Narcissus and Goldmund

What an interesting story by Herman Hesse, Narcissus and Goldmund. I am trying to understand the meaning of life through the lives of the two main characters, which the book is named.  Goldmund is the young man who wanders away from the monastery where priest in training, Narcissus (the brilliant teacher), has a loving mentorship over his pupil. Goldmund is drawn away from the cloistered school by a beautiful female gypsy who seduces him and Goldmund is off on a life of debauchery, one woman after another.  He has one love affair after another, usually with women who are “unattainable” by seducing them.  He does so with a trusted father figure, taking in her daughter, and then moving to the second daughter before being thrown out of the house.  He has an epiphany and is drawn to the world of art after seeing a statue of a Madonna.  He becomes the apprentice to a well-known sculptor and teacher who runs a business.  Goldmund works for him for many years learning the trade.  As the sculptor becomes too old to continue to lead the business, he turns to Goldmund to take over the business.  When Goldmund rejects him to continue his search in life, he is immediately thrown out again.  Finally, Goldmund, as does the rest of society, faces the Black Plague with death and destruction everywhere.  Goldmund survives the death of so many and is finally reunited with his old friend Narcissus where they discuss their choices and life.  Narcissus represents the analytical and scientific mind whereas Goldmund represents the artist and emotional man, one who has feelings and wants to experience joy.  The story captures ways of living and finding meaning in one’s life.  I find that the “all or nothing” models that are presented cut short the opportunities in our own lives and are less attractive to me.  The one way of living, while may have been a model at some point in human existence, fall short of what I sense in this world today.  A great story to have a good debate.  I still prefer Hesse’s Siddhartha to this one, though still a classic read.  As Dicken’s might say, the tale of two… you get the idea.  Foils are good allegories for us to learn.