Demian in Never too Late to Read Classics

Apr 19, 2016 Josh Caporale rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I have previously read two of Hermann Hesse's novels before this point in time: Siddhartha in 2012 and Narcissus & Goldmund in 2014 (looks like an unintentional biannual trend) and I felt that both of these were good novels. The third time, however, was the greatest charm and it is the Hesse novel that spoke to me the strongest and provided me with the most enlightenment, something I feel is bound to take place in anything he has written. Hesse wrote four novels prior to this one, each of which I have previously read two of Hermann Hesse's novels before this point in time: Siddhartha in 2012 and Narcissus & Goldmund in 2014 (looks like an unintentional biannual trend) and I felt that both of these were good novels. The third time, however, was the greatest charm and it is the Hesse novel that spoke to me the strongest and provided me with the most enlightenment, something I feel is bound to take place in anything he has written. Hesse wrote four novels prior to this one, each of which concentrated on the starving artistry that those pursuing the humanities endure, in addition to some shorter works, from short stories to poetry. Hesse took a different approach in this novel, concentrating more on his growing interest in Jungian psychology and the enlightenment Hesse himself was seeking in what comes off as being semi-autobiographical. In fact, Hesse originally published this novel as Emil Sinclair, telling his very own story. Where curriculums harp The Catcher in the Rye, they should be shifting their attention toward Demian all the more.

Emil Sinclair is a teenager looking to find his purpose in life. He looks like to his mother and older sisters and to an extent fears his father. Among the general population, he fears the psychologically abusive Franz Kromer, who manipulates him into paying him money that he could receive by ratting him out for a theft he said he committed to sound like a rebel, but did not. Sinclair comes across the title character, Max Demian, while he is in school, and Demian takes an interest in Sinclair. Demian enlightens Sinclair with his wisdom and leads him into a journey that provides him with a stronger will and a greater deal of confidence. Throughout life's journey, Sinclair goes to boarding school and comes across Pistorius, an organ player at a church that tells him about selfhood, and meets Demian's mother, a glorious figure.

Demian takes the "coming of age" novel and the essential values of Transcendentalism and creates something so enlightening, so brilliant. It provides one with that feeling that selfhood and one's intuition is the path that one should follow in a society that is dominated by conformity in all of its forms. Demian prioritizes its philosophy to its story, but its philosophy is so powerful that the story only needs to be so simple. I asked myself questions, but these are questions that are yearning for answers, and I feel that Hesse does an outstanding job highlighting the importance that comes with the critical thinking that is bound to take place with this particular novel. This novel is by all means a piece of Hesse's spirit and it is a shared spirit that every teenager shares at some point in time. I feel that if more people read this novel, especially if they are younger and looking for their purpose in life, the world would be a better place. While this novel took me a bit longer to read than the 145 pages that it was, it is meant to be indulged like a fine piece of cheese and every detail is worth one's full attention.

Individuals need to feel more confident in their ability to make decisions that they feel are right for themselves and for the greater society. This work assures of this and that is an accomplishment.

You can find the discussion I have about this novel here (the discussion does contain spoilers, though): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy9-p... ...more

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