Never let go of the stories we tell ourselves, the stories are the only way we can process reality, in our own language in our own Pace in our own atmosphere, a buffer we construct to deal with the whole world
I read this book in 1969, as growing in that time was very confusing with so much talk of the fear of the atomic bomb being dropped. Hesse helped me to realize my life was to be outside the world's program. He helped me to know I was not alone in my confusion of the world. I had to discover and create my own version. Not all of us fit in the program.
I think Hermiony was representation of innocent love. And that was the last part of Harry holding him to the real world. He considers himself the man and the wolf. But he is unwilling to admit a trinity. The third part being his need for human connection. This part of himself he denies throughout the story. When with Maria the connection his has with her only sexual. This is why he happily leaves her for Hermiony in the end. Hermiony is authoritarian and commanding in Harry's life. This is the way society and over people make demands of you in order to become a part of the greater whole of humanity. In the end, Harry learns how he can become a part of this whole by in keeping with the demands of society, whilest also continuing to maintain that part of himself he sees as an indervidual. This is through humour. Humour, Mozart teaches Harry, is the shield he must use in order to reconnect with the conformity of society without having to truly conform.
Fabulous insights here. You really break this novel down so succinctly and effectively. I just finished reading this one and your analysis really helps to clarify some aspects and complexities of the book. Thanks for this video!
Thank you. Good job! I read Steppenwolf in mid-1960s. It had some cachet in the counterculture then. Hope to reread it again (for the third time), reflecting on you analysis. I really appreciate your thoughtful critique. Look forward to seeing other videos here.
I saw the character of Harry as being self aware - more-so than the conformist society he distanced himself from. I saw his awareness of hedonistic society as a parallel to Nietzsche's last man and admired his willingness to distance himself from it. I felt that his surrender to it in the magic theater was unfortunate. P.S. I didn't pick up on "Hairy Howler" as the Steppenwolf until my 3rd read of the book.
Thanks for the great analysis. Certainly an interesting book. A little too wordy for me but I enjoyed how Hermine turned Harry's psyche around (or gid he do that himself??) 😂I could certainly relate to the depressed, inward-looking Harry!
Literally just finished this book. I found it depressing as the character is clearly going through a crisis. Then I found it enlightening in how he grasps life. I hope he didn’t kill a real Hermione. Hopefully as you say Hermione is a figment if his imagination. But as you say , the whole found manuscript could be a figment of his imagination. I can see why it’s a classic. Can’t say it’s enjoyable but definitely thought provoking.
Dont you like how he wakes up to the fact that we are capable of enslaving ourselves with images of ourselves and those that we hold of others assuming that our own way of being in life is more valuable or not than the next person. It depends. Hamaine brings Harry to the authentic self when he begins to see that every one has a story to tell. There is no one holding the manual of making out what life really entails. The poverty stricken must use their mind to convince themselves to stay alive and it may take all that that harry is going thru. It may take creativity to rise above self. Hamaine tells her story and that of Maria to indicate that; like Steppenwolf book what the cover looks like cannot tell about the content. We are all many things acording to those thought created images plus our memory of our experiences. I have read this book very slowly and I eventually when harry enters the mad people’s world I enter with him and did not leave his sight, I became one with him. A great thought provoking book.
Thank-you for your review, I have just started to read this book and I now know I will get so much more out of reading it after watching your review. 😊
Thank you! I do prepare with loose notes, but I don't like to read a script since it makes it more stilted for me, and of course, the lack of script gives you a bit of creativity if you think of something while recording. :)
I thought the prose was a bit too much. I read an English translation. But as a non native, I couldn't appreciate all the beautiful sentences and thought that they were in the way to understand the story.. Or that's just my steppenwolf saying that this is too snobby. Great review!
I read the book ages ago and I loved it. It was regarded as a cult book in the hippie sixties when I read it. I saw the film of the book. I would not recommend the film.
I read Hesse mainly in my teens, at the time he was my favorite author ĥe did influence my worldview but this was before I became a Christian and Hesse wasn't a believer the last book I read of his was Narrcisse and Goldman which I read in my 30s the book was a mockery of the church and openly celebrated carnal sexual adventures
What do we think about this one? Do you think it's possible to let go of the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves?
Yes, since the reality we experience and the stories we tell ourselves are just guesses of our concioussness.
Never let go of the stories we tell ourselves, the stories are the only way we can process reality, in our own language in our own Pace in our own atmosphere, a buffer we construct to deal with the whole world
I read this book in 1969, as growing in that time was very confusing with so much talk of the fear of the atomic bomb being dropped. Hesse helped me to realize my life was to be outside the world's program. He helped me to know I was not alone in my confusion of the world. I had to discover and create my own version. Not all of us fit in the program.
I think Hermiony was representation of innocent love. And that was the last part of Harry holding him to the real world. He considers himself the man and the wolf. But he is unwilling to admit a trinity. The third part being his need for human connection. This part of himself he denies throughout the story. When with Maria the connection his has with her only sexual. This is why he happily leaves her for Hermiony in the end. Hermiony is authoritarian and commanding in Harry's life. This is the way society and over people make demands of you in order to become a part of the greater whole of humanity. In the end, Harry learns how he can become a part of this whole by in keeping with the demands of society, whilest also continuing to maintain that part of himself he sees as an indervidual. This is through humour. Humour, Mozart teaches Harry, is the shield he must use in order to reconnect with the conformity of society without having to truly conform.
Just finished this book so I’ve been looking up reviews and reading guides. This definitely helped me understand the book better. Thank you!!
Fabulous insights here. You really break this novel down so succinctly and effectively. I just finished reading this one and your analysis really helps to clarify some aspects and complexities of the book. Thanks for this video!
wow, I‘m amazed by the depth of your review, it‘s very inspiring to hear about the greater patterns you found reading the book!
Thanks, glad you think so! :)
just finished this book, i really like it! the writing is beautiful. i enjoyed your review :)
Thank you. Good job! I read Steppenwolf in mid-1960s. It had some cachet in the counterculture then. Hope to reread it again (for the third time), reflecting on you analysis. I really appreciate your thoughtful critique. Look forward to seeing other videos here.
I saw the character of Harry as being self aware - more-so than the conformist society he distanced himself from. I saw his awareness of hedonistic society as a parallel to Nietzsche's last man and admired his willingness to distance himself from it. I felt that his surrender to it in the magic theater was unfortunate.
P.S. I didn't pick up on "Hairy Howler" as the Steppenwolf until my 3rd read of the book.
Great video man, liked the pace as well, not too fast and not too slow.
Thanks, glad you liked it! :)
Great summary! Really enjoyed the dialogue. Thanks Joshua!
No worries, glad you enjoyed it! :)
Thanks for the great analysis. Certainly an interesting book. A little too wordy for me but I enjoyed how Hermine turned Harry's psyche around (or gid he do that himself??) 😂I could certainly relate to the depressed, inward-looking Harry!
This is art. Brilliant crit. Thank you.
Haha well thank you, I appreciate that! :)
Literally just finished this book. I found it depressing as the character is clearly going through a crisis. Then I found it enlightening in how he grasps life. I hope he didn’t kill a real Hermione. Hopefully as you say Hermione is a figment if his imagination. But as you say , the whole found manuscript could be a figment of his imagination. I can see why it’s a classic. Can’t say it’s enjoyable but definitely thought provoking.
Dont you like how he wakes up to the fact that we are capable of enslaving ourselves with images of ourselves and those that we hold of others assuming that our own way of being in life is more valuable or not than the next person. It depends. Hamaine brings Harry to the authentic self when he begins to see that every one has a story to tell. There is no one holding the manual of making out what life really entails. The poverty stricken must use their mind to convince themselves to stay alive and it may take all that that harry is going thru. It may take creativity to rise above self. Hamaine tells her story and that of Maria to indicate that; like Steppenwolf book what the cover looks like cannot tell about the content. We are all many things acording to those thought created images plus our memory of our experiences. I have read this book very slowly and I eventually when harry enters the mad people’s world I enter with him and did not leave his sight, I became one with him. A great thought provoking book.
In case you didn't know about Hesse is
he went through a mental breakdown
Great video! I loved Steppenwolf
Thank-you for your review, I have just started to read this book and I now know I will get so much more out of reading it after watching your review. 😊
I felt the magic theatre was a psychedelic trip- guided by Pablo.
Good analysis, impressive as it seemed mostly free hand.
Thank you! I do prepare with loose notes, but I don't like to read a script since it makes it more stilted for me, and of course, the lack of script gives you a bit of creativity if you think of something while recording. :)
Great analysis
I thought the prose was a bit too much. I read an English translation. But as a non native, I couldn't appreciate all the beautiful sentences and thought that they were in the way to understand the story.. Or that's just my steppenwolf saying that this is too snobby.
Great review!
I absolutely love this book. I’ve always been drawn to it. I’m bipolar, so maybe that is way😂
I read the book ages ago and I loved it. It was regarded as a cult book in the hippie sixties when I read it. I saw the film of the book. I would not recommend the film.
Never has a man looked more English in a thumbnail
I read this book in 2024, in Ukraine...during the war. I felt Harry thoughts about the world and situation. 😢
That's a dangerous place to rest that glass of water
Nah, it looks more precarious than it was! :P
@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall 💦📚
Too fast talking
Too slow hearing
I read Hesse mainly in my teens, at the time he was my favorite author ĥe did
influence my worldview but this was
before I became a Christian and Hesse
wasn't a believer the last book I read of
his was Narrcisse and Goldman which
I read in my 30s the book was a mockery of the church and openly
celebrated carnal sexual adventures