Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse (Cook, Pre-IB 9^th Grade)

 

Reading Section Due dates:                                                                               Some Themes:                         

                                                                                                                             - hero’s quest         

1)   The Brahmin’s Son ______                                                                             - generation gaps 

2)   With the Samanas ______                                                                               - father-world vs. mother-world

3)   Gotama ______                                                                                              - spirituality vs. logic

4)   Awakening ______(Responses Due)                                                               - acceptance and rejection

                                                                                                                             - confusion and indirection  

5)   Kamala ______                                                                                              - discovering identity

6)   Amongst the People ______                                                                           - conformity vs. individuality

7)   Samsara ______                                                                                             - enlightenment (epiphany)

8)   By the River ______ (Responses Due)                                                            - disillusionment      

9)   The Ferryman ______                                                                                     - love

10) The Son ______                                                                                            - sensuality

11) Om ______                                                                                                    - dogma

12) Govinda ______  (Responses Due)

 

 

Written Responses:

 

For each chapter you are expected to write a 1 paragraph response.  I would recommend doing this on computer and saving each entry as you go, but hand-written on loose-leaf binder paper is fine with me, though spelling and grammar count.  Please quote selected passages from the text in your response when appropriate, and be detailed and clear in your writing, highlighting subtleties and fully examining the significance of those subtleties.   You can respond to any of the major themes you want, but remember to discuss the following literary elements when appropriate as well:  symbolism, foreshadowing, characterization, vivid imagery, diction, tone and mood. Your response needs to be followed by an open-ended question dealing with what you have written.  The question needs to be one the class would be interested in discussing, one that is well phrased and, if possible, controversial.

 

 

Discussion Grade:

 

Each day we will be discussing your questions.  You need to read at least 5 responses throughout the process and promote a discussion about your question.  If the question “falls flat,” I’ll try to help you if I can.  However, your grade depends on the quality of discussion.  Each discussion question you ask is worth up to 20 points and I will grade them based on the quality of the discussion.

 

 

Notes/Quizzes:

 

We will take notes on Hinduism and Buddhism, focusing especially on Buddhism, and also develop the vocabulary necessary to understanding Siddhartha.  You will take open-note quizzes periodically, so stay focused during this “lecture” portion of the class.

 

 

Final Project: