AP Prep Post 1: Siddhartha

Question 1: What does enlightenment look like in Siddhartha? Is it a feeling? Is it an attitude?
http://www.shmoop.com/siddhartha/questions.html

In the passage we read, Siddhartha is traveling along a road, realizing that he is not the same person he was before. This whole epiphany seems to be more than just a feeling or an attitude. It's almost a physical thing, so strong and powerful that it causes Siddhartha to change his agenda completely. In fact, it's actually causing new attitudes and feelings in himself.

Question 2: How do Siddhartha's beliefs and teachings apply to modern life?
http://www.pkwy.k12.mo.us/homepage/cstout/File/Siddhartha_-_ESSAY_PROMPTS.pdf

Siddhartha's questioning of who he is is something that a lot of people in today's world can relate to. Many people are stuck at a crossroads, coming to see that what their life was like until then is no longer the same. The way he reacts and changes in the moment we are reading about is a good example of someone using their epiphany to make some change. Siddhartha could feel the change, he knew something needed to be done, and he took action. He changed his direction away from his father's house, and began walking away to somewhere new.

Question 3: Choose a distinguished novel or play in which some of the most significant events are mental or psychological; for example, awakenings, discoveries, changes in consciousness. In a well-organized essay, describe how the author manages to give these internal events the sense of excitement, suspense, and climax usually associated with external action. Do not merely summarize the plot. (Prompt 1988)
http://mseffie.com/AP/APOpenQuestions.html

This open-ended AP prompt is perfect for the use of Siddhartha. This passage is a very significant "awakening." The author painted a very good picture of the thought process going through Siddhartha's mind.  He asks himself many questions, trying to figure out what the next step is. He sees and almost seems jealous of Govinda and his place in life. Why can't he find that? And why is he so alone? The reader can sense a good deal of panic and wonder coming from Siddhartha. Since we only had this passage to read, we don't know what happened after Siddhartha decides to not go to his father's home, which left us with a lot of suspense.

Question 4: Consider Siddhartha’s relationship with Govinda. How are they similar, and how are they different? What are the narrative functions of Govinda’s reappearance throughout the novel? How does their relationship impact the novel’s ending?
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/siddhartha/study.html

Govinda is mentioned once in the passage we read. Siddhartha remarks on how he "had become a monk and thousands of monks were his brothers, wore the same gown, shared his beliefs and spoke his language." It seems like Govinda has settled into his place at the world, and has many who respect him and what he does. Siddhartha on the other hand is lost and does not have a solid place. Other than this, we don't see much on their relationship. We'd have to read more to figure that out.

Question 5: When is Siddhartha most attentive to the natural environment around him? When is he least attentive? Now think about is spiritual awakenings. Do the two mesh in any way?
http://www.gradesaver.com/siddhartha/q-and-a/1-when-is-siddhartha-most-attentive-to-the-natural-environment-around-him-when-is-he-least-attentive-now-think-about-is-spiritual-awakenings-do-the-two-mesh-in-any-way-94143/

Now I wanted to pick a question that I think the passage alone can't answer. Reading more of the novel and about Siddhartha's environment could definitely lead to the answer.