I’m going to telll you about a protagonist, from one of my favorite books, who is also an antagonist. It may seem strange or unusual, but from my point of view, dividing characters into “good” and “bad” guys is pointless. As for us: humans, our nature is the combination of both. Hence there is no specific or absolute positive and negative side.
Herman Hesse creates his hero: Harry with a very complicated character, complex way of thinking, which tortures him his whole life until he finds out the secret code to living.
The name Steppenwolf is given to Harry, because he doesn’t consider himself a part of the society, and wolf is to highlight his other essence. While bringing that topic up, he doesn’t hesitate to insist about humans multi-divided spirits and the many other different selves rather than one.
I won’t be afraid to say, though The Steppenwolf has an uncanny personality to most of the people, his ideas are of the essence (even if they’re too real, they may hurt some people). One of his quotes is “Every piece of struggling reminds you of your high title, therefore pain is what you should be proud of”.
“Most men will not swim before they are able to.” Is that not witty? Naturally, they won’t swim! They are born for the solid earth, not for the water. And naturally they wont think. They are made for life, not for thought. Yes, and he who thinks, what’s more, he who makes thought his business, he may go far in it, but he has bartered the solid earth for the water all the same, and one day he will drown.”
Like there are people, who are inclined to sweating even during a slight illness, there are characters, whom we call “suicidal”. They are highly sensitive and always easily impressed and even a little shock they give themselves to the idea of suicide.
Let’s not forget this is his reality and true in his world.
The whole book takes you on a long and sometimes exhausting journey (which is life, obviously), but it’s worth it, because subsequently you’ll discover the secret code of life, which is simple. Good luck on your journey.
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