AP PREP POST 1: SIDDHARTHA

A)

1. If you were the river, would you be enlightenment or would you know enlightenment? In other words, what’s up with the river? What is it’s relation to enlightenment?
2. What does enlightenment look like in Siddhartha? Is it a feeling? An attitude?
3. What purpose does self-denial serve in Siddhartha? What about self-indulgence?
4. Siddhartha features substantial activity and narrative action. At the same time, it is about one man’s largely internal spiritual quest. What is the relationship between the internal and exterior worlds of Siddhartha? How does Siddhartha negotiate these worlds?
5. What is the subject of the dream which convinces of Siddhartha that he must leave town?

B)

1. Although unable to answer this question completely or thoroughly with the small portion of text we read, I will take it into my hands to assume that water, as it often does, stands for purity or to be reborn, to be cleansed. So if I was the river, I would be enlightenment, washing away the ignorance, and the impure aspects. In order to answer this question thoroughly and *correctly,* a bigger portion of the text is necessary, or at least a part where the river is mentioned specifically, or merely Siddhartha's thoughts on the river.
2. Enlightenment takes on both a feeling and an attitude in Siddhartha. He completely changes his course of life because of this awakening/enlightenment, his attitude is now to find where he belongs and who he is. Yet he also describes it as somewhat painful, a feeling of despair at knowing that he is alone, yet he feels that it is a rebirth.
3. (Unable to answer.) In order to answer this question more of the text would be needed.
4. (Unable to answer) The internal and exterior worlds of Siddhartha parallel in a sense. If Siddhartha is in an extremely ascetic state, it means he is not self-indulging or doing things that may be against their beliefs, etc.
5. (Unable to answer.) In order to answer this question we would need to read more of the text before the excerpt that we read.

C)

Doing these questions made me realize that I must practice my writing and read more texts in order to prepare. It also made me realize that I do not have the best eyes when searching for literary elements. I need to work on quickly comprehending the message the author is trying to send, as well as being able to quickly shape and jot down my ideas. The best thing I can do at this point is practice, practice, practice. With enough practice through these kind of exercise, with reading texts, and talking over my writing, I am sure I can pass that AP test.


http://www.shmoop.com/siddhartha/questions.html (1-3)
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/siddhartha/study.html (4)
http://www.gradesaver.com/siddhartha/study-guide/quiz1/ (5)