Psychological analysis of Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha story

One of the dynamic branches of contemporary literary criticism is psychological criticism which, in turn, has several subdivisions. One such subdivision is based on Carl Gustav Jung's viewpoint. Hermann Hesse's works can be well criticized and analyzed through Jung's psychological point of view because his ideas and thoughts are in many ways similar to those of Jung. They were in close contact and communicated with each other. Both of them were interested in symbols and icons, as well as commenting and analyzing them. Hesse was as introvert as Jung was; he paid attention to psychological facts and social aspects are meager in his works. Hesse and Jung liked East mysticism including Indian Gnosticism. India was a link which joined Jung and Hesse. Indians live in the world of symbols; influencing on symbols, being influenced by them, although they didnt like to comment on them. Symbols are favorite subjects for Jung and Hesse and their dominance in Hesse's works provide an appropriate field for a critical analysis from Jung's point of view. An investigation of symbols and archetypical criticism of literary works, especially those works arising from the soul, is a suitable method for exploring the hidden meaning in exterior and surface-structural layers. These analyses may reveal common facts in human soul as well. In this article, the researchers attempt to criticize the Hermann Hesse's "Siddhartha"story based on archetypical approach.Archetypes such as dream, journey, hero, water, river and passing it, anima, tree and old wiseman are within important symbols which are assembled harmoniously in this story. They represent human effort in his individual and self-realization process. These symbols will be examined in details here in this article.