Siddhartha and The Alchemist: A short comparative analysis
The journeys we take help us understand ourselves better. We just have to keep our hearts open
"Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, be fortified by it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.” - Hermann Hesse
”Siddhartha” is a short spiritual novel by Hermann Hesse published in 1922. Hesse, in this book, reminds us that the secret of happiness lies in staying true to ourselves. “Siddhartha” is a mesmerizing work with a universal and timeless appeal. It explores themes of individualism, the pursuit of knowledge, and the wisdom that can be gained through suffering.
Some people tend to compare “Siddhartha” and “The Alchemist”. This is because both Siddhartha and Santiago, the protagonists, embarked on transformative journeys that led them to attain wisdom and discover themselves. “Siddhartha” was published in 1922, while “The Alchemist” was published in 1988. Siddhartha's story is about a young boy in a quest for profound enlightenment, while “The Alchemist” is about a young boy's journey in search of treasure.
Indeed, both books share a similar theme and plot - the search for meaning in a world full of infinite possibilities. “Siddhartha” inspires readers to look inward for wisdom and fulfilment. At the beginning of the story, we know that the protagonist is blessed materially and well-loved by his family. And what does he think of material possessions? Do they bring him joy and fulfilment? No. Siddhartha, despite his material possessions and blessings, felt empty and unfulfilled. He wanted to find his path by following his heart.
…. “his intellect was not satisfied, his soul was not at peace, his heart was not still.”
Siddhartha’s journey involves renunciation, meditation, and encounters with different teachers. In the end, he discovers that true wisdom lies within oneself.
“The Alchemist”, on the other hand, is an exciting transformative journey of the protagonist, Santiago. Our protagonist in this short story embarked on a long journey from Spain to Egypt because of a recurrent dream of finding a hidden treasure.
Unlike Siddhartha, Santiago embarked on a journey in search of material possessions. He wasn't seeking enlightenment. And yet, along the way, he met the alchemist. And what lesson did he learn from the alchemist? He learned the importance of following his own heart. He learned that material possessions were not the real treasure his heart sought - instead, it was the spiritual treasure. This doesn’t mean that material possessions do not have value. It means that in his long journey, he realized the importance of not just the hidden treasure but the joy of being adventurous, the kindness of the people he met along the way, and the wisdom he gained.
In “The Alchemist”, Paulo Coelho, repeatedly mentions about Personal Legend. But what does it mean? Why it was repeated many times in the book? A person's Personal Legend as mentioned in the book is a term for one's purpose. Similar to the story of Siddhartha, the protagonist Santiago had to overcome several hurdles to follow his own purpose. It might sound like a narrative hook, but it applies universally. Everyone of us have our own Personal Legend.
The storytelling of Hesse and Coelho is simple. If we think about it - both books - was a metaphor for life itself. It reminds us of our passion. For Siddhartha, it is understanding the wisdom of the world. For Santiago, it is to travel and learn from people he meets along the way. It is also a story about life's quest. For Siddhartha, it is to discover a higher state of being. For Santiago, it is to find a treasure hidden in North Africa. Lastly, it is about our core relationships. For Siddharth, it is his relationship with Govinda, his father, the Buddha, Kamaswami, Kamala, Vasuveda, and the young boy. For Santiago, it is with his father and Fatima. It can also be about his connection with the gypsy woman, Melchizedek, and the Alchemist.
The journeys we take help us understand ourselves better. It might not be as wondrous and epic as these novel characters have embarked on. But I am sure that the wisdom will be as profound once we understand them. Wherever you may be in a journey today, I hope that you may discover the constellations within you.