In many literary works, characters search for a different or better way of life. In Herman Hesse's novel, Siddhartha, the protagonist Siddhartha wants to achieve Nirvana. This desire leads him on a quest searching for the way of life that will provide him with the most peace. This quest and experience has an overall effect on the literary work.

When Siddhartha was a young man, he became acutely aware that in the entire Brahmin society, even the elders had not reached nirvana. While sitting under a young Banyan tree, Siddhartha realizes that he needs to discover a new way of belief, that the Brahmin beliefs do nothing for his own soul, and that all he is getting from this experience is that he is constantly kept busy. He requests permission from his father to leave and pursue a path that better suits him and his needs. He does...