Siddhartha: Ideas, Themes and Symbols This novel had the constant presence of Buddha's philosophy. From beginning to end Siddhartha was searching for Nirvana. He repeatedly showed dissatisfaction with each of his new lifestyles and had to move forward in his pursuit. This philosophy was greatly emphasized at the climax, when Siddhartha attempted suicide but heard the omniscient "Om" within himself. Eventually, both he and his friend Govinda achieved enlightenment. All the characters lived in their own satisfying world. Everyone had reached their destiny, everyone had achieved their Nirvana. The novel had a weak cyclical theme. The main character led an ascetic and pure lifestyle. Then he turned to a materialistic world and finally returned to the ascetic life. He had lived with the Samana, a group of ascetics who lived in the forest. He moved to the city of Samsara where he fell in love with a beautiful woman, became a rich merchant and lived in luxury. Returning to the ascetic life, Siddhartha became a ferryman and lived along the river until the end of this book. He was happier there, learning from this great river. This theme was also evident when his young son left him to pursue other interests. It reminded Siddhartha of when he left his father. Although this theme was never explicitly mentioned by the author, the intent may have been to embed such truths into the reader's subconscious. The most important theme was the protagonist's self-discovery. The reader is taken into this young man's life and shown all the highs and lows. From the beginning of this novel Siddhartha has been searching for the truth. What he had in store for him were many years of discontent, but he finally found what he was looking for. It was at the river that Siddhartha found the meaning of life. For many years after his suicide attempt, he remained by the river and learned the secrets of the world. An important symbol was the magical river that Siddhartha crossed several times. It represented the border between the ascetic world and the materialistic world. He had to cross this river to get out of the world of the Samanas (ascetics) and the city of Samsara (where he was his lover and merchant mentor).).