Demian
Reflection: The main point of this book is that of your inner spirit, and how it can be in conflict with your outer morality. Hesse argues that many people see the world as a good (light; home, morality, order) side in conflict with a bad (dark; sin, temptation, chaos) side.
If a person's inner spirit is not in line with the good side, then a person has to repress the inner spirit constantly, which will feel horrible. Instead, Hesse argues, one should not deny this 'bad' side, but instead follow the inner spirit along for the ride and, just like one does for the good side, let it be part of you.
Throughout the story, the main character moves across this good/bad split and starts listening more to his inner spirit. By exploring the dark side, he starts understanding more about himself which leads him to despair at first, but eventually he lives more 'honest' and complete.
A key symbol in this journey is Abraxas, a god who represents both light and darkness. Rather than dividing the world into moral opposites, Abraxas unites them, suggesting that real spiritual maturity comes not from choosing 'good' or 'bad' sides, but from accepting the full range of human experience. With this, Hesse challenges traditional religion and morality, offering a vision of wholeness where even meaning can be found in our darker sides.
I found the book hard to follow at times, mostly because I took the events too literal, whereas Hesse explained the events through the eyes of the main character in a symbolic/psychological way. Overall a very interesting book.