Chapter 2, pgs. 57-87 Summary and Analysis

Hermann arrives in Tubingen on October 17, 1895. He visits his sister Marulla. He wrote many letters telling of his life in Tubingen and his days at Heckenhauer's Bookstore. He worked twelve hours days, six days a week at the bookstore and describes all the employees in his letters. Little by little he developed a social life by visiting one of his aunts and becoming involved in music. He also visited some student friends he knew from the various schools he had attended. In spite of this, he still felt lonely and isolated.

Hesse became an avid reader. He suffered from anxiety, headaches and insomnia. He viewed his work at the bookstore as preparation for his future role as a writer. Hermann spends a pleasant Christmas with his family in Calw and New Year's Day with the Haerings. As...