Character Analysis: Max Demian

[David P]

Character Analysis: Max Demian
Demian is a puzzling figure. He is obviously very important but only
in terms of his relationship to Sinclair. Serving in the novel as a
Christ-like figure who leads Sinclair in his quest, Demian is also the
spokesman for the philosophical influence of Nietzsche upon Hesse.
Demian seems, at times, like a real character with supernatural qualities.
At other times, he seems more like a figment of Sinclair's imagination or
perhaps his subconscious rather than as a real person. He is probably
somewhere in between. He does, however, serve as Sinclair's daemon, or
inner voice, possibly only through his inspiration, which serves to
activate the deeper recesses of Sinclair's mind. The reader should not be
discouraged if he finds that Demian defies logical explanation. Hesse
intended Demian to be this way.

https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/d/demian/character-analysis/max-demian

[Max Demian]

Yes. I must re-read the novel of my namesake some time. I'm not sure
that analytical notes of literary works are any value, however. I tend
to end up with the work and the notes and no understanding of the
connection between them.

--
Max Demian

[Brian Gaff]

I'm sur I am not alone isn wondering what drugs you are one before you put
this on here?
Who is Sinclair?
Brian

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[Max Demian]

On 27/07/2023 12:09, Brian Gaff wrote:

> I'm sur I am not alone isn wondering what drugs you are one before you put
> this on here?

I take it you haven't read the book. Sinclair is, I think, Demian's best
mate. (As I said, it's a long time since I read the book.)

--
Max Demian

[David P]

Brian Gaff wrote:
> wondering what drugs you are one before you put this on here?
> Who is Sinclair?
> Brian

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Demian: The Story of Emil Sinclair's Youth is a bildungsroman by Hermann Hesse,
first published in 1919; a prologue was added in 1960. Demian was first published
under the pseudonym "Emil Sinclair", the name of the narrator of the story, but Hesse
was later revealed to be the author; the tenth edition was the first to bear his name.

Plot summary
Emil Sinclair is a young boy raised in a middle class home, amidst what is described as
a Scheinwelt, a play on words meaning "world of light" as well as "world of illusion," so
entire existence can be summarised as a struggle between two worlds: the show world
of illusion (related to the Hindu concept of maya) and the real world, the world of spiritual
truth (see Plato's cave and dualism). Accompanied and prompted by his mysterious classmate
and friend 'Max Demian', he detaches from and revolts against the superficial ideals of the
world of appearances and eventually awakens into a realization of self.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demian
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[Max Demian]

The problem with these scholarly explanations of literature (or art) is
they make them seem so complicated I feel I never understood them in the
first place.

--
Max Demian