Siddhartha by german writer, Hermann Hesse, follows the journey of a boy as he becomes an enlightened man. The journey of Siddhartha is an inspiring one, going through several stages to achieve one goal. Personally, I believe that in today’s society we are deprived of taking journeys to find ourselves. Some human beings could use a transformation, or two, or three. The novel is littered with aspects of romanticism, which is very lacking in the “real life.” It is also lacking in modern literature. Romanticism has six main characteristics: emotion over reason, character introspection, love as a spiritual entity, emphasis on nature, preference to rural society over urban society, and subjectivity on the author’s part. Siddhartha has ample evidence to supply for its focus on emotions, introspection, love, nature, and rural societies.

Siddhartha focuses primarily on the emotions of the titular character. His drive is viewed as unreasonable, fueled strictly by how he feels throughout his journey. Siddhartha’s feelings of discontent among the Brahman are what lead on the path he chooses. Under the banyan tree, his meditation brings him this conclusion, “It had to be found, the pristine source in one's own self, it had to be possessed! Everything else was searching, was a detour, was getting lost. Thus were Siddhartha's thoughts, this was his thirst, this was his suffering.” (Hesse, Kindle Locations 74-76). He feels so strongly about finding the cure for his discontent, that he feels he is suffering. Siddhartha’s desire even leads him to force his father’s hand, going so far as to say he will die waiting for approval. Among the Samanas, Siddhartha makes it his goal to shun most of what is considered emotions. “A goal stood before Siddhartha, a single goal: to become empty, empty of thirst, empty of wishing, empty of dreams, empty of joy and sorrow. Dead to himself, not