Narcissus & Goldmund

A detailed Summary of Narcissus & Goldmund

Narcissus & Goldmund, by Herman Hess, contains a distinct cyclical

structure. This structure is contributed to through characters, themes,

ideas, times, and places. Each of these elements facilitate the

development of an organized, creative work, delving deep into the human

psyche to reveal that both Narcissus and Goldmund are players in the

There are three separate cycles present in the novel. The first cycle

occurs during the first year or two after Goldmund has left Mariabronn.

It concludes with Goldmund witnessing a woman giving birth. He sees in

her face the face of all of the women he has ever been with, and this

connection between love and birth purges him of the sterile passion he

felt for Lydia. Characters in this cycle, almost exclusively women, are

seen as objects. They are erotic, sensual, and physical, but nothing

else. They have no dimension beyond that of a sexual outlet for

Goldmund's blind passions. There is an impression of a transience present

in the mother-world, manifested in Goldmund's many relationships. This

is demonstrated most clearly through Lise, when,

Time was important here, as it played a role in Goldmund's capture.

between Goldmund and his lovers occur at night, and bears a strong

In the third and final cycle, Goldmund experiences a relationship with

Approximate Word count = 761
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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