A Study On The Change And Development Of The Theme Of "Love" In Hesse’s Novels On Early And Medium Stages

This paper explores the self-growth and experience of the main characters of Hermann Hesse’s early-to-mid-1900s worksPeter Camenzind,Siddhartha,dindNarziβand Goldmund.It also discusses the individual’s perception of love growing out of nothing,passing through the course form the elementary to the profound,and revealing the enlightenment of modern life.This paper is divided into five parts:The preface mainlyintroduces the life and works of Hermann Hesse,outlines the present situation of Hesse’s research,and expounds the basis and signification of the topic.Chapter I to Chapter III is the body of paper,and it examines the process of the development of love.Chapter I explains the main character Peter Camenzind’s love of nature,friendship and dedication,and discusses the process from nature to human beings as well as from self-expansion to helping people.Chapter II discusses Siddhartha’s self-searching that starts from the love of a father to the inspiration bya riverand finally rises to love all creations.It reveals that love is the source of the spirit and the highest realm of individuals.Chapter III explains the process ofGoldmund’s pursuit of love,which starts from walking out of the depression of love,then follows the guide of spirit and sensory,and finally reaches the sublimation of loveby way of art.The conclusion comes back to summarize the love theme in order to emphasize the value and importance of this topic in Hermann Hesse’s works in modern era.