AP PREP POST 1: SIDDARTHA

Essay Topics
1. Siddhartha explores the quest for spiritual enlightenment, and by the end of the novel four characters have achieved this goal: Govinda, Gotama, Vasudeva, and Siddhartha. Is the enlightenment achieved by each of these characters the same? Why or why not? What distinctions and similarities exist between the paths these characters use to reach their final goal?
http://www.amphi.com/schools/irhs/teacher-staff/jeen/english12/siddhartha-essay.aspx
         In the passage we are only introduced to Govinda. We are unaware of the characters Gotama and Vasudeva, so we do not know anything about their enlightenment or the similarities it may have to Govinda's and Siddarthda's. In order to answer this question, one would need to read the entire novel.

2. A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. Select a novel or play and, focusing on one symbol, write an essay analyzing how that symbol functions in the work and what it reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.

jneff.wikispaces.com/file/view/Open+Question+Practice+Activity.doc · DOC file

          A symbol in the passage we read was the imaginary snake that laid in his path. It represented his confusion and frustration. In the passage, he was thinking through his life and how he didn't belong. The 'snake' was the wall that kept him from moving forward. But when he decided that he was just himself, just Siddartha, the snake moved and he was able to push forward in his life.

 

3. Siddhartha features substantial activity and narrative action. At the same time, it is about one man’s largely internal spiritual quest. What is the relationship between the internal and exterior worlds of Siddhartha? How does Siddhartha negotiate these worlds?

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/siddhartha/study.html
           In the passage, we are only revealed to the internal world of Siddartha. We are not exposed to any interaction with other characters. But Govinda's name is mentioned so we do know that Siddartha does have some kind of human contact beside the inside of his own mind.

4. Discuss the role of the mystic utterance Om in Siddhartha. In what ways does it foreshadow Siddhartha’s spiritual progression? Is his relationship with it proactive, or reactive?
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/siddhartha/study.html
         I have absolutely no idea how this question would be answered, but I would love to hear someone's opinion on how they would answer the question.

5. Explain which person has the greatest influence on Siddhartha and why?http://www.gradesaver.com/siddhartha/q-and-a/explain-which-person-has-the-greatest-influence-on-siddhartha-and-why-94151/
        This question is very simple and could be answered simply in two sentences, but due to the simplicity of it, the question becomes very hard. To me it is the same thing as having very structured guidelines for a project or very general guidelines. The general guidelines are always more difficult because it forces you to really think outside the box and get creative, but they are more fun because they are a more accurate representation of you. This question would be an awesome question to see on the AP exam. The room would sigh in relief. I would not be able to answer the question at the time because Siddartha has not been revealed to any other characters yet, to my knowledge. And I would also need examples to back up my points, which I do not have access to in just the one passage.


These questions have showed me that I really need to learn how to deeply analyze a novel and remember specific facts about it in order to succeed on the writing portion of the AP test in the spring. It also shows me that I need to know how to identify critical literary elements so I can give my essays more depth.