Journey to the East | Topics for Discussion & Projects

Journey to the East Topics for Discussion

What does Hesse mean when he says "artists sometime appeared to be only half-alive, while their creations seemed so irrefutably alive" (pp. 33-34)? How does this relate to Hesse's own creation of the narrator H.H.?

What role does Christianity play in "The Journey to the East"?

The character of Leo appears both as a servant and as the President of the League. While acting as President, he refers to "the servant Leo" in the third person (pp. 101-106) Are the servant Leo and the President Leo the same person? What is Hesse's reason for referring to Leo in two different ways?

Discuss Hesse's depiction of the artistic process in the book. What do you think Hesse's view is of the role of the artist or author in society?

Does Hesse intend the League to represent any actual group or movement? What about "The Journey"?

The story contains several mystical aspects...
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