Part 2: "Amongst the People" Summary

In the next stage of his journey, Siddhartha meets another person who is rich, a merchant named Kamaswami. At first, the shopkeeper thinks Siddhartha is just a poor man with no skills or abilities. However, when Siddhartha shows Kamaswami that he can read and write, the merchant is very impressed. He invites Siddhartha to live with him, and Siddhartha agrees.

Very soon, Kamaswami begins to confer with Siddhartha about business matters. However, to Siddhartha, business is nothing more than a game. He is only working so he can wear fine clothes and shoes when he visits Kamala. He begins to feel, once again, that life is passing him by.

Part 2: "Amongst the People" Analysis

In this chapter, Hesse continues to develop the theme of how adults are like children. Many of the adults Siddhartha meets...