Inner Life and a Public Life

Name: Sarah Tan

Class: 5.11 Psalms

Date: 18th September 2009

In novels and short stories, characters tend to have both an “inner life” and a “public life”. Both of these may be part of the fiction, if not equally so in every work. Choose examples from your reading to discuss how and how effectively these two aspects of human existence are presented.

        Similar to real life, characters in novels have two aspects of their character, an “inner self” – the aspect of their character that they see and understand themselves to be – and an “outer self” – the aspect of their character that is displayed to the public and that other characters see and understand them to be. This can be seen in the works Siddhartha by Herman Hesse as well as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. In this essay, I will attempt to show how the characters Siddhartha from Siddhartha and Huckleberry Finn from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn effectively present these two aspects of human existence.

        Firstly, I would like to discuss Siddhartha’s “public” character, which can be seen through other characters’ perception of him. At first glance, Siddhartha seems to be an independent, capable man, confident of his own ability, and even to a small extent, proud. The novel begins by describing his achievements and praising him. For example, phrases such as “a prince among the Brahmins” and “the strong, the beautiful boy…with perfect breeding” are used to describe him. The use of the words “prince” and “perfect” indicate that Siddhartha is superior to other Brahmins and, to a large extent, flawless. This is echoed in Govinda’s description of Siddhartha as someone who “would become no ordinary Brahmin…Siddhartha [would become] a god”. This elevation of Siddhartha to demi-god status further emphasizes that he is perfect and faultless. The people’s opinion of Siddhartha also supports this as seen from “They all loved Siddhartha. He brought joy to all, he delighted them all.” Hence, our first impression of Siddhartha is a very good one, as he is clearly perceived by his family and friends to be a respectable, well-loved man.  

        Throughout the novel, Hesse maintains Siddhartha’s public image of one who is extremely confident and sure of himself. This is portrayed through Siddhartha’s treatment of other characters. For example, when Siddhartha decides to leave the Samanas, he declares that he will “show the old man that I have learned something from him”, and makes the elderly Samana bow to Govinda and himself by capturing his will. Siddhartha’s self-assurance is a stark contrast to Govinda’s feelings of “alarm and embarrassment”. Siddhartha’s complete confidence in himself, almost to the point of arrogance, supports the perception that other characters (such as Govinda) have of him as a demi-god who is powerful enough to stand up to respected elders like the Samana.