Demian
The bird fights its way out of the egg. The egg is the world. Who would be born must first destroy a world.
October 12, 2021
Demian
Hermann Hesse
Minumsa
2009-01-20
9788937460449
Review
The best coming-of-age novel of the 20th century, depicting the painful and brilliant growth process of an ordinary boy who embraces both the good and evil, light and darkness existing within himself and moves toward his true self.
In a world where the two worlds of
Abraxas, a god encompassing both good and evil, the divine and the diabolical, seems to be the core that continues to penetrate this work.
Through the symbol of Abraxas, it powerfully conveys the message that humans can only reach their complete 'Self' when they integrate all opposing things such as good and evil, light and darkness, masculinity and femininity.
Beyond a growth story of an individual, it seems to be an immortal work that depicts the process of identity confusion and self-discovery that anyone experiences as a human through profound symbols and philosophy.
It faces the duality within human beings head-on without looking away.
Such works can be seen from a new perspective when read again as one gets older.
In a world where the two worlds of
good and evil and light and darkness coexist, the collision of the two worlds of the protagonist Emil Sinclair occurs simultaneously with the appearance of Demian.Abraxas, a god encompassing both good and evil, the divine and the diabolical, seems to be the core that continues to penetrate this work.
Through the symbol of Abraxas, it powerfully conveys the message that humans can only reach their complete 'Self' when they integrate all opposing things such as good and evil, light and darkness, masculinity and femininity.
Beyond a growth story of an individual, it seems to be an immortal work that depicts the process of identity confusion and self-discovery that anyone experiences as a human through profound symbols and philosophy.
It faces the duality within human beings head-on without looking away.
Such works can be seen from a new perspective when read again as one gets older.