World Literature Paper 2

Statement of Intent

The relationship between Siddhartha, portrayed in the novel Siddhartha, written by author Hermann Hesse, is complicated by a blind love from father to son, and spiteful hate from son to father. This dysfunctional relationship is a repetition of Siddhartha’s past. He, like his son also named Siddhartha, is highly regarded by his parents, and he, too, chooses to discover a life beyond his parent’s intent. Siddhartha, the father, forgets what it is like to be young and curious. The man that learns from his own mistakes and the mistakes of others repeats the error of his father, the error of not allowing his child to formulate his own view of the world.
To shed new light on the hypocrisy in this relationship, Larry King, host of television’s most widely known talk shows, Larry King Live, will interview both Siddhartha the father and young Siddhartha, who goes by the name of Sid. Also joining them will be guest Vasudeva, the ferryman, as an insightful and objective member of this interview. The transcript of this conference follows the format of a theatrical skit’s script.
Both Vasudeva and Siddhartha, the elder, will speak in the manner they speak in the book, passively and calmly until emotions enter the picture. Then both begin to speak in the first person. Sid speaks in modern English. He feels it unnecessary to speak like his namesake. Siddhartha speaks in the same manner Hesse wrote his character to speak.
When direct quotes are pulled from the text, page numbers in parentheses follow. If this piece was to be acted out, those page numbers would be omitted from the script.
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Larry: Good Evening. This is Larry King Live. Today our guests are Siddhartha, the Illustrious One; and his son, who is also named Siddhartha. But to minimize confusion we’ll refer to the younger as Sid. Is that okay?

Sid: Of course. I’m cool with anything that distinguishes me from my namesake.

Larry: *smiles, nods, and continues* Also with us is Vasudeva, the ferry man, an objective, yet knowing and wise third party. Thank you all for joining us tonight. Hermann Hesse, the renowned author, recently published an up close and personal account of your life, Siddhartha. Through your journey, you have attained a sort of peace. All that is well and good; but, it amazes me how the relationship you share with Sid, was never peaceful, nor were the issues properly dealt with. Let’s discuss that. I read here that, and Hesse is referring to you, Siddhartha, when he says “by friendly patience, he hoped to win him [Sid] over.”(pg. 118)You honestly believed unending patience was the best way to go about teaching your son?

Siddhartha: As a child, my parents taught me many things. My mind teemed with all sorts of facts and formulas. Yet, from personal experiences, I have understood that wisdom is much more desired than endless knowledge. I also believe that peace and wisdom go hand in hand. I firmly accept as true that “wisdom is not communicable.” (pg. 142) I could have chose to impart much knowledge to my son, but what use is that; “knowledge may be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, be fortified by it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.” (pg. 142) I suspected this when I was still a youth and it was this that drove me away from teachers.” I wish to impart the wisdom I have attained. Although this may be impossible, it is my wish that at least he can learn by immersion. Spending time with Vasudeva and I can potentially change him. And the river. He must learn from it. He must learn to listen.

Larry: You say he has to learn from the river. That’s understandable, yet surprising. You yourself left the river, it says here: “Since young Siddhartha was in the hut, the old men had shared the work. Vasudeva had taken over all the work at the ferry and Siddhartha, in order to be with his son, the work in the hut and fields.” (pg. 118)

Siddhartha: Yes, I sacrificed my time at the river for my son. I favored time with him, instead of time with the river, even though it meant sorrow and trouble when I could have happiness and pleasure. I waited day after day for him to understand me, for him to accept my love, and maybe even for him to return it. I believed fervently that one day he would see and understand through my love and patience.

Larry: Hmmm, Vasudeva, you saw all of this first hand. Tell me, what might your opinion be?

Vasudeva: Let me speak to Siddhartha as a friend. You are correct in saying he has much to learn, but as do you. After throwing away the life of simplicity, and being sickened by the life of indulgences, you chose this life. Your son was never given that choice. He was forced to put those things behind him, to pursue life with you.

Larry: Why are you shaking your head Sid? What do you have to say about this?

Sid: Preach it Vasudeva. The old man is so confused. He wants me to become a copy of himself: “so pious, so gentle, so wise, but just to spite [him], I would rather become a thief and a murderer and go to hell.”(pg. 123) I hate this man. He may have had sex with my mother a dozen times. But that doesn’t make him my father. And you know what, Larry? There is nothing about this man that attracts me, nor am I fearful of him. He is a good and perhaps even a holy man, but all of that means nothing to me. He doesn’t know how to be a father. I would have more respect for him if he at least disciplined me. He doesn’t even do that.

Larry: Is that why you want to leave, Sid?

Sid: Yes. But there’s more. I know that his journey brought him peace only after he had experienced everything else. I need to experience life too; I have to endure my own struggles and joys. I needed to embark on my own journey. Who knows? My own path may lead me in another direction altogether.

Larry: That’s an interesting perspective. *pause* Siddhartha, you look troubled.

Siddhartha: How can I allow my child to wander in this world alone? “I am fighting for him, I am trying to reach his heart.” (pg. 119) Someday….someday the river will speak to him. I know this.

Vasudeva: Siddhartha, dear friend, I have asked you this many times, in many ways, but you need to consider it again. Is your son obedient to you? Do you teach him what he needs to know? Does he understand the consequences of his actions? It is your duty as his father to instill in him both values and limitations. Yes, love is stronger that force, however, there is cause for me to think that failure to put your foot down is a mistake for which you, Siddhartha are to blame. Let him interact with people other than us. Your mistakes can not spare you son. You cannot protect him forever. Who spared you? Your own father couldn’t spare you, why do you assume you can spare young Siddhartha. Maybe you like to believe this because you want your journey to count for his as well. Can’t you see?

Siddhartha: *almost in tears* Vasudeva, you know I can not let him go. I love him too much. I am afraid of losing him. My heart is tied to him. It is like nothing I have ever felt before.

Sid: * voiced raised and on the verge of breaking* I CAN’T TAKE THIS ANYMORE. You think this is showing me love. You make me feel so small and irreverent. It is worse than any punishment you should be giving me. The worst part is that I don’t want to be like you, and until I do, you will continually punish me like this. So how then can I ever escape?

Larry: Wow, this has gotten much more emotional than I expected. *laughs nervously* Vasudeva, from what I hear, you’re not a man of many words, but you’re on a roll. I’ll let you continue… Wait, I think we’ve lost our connection to Sid. Hello. Sid? can you hear me? Sid! Sid? *camera goes to Sid’s seat, which is empty, Sid has left the premises*

Siddhartha: What!?! Where is he? Where is my son? I must find him. I must bring him back. He is but a child. Help me Vasudeva!

Vasudeva: Siddhartha, you must pause. Let him go.

Larry: Wait, he’s left a sketch. It’s an image of two men, one young and one old.

Siddhartha: *barely a whisper* my father. It is me leaving behind my father the Brahmin. He let me go; now I must do the same.

Vasudeva: Yes my friend, you finally understand.

Larry: What a night! Well, that wraps up tonight’s episode. Thank you all for watching. Good Night.