Inward Journey

This study focuses on the four great works written by Hermann Hesse :Demian(l919)Der Steppemvolf(1927),Narziss and Goldmund(1930) and DasGlasperlenspiel(1943) By analyzing these potagonests, Emil Sinclair and MaxDemian, Harry Haller and Hermine,Narziss and Goldmund ,Jlsef Knecht in different writing periods, and interpertating writer' s intentions of creating them, draw the views that how Hesse try to help people gain a good life.The emphases are:how Hesse's famous "inward journey" sprouts, grows and finally forms his particular mental system, and that we further place the system in German literarure, Culture setting and inspect what meaning and value it has.The thesis include three main parts. In the first part, introduce the general situation about Hesse' s writings.In the second, I try to analyze three themes. In the first theme "polar opposites" , the emphasis lies on illustrating the contradiction and mediation in Demian, Harry. Goldmund and revealing that "polar opposites" is inherent ,at the same time it is likely that they are in harmony with each other. In the second theme "female redemption " , the emphasis lies on explaining the symbolic meaning. Female symbolizes perception which, however, does not resist reason .In a sense,they are partners. The saving hope combines them together and distills faith from it. In the third theme "death" , the emphasis lies on the ends of four works .Using Martin Heidegger' s "death view" , I try to interprete what Hesse' s death means is not body' s destroy but the way to get immortal.In the third , this study focuses on the backgroud and tell what Hessebenefits from Literature, culture and Religion tradition. In the firsttheme "literature tradition----the last knight in German romanticism" , Itry to analyse Hesse' writings which are full of love, imagination and death. They benefit from German romanticism which sings high of thinkinglove and soul, living and death. The second theme "mysticism----the poeticway to treat world" basis on "Gnosticism" and Michael Foucault' s "power/science" theory. I try to contrast mysticism and only-science theory and draw the conclusion Hesse considers that the former is more pleased . In the third theme , I summarize the "serve" idea in Hesse' s novels by which he hope people can get harmony.The last part concludes remarks and sorts out Hesse' s Humanist' idea.