The Excursion to Self-Realization in The Selected Novels of Hermann Hesse

Abstract

Hermann Hesse is a prolific German literary writer whose writings highlight the archetypal approach, as identified in Vedas and Upanishads and Buddhist and Chinese philosophy. The archetypal approach determines the form and function of literary works that cultural and psychological myths shape a text's meaning. The present study analyzes the archetypal approaches in the selected novels of Hermann Hesse. The novel's archetypes are the consciousness, beatific smile, guru-disciple relationship, mother figure, and psychological myth. Hermann Hesse effectively uses these symbols to reveal the secret of ultimate reality. The discussion deals with the theme of self-realization and various bodily practices to attain self-realization. "Self-realization” is the recognition – in body, mind, and soul – that we are one with God's omnipresence; that we do not have to pray for it all to come to us, that we are always not merely near it, but that God's existence is our omnipresence; that we are just as much a part of Him now as we will ever be.  It also traces the origin of German Literature until the age of Hermann Hesse. Psychosynthesis methodology developed by Assagioli helps get the study's core idea, including the human drive towards personal and spiritual growth. Therefore, through the novels, Hesse has portrayed the various paths leading to the attainment of self-realization, which help the man realizes himself, and ultimately, he attains eternity. The study finds the worldly endeavor to become perfect proves the need for self-realization. Even the inanimate things struggle to become animate and, in due course, evolve as self-realized souls.