Journey to the Unconscious: An Examination of Paths to Enlightenment in Hermann Hesse's Works

Author

Victoria B. Lee

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Gray, Sally H.

Committee Member

Holt, D. Lynn

Committee Member

Potter, Edward T.

Date of Degree

8-12-2016

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Foreign Language

Degree Name

Master of Arts

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures

Abstract

Over the course of this thesis, three of Hermann Hesse’s novels will be examined – Demian (1919), Der Steppenwolf (1927), and Siddhartha (1922) – as performative texts in order to demonstrate how Hesse presents a blueprint of ideal paths to personal enlightenment through common themes that flow through his works, such as breaking out, creation and destruction, and Jungian archetypes. These themes will be compared to Nietzsche’s work on the transformation of the soul. Each of these performative texts by Hesse present a unique opportunity, not only to enjoy a masterful tale of such vivid characters, but also a chance for readers to discover for themselves a new access to peace of mind.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/20744

Comments

Der Steppenwolf||Siddhartha||Demian||Hermann Hesse||Jungian archetypes

Recommended Citation

Lee, Victoria B., "Journey to the Unconscious: An Examination of Paths to Enlightenment in Hermann Hesse's Works" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. 2890.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/2890