Arts & Entertainment, Literature
Hesse, "Demian": a summary
Hermann Hesse is a famous German-Swiss writer, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature of 1946. His most famous works are the Stepnoy Volk novels , The Beads Game, Siddhartha, but to understand the creativity of the author, one must go to the sources, the early works of Hesse. "Demian" is a novel created in 1919 under a pseudonym. It is in it are the beginnings of many ideas and solutions, which were subsequently realized in the more famous works of Hesse.
Classic of German Literature
Herman was the second child in the family. His first sister, Adel, was born in 1875. The youngest were Marulla and Hans.
In the family of Hesse, pietism was cultivated. This is a special direction of Lutheranism, which consisted of exceptional piety, constant direct communication with God, as well as a sense of constant control over your life of higher forces.
In 1881, the family moved to Switzerland Hesse ("Demian" was later written in the same country). In Basel, Hermann enters a missionary school. From his early years, everyone was celebrating his talent - a craving for painting and playing musical instruments. In school years, he holds the first writer's experiences. The first work of Hesse, for which it is for certain known, is the tale "Two Brothers" written by him for his younger sister at the age of ten.
In 1886, Hesse returned to Calw, and Herman continued his studies at the seminary at the monastery. He learns ancient languages, studies the Gospel in detail, writes the first poetic works. Later, some events of this period, he will include in the novel "Under the wheel." Most researchers do not consider it autobiographical.
Soulful problems
In the end, Hesse leaves the monastery and tries to study in Bolle in Baden-Württemberg. However, his condition worsens, and after an unsuccessful attempt at suicide, parents are sent to the psychiatric clinic of Hermann Hesse. "Demian", whose brief content largely describes similar problems for the characters, is also partly an autobiographical work.
After trying to learn at the gymnasium and after being a pupil of the printer, Herman goes to work in the missionary publishing house that belonged to his grandfather.
First publications
Subsequently, Hesse is actively engaged in self-education. In 1899 he published his first book "Romantic Songs" for earned and deferred money. And a little later - a collection of short stories "The hour after midnight." However, books are not popular and are poorly sold.
Over time, his works are becoming more mature. Popularity among the reading public Herman gets thanks to the novel "Peter Kamenzind", published in the Berlin publishing house. In addition to fame came serious money, which allowed to concentrate completely on literature.
Love and War
Family happiness lasts about 10 years. The crisis in relations occurs in 1914. By the beginning of the First World War, the death of Hesse's father and his wife's illness were added. Because of these events, the writer's state of mind deteriorates again. And in the final analysis, they disagree with his wife. Finally, Hesse make out a divorce in 1919.
The war divided the whole of Europe into two camps, including Switzerland, in which Hesse lived. He is trying to enroll in the front, but he is recognized as unfit for service.
Getting to know Lang
Subsequently, Lang becomes a close friend for Herman. In many works, the prototype characters of a doctor are guessed.
In 1919 a new novel was published by Hesse - "Demian." The book is signed with his pseudonym - at that time it is published under the name Emil Sinclair.
Full name of the work "Demian, or the History of Youth." Hesse hides from everyone that he is the author. The publisher manages to convince himself that it was created by a young novice writer who, before his death, asked Hesse to publish the novel.
Only in 1920 recognized the authorship of Hesse. "Demian" comes out with a subtitle "The history of Emil Sinclair's youth, written by Hermann Hesse."
History of Emile
Roman Hesse "Demian" - this is the story of growing up and spiritual quest for the protagonist. Emil Sinclair is a young man who tries to understand his own psychological problems, and approaches this issue from a philosophical point of view. Many critics compare the novel with one of Goethe's most famous works - "The Suffering of a Young Werther".
Childhood and youth of the young Emil are described in detail in the work of Hesse "Demian." The plot narrates about the searches of the main character. At the age of ten the child watches the self-reflection of adults. With each step he feels self-confidence, his character is growing stronger.
Two worlds
At the beginning of the narrative, he meets the eldest boy Franz Vorser, a bully and a swindler. In order to win his trust and become his own in this company, Emil devises a story that recently robbed an apple orchard with friends, taking two bags of excellent fruits. However, a lie does not bring the desired result. Cromer begins to blackmail Emil and ask him to pay that he does not pass this story to the owner of the garden, who has long been looking for thieves and even appointed a reward in two stamps.
Emil breaks his own piggy bank and carries all the money that he had, all his savings, but there is not even one stamp. Franz refuses to accept pennies and requires only the full amount. Detail describes the suffering of Emil in his work Herman Hesse "Demian." The summary tells that Emil sees the only way out - to steal this money from her parents. He steals money and feels like he is plunging into the dark world. He is tormented by nightmares and anxieties, he becomes more and more closed and closed.
Cain
The second disciple of the forbidden world is the new pupil of Emil's school, his name is included in the title of Hesse - Demian. The book tells that his appearance is of great interest to all classmates. He seems to them intelligent, mature, more adult than peers.
During the walk, Demian tells Emil his own interpretation of the biblical legend of Cain and Abel. An interesting vzegyad on this story suggests in his work Hermann Hesse "Demian." Quotations, which after the publication of the novel diverged among lovers of literature, claimed that Cain - a noble man, and Abel - a coward. According to Demian, the beginning of the whole story was put on the seal that was on Cain. Invisible, but all the people around him felt that he was stronger, more confident, more courageous than them. They could explain this only by making up a story with his brother.
During the second meeting, Damian tries on Emil his art of reading thoughts. He guessed that Sinclair was influenced by Franz, but he manages to convince that these problems are insignificant. Emil falls into euphoria, but he is not able to feel grateful to Demian. Instead, he falls into another depression, closing in the world of the parents' home and moving away from school friends more and more.
Transitional age
On this basis, friendship with Demian is becoming stronger. Emil sees in him a kindred spirit. Especially Sinclair is impressed by Demian's ability to control people and subordinate them to his will.
He has his own special view of religion. In his opinion, the biblical God is an imperfect and narrow-minded character, because he represents only the good half of this world. While the second, evil half, the devil personifies.
This point of view is close to Emil, as he himself feels the contradictions between the worlds, realizing now that this is not his personal conflict, but the problem of all mankind.
To these thoughts the reader and Hesse brings. "Demian," whose content reflects the views of the author himself, argues that everyone must decide for himself what is allowed and what is forbidden. Live by their own rules, and not look back at strangers, do not even look at the commandments.
Beatrice
At the same time, Sinclair continues to experience ambivalent feelings. On the one hand, he realizes that he is becoming more and more absorbed in the dark world, on the other, he is hungry for bright and pure love.
The turning point in this conflict is a meeting with a young woman, Beatrice. True, her image is fictional. Even without reading Dante, Emile recognizes her by the reproduction of an English painting, which he always carried with him. He begins to devote a lot of drawings to his ideal. "Демиан" Герман Гессе. And here again there is a surprising in the novel "Demian" Hermann Hesse. The content of these paintings indicates that the features of Beatrice are similar to the appearance of Demian. This confirms that he feels deep longing for his friend.
The bird is selected from the nest
Soon, Emil discovers in his things a small piece of paper, on which were incomprehensible at first glance the words that the bird is selected from the egg, which is the world. And if a person wants to be born, he must destroy this world and release the bird to God - Abraxas.
This mysterious deity is not known to Emil, however, already in the next lesson he learns that this is a character that unites the divine and diabolical beginnings. Interest in the mysterious deity is instantly awakened, but all searches in the library prove futile.
The situation changes when Emile meets the organist Pistorius, who also worships this deity. He convinces Sinclair to rely only on his own opinion, to decide for himself what is possible in this world, and what is forbidden. Pistorius also doubts the Christian faith.
Beginning of the End
After leaving the boarding school, Emil enters the university. Studies disappoint him, he does not find in it the consolation, which he long sought in knowledge. Таким образом, госпожа Ева, Демиан и Синклер образуют гармоничное сообщество, которое чувствует себя соединенным законами Каина. But he gets acquainted with the mother of Demian, whom everyone calls Mrs. Evoy. Thus, Ms Eva, Demian and Sinclair form a harmonious community that feels itself connected by the laws of Cain. Together they are ready for any troubles and vicissitudes.
Emil Sinclair summarizes all his knowledge to attract Eva, which he fell in love with, but at this time in the world radical changes begin. The First World War ... The world, it seems to everyone, is about to collapse. Friends separately from each other go to war.
The last time Emil and Demian meet in a military hospital. Demian gives him a farewell kiss from his mother, and next morning disappears. However, for Emil everything has already changed. Now Demian becomes a part of him and he, at last, is ready to make a choice and go on his own way.
Structure and reviews
The novel consists of an introduction and eight chapters, each of which is provided with a title. The preface is designed to make the reader believe that Emil is a real person, one of us.
The narration is from the first person, which once again proves that the work is largely autobiographical.
The novel "Demian" Hesse received positive reviews both from contemporaries and from current readers. The classic of German literature, Thomas Mann, in particular, wrote that this work had an unforgettable electrifying effect on it.
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