Starting with just the first sentence, "IN THE SHADE of the house, in the sunshine of the riverbank near the boats, in the shade of the Sal- wood forest, in the shade of the fig tree is where Sid- dhartha grew up, the handsome son of the Brahman, the young falcon, together with his friend Govinda, son of a Brahman." this reminds me of a fairy tale, a perfect setting; a perfect life? That's how it starts out but, as I read on I realize that this is like the life of many people I know. Everybody expects the best from a certain person, the star jock, student, artist. Or maybe that one person who we think has the perfect life, a perfect relationship, appearance.
"Joy leapt in his father’s heart for his son who was quick to learn, thirsty for knowledge; he saw him grow- ing up to become great wise man and priest, a prince among the Brahmans." (Page 1) "Siddhartha was thus loved by everyone. He was a source of joy for everybody, he was a delight for them all." (page 2) Everybody looks up to that person. Some wish they where them, even if the person is discontent on the inside. Then the pressure from the parents, friends, and family. The high expectations, and when you don't live up to them, that horrible feeling of letting down the people who believed in you.As we grow up I think we begin to wonder, we realize that maybe our parents aren't perfect, neither our teachers or our heroes, and for some, God. That may be what is happening to Siddhartha "The sacrifices and supplication of the gods were excellent- but were they everything?" (Page 2) I know that feeling, when all these questions come to your mind and all you want to do is answer them all, you get so overwhelmed and feel like you have to know the answer to them all. You begin to question your belifs, morals, judegment."Did the sacrifices give a happy fortune? And what about the gods? Was it really Prajapati who had created the world? " (Page 4)This reminded me of the first day of english class, we came in and had the questions that humans have tried to answer since the beginning of time they bug you untill you get through your head that there are some questions that have no answer.It reminded me of when you feel that those things that make others happy or pretend to make them happy might not be the same for you.
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