continually smarts Siddhartha in this chapter?
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What is Siddhartha referring to with the 'repetition...what course...a fateful circle'?
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To whom does Siddhartha confess his longings for his son?
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What has just happened to Siddhartha regarding listening?
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Where does the ferryman go at the end of chapter 11?
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Why does Govinda return to the river?
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According to Siddhartha, 'Knowledge can be communicated...but not ______'
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According to Siddhartha, the Illustrious Buddha taught about the world and divided it into two parts:
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Explain what is meant by the phrase: 'This is a stone, and within a certain length of time it will perhaps be soil...'
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What is keeping Govinda from finding Nirvana?
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According to Siddhartha, what is the most important thing in the world?
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Govinda finally 'gets' Siddhartha's rantings when he does this to Siddhartha?
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Who has the following thought: 'Had he ever lost his heart to anybody so completely...?'
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What does Young Siddhartha say about bringing twigs?
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Who says, 'Come nearer...come nearer...kiss me on the forehead...?'
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Study Notes
Siddhartha Chapters 9-12 Summary
- Siddhartha's inner voice guides him to remain by the river, where he finds peace.
- He offers his fancy clothes to the ferryman as payment for crossing the river.
- More than twenty years have passed since Siddhartha last saw the ferryman, whose name is Vasudeva.
- Vasudeva is renowned for his exceptional listening skills, a rare virtue among people.
- While not directly working with the ferryman, Siddhartha does not engage in poetry but contributes to daily tasks like rice farming and gathering wood.
- The river communicates a single, profound word: Om, to those who listen intently.
- Monks visit the river to ferry across for a final encounter with Gotama, who is gravely ill.
- Siddhartha unexpectedly encounters Kamala, who is also on the pilgrimage to see Gotama.
- Kamala's son, tired and hungry, resists participating in the pilgrimage.
- Tragically, Kamala is bitten by a venomous snake and passes away shortly after.
- Siddhartha experiences profound realizations about life's interconnectedness and the permanence of moments following Kamala's death.
- Siddhartha's son is revealed to be eleven years old, and their relationship is strained, with the boy displaying defiance.
- Vasudeva advises Siddhartha to allow his son to experience life in the town with peers and mentors.
- Siddhartha discovers the capacity to love, particularly toward his son, indicating a new emotional depth.
- Young Siddhartha flees into the forest and heads toward town, seeking independence.
- Siddhartha embarks on a quest to locate his son after his departure.
- Vasudeva also searches for Siddhartha to offer guidance and support.
- Siddhartha begins to feel jealousy towards the joy of families around him, especially those with children.
- He grapples with emotional pain over his son, which becomes a metaphorical wound that troubles him.
- Siddhartha reflects on the cyclical nature of life and his fears of repeating his father's fate when experiencing his son's absence.
- Siddhartha reveals his longing for his son to Vasudeva, expressing deep personal sorrow.
- Through deep contemplation at the river, Siddhartha learns to appreciate the unity among all beings, capturing the essence of Om as perfection.
- Vasudeva withdraws into the woods, symbolizing his transition into a deeper understanding of existence.
- Govinda seeks Siddhartha, drawn by reports of the ferryman’s wisdom, demonstrating the quest for enlightenment.
- Knowledge can be shared, but true wisdom cannot be communicated, emphasizing the unique nature of personal experience.
- Siddhartha identifies two fundamental states of existence taught by the Buddha: Samsara (the cycle of rebirth) and Nirvana (liberation from this cycle).
- The metaphor of transformation illustrates that all potential futures exist within the present, emphasizing a cyclical understanding of life.
- Govinda's struggle to achieve Nirvana is rooted in his belief that it is a tangible concept instead of an immediate state of being.
- Love is declared by Siddhartha as the most vital aspect of life, highlighting its transformative power.
- Understanding arises for Govinda when he shares a moment of physical connection with Siddhartha, symbolizing recognition of deeper truths.
- Vasudeva describes the river as sacred to those who perceive its voice, reflecting Siddhartha's evolved perspective.
- Siddhartha embraces a philosophy contrasting permanence with existence, highlighting the importance of momentary presence.
- Kamala's words reflect on Siddhartha's unchanged essence, noting his spirit remains youthful despite physical aging.
- Vasudeva's guidance urges Siddhartha to listen to the river, advocating gentle parenting over strictness.
- Vasudeva teaches that gentleness and love outperform force, conveying a vital lesson about strength and compassion.
- Siddhartha reflects deeply on his capacity for love, recognizing his profound emotional attachments.
- Young Siddhartha expresses frustration with his father's expectations, feeling oppressed by Siddhartha's piety.
- Siddhartha seeks intimacy and connection, requesting a kiss from his son as a symbol of their bond.
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Description
Explore the key concepts of Chapters 9-12 in Hermann Hesse's 'Siddhartha' through engaging flashcards. Test your understanding of Siddhartha's journey, his interactions, and the significance of the river. Perfect for students looking to deepen their comprehension of this classic novel.
