14 - Self Discovery

Throughout the week, one of the most important aspects talked about in the bildungsroman book clubs is the concept of self-discovery. Whether it be in the form of a higher conscious or the acceptance of one’s faults, a main aspect that these books share together is that the main character must go through a journey to in order to refine oneself in some way. Demian is not different to this, as the main character Sinclair takes his quest in order to achieve a higher state of mind when he is thrust into the outside world. In the beginning of the novel, Sinclair has a black-and-white view of the world, with his household being a beacon of light in a world filled with sin. He is forced to gradually adapt into this world when he is abused by Hector. 

             Sinclair finds a refuge in the form of Demian, a mysterious but insightful child who is a new student at his school. He solves Sinclair’s issue with Hector in a swift manner and presents Sinclair with a new insight to the interpretation of Bible stories, specifically the mark of Cain. Sinclair immediately rejects this interpretation and flees back to his perceived “light world”, but the actions from Demian’s arrival will no less change the course of Sinclair’s life from this point on. 

Demian, while in the story is treated like a character, has qualities that separate him from the other characters in the story. We know little about his origins and has a guardian angel-like quality in his solutions, coming in the most convenient of times in the story. Demian, in some ways, can be interpreted as the higher state of mind Sinclair tries to achieve in the story – a sign that gives insight into the ideas of self-acceptance and an escape from the problems present in the lower conscious mindset.