Vấn đề bản ngã và biểu tượng tôn giáo trong tác phẩm Demian: Câu chuyện tuổi trẻ của Emil Sinclair của Hermann Hesse

Abstract

One of the most common themes explored in modern European literature is the theme of ego, and one of the prominent works exploring such is Demian: The Story of Emil Sinclair's Youth by Hermann Hesse. This paper focuses on the development of Emil Sinclair's sense of self as he explores the inner callings and the escape from rigid traditional moral values. Through the embedded use of religious symbols - such as the world of light, darkness and most prominently Abraxas - in the narrative, Hermann Hesse illustrates the stages of Sinclair’s ego formation and his progressive movement toward self-realization. Through them, the novel addresses not only the quest for personal freedom but also offers a wider perspective on human nature in the modern era, where salvation is only attainable through an inward journey and the full acceptance of the self; within that context, religious symbolism accompanies and supports the individual's process of self-exploration and personal growth.