A River, a Teacher

    A prominent motif in Siddhartha is the river that recurs many times throughout the book. “In the shade of the house, in the sunshine on the river bank by the boats, in the shade of the sallow wood and the fig tree… on the river bank , while bathing his holy ablutions, at the holy sacrifices.”(Hesse, 3) This is the first mention of the river and the surrounding text gives the river a holy feel as if Siddhartha can worship to the river. A greater meaning is given to the river that Siddhartha and even Govinda respect the powers of the river; as if the river has a power that is greater to mankind. “The broad sheet of water glimmered in the light of the morning. ‘It is a beautiful river’, he said to his companion. ‘Yes’, said the ferryman, ‘it is a very beautiful river. I love everything about it. I have often listened to it, gazed at it, and I have always learned something from it. One can learn much from a river.’”(Hesse, 48-49) Siddhartha admires the river but the ferryman has a greater sense than Siddhartha about the magic that the river can do. The river reappears to show that the river has much knowledge. Siddhartha needs to learn from the river and practice what he learns to be able to make decisions and live his life as a Samana would have wanted. “I will remain by this river, thought Siddhartha… He looked into the flowing water, into the transparent green, into the crystal lines of its wonderful design… How he loved this river, how it enchanted him, how grateful he was to it! In his heart he heard a newly awakened voice speak and it said to him: ‘Love this river, stay by it, learn from it.’”(Hesse, 101) Siddhartha is finally able to acknowledge that he should learn and practice from the river. The river holds many great things to the person who acquires to know these things. The recurring motif of the river in Siddhartha is able to help lead Siddhartha on the correct path in his life.