Meaninglessness and Individual Quest in Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
Abstract
This study examines the theme of existential meaninglessness and the individual quest for identity in Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. The research problem is grounded in the philosophical concern that modern individuals often experience inner emptiness despite material success, religious practice, or social recognition; however, existing studies have not sufficiently explored how this meaninglessness functions as a driving force in Siddhartha’s spiritual development. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze how existential dissatisfaction shapes Siddhartha’s journey toward self-realization and enlightenment. The study is framed within an interpretivist research philosophy supported by existential theory, which emphasizes subjective meaning-making and lived experience. Moreover, a qualitative textual analysis method is employed to interpret the selected novel, focusing on thematic reading and close textual interpretation. The findings reveal that Siddhartha experiences meaninglessness at every major stage of his life; first, in his privileged Brahmin background, he feels inner dissatisfaction, and subsequently, he fails to find fulfillment through asceticism, Buddhist teachings, and material pleasures. Furthermore, his encounter with the river becomes a symbolic turning point where he begins to understand the unity of existence. In addition, suffering and lived experiences, particularly his relationship with his son and the ferryman Vasudeva, deepen his spiritual awareness. Consequently, the study shows that enlightenment is achieved not through external teachings but through personal experience and acceptance of life’s contradictions. Ultimately, it is concluded that existential meaninglessness is not a weakness but a necessary condition for Siddhartha’s spiritual growth and identity formation. Therefore, it is recommended that future studies explore comparative existential readings of Eastern and Western philosophical novels to further understand the role of meaninglessness in human development.
Keywords: Enlightenment, Existential Meaninglessness, Identity Quest, Spiritual Journey, Textual Analysis, Transformative Experience.
