Writing Assignment 2 – Demian: Concept of ‘Magical thinking’

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August 17, 2019
Writing Assignment 2 – Demian
1 Discuss various aspects of Demian and Frau Eva which can be attributed to Hesse’s concept of ‘Magical thinking’
Herman Hesse’s novel entitled Demian was not only targeted to entertain its audience but also to inform them of how we view reality as well as how many people achieve intellectual maturity. In fact, the concept of ‘magical thinking’ was a product of Sigmund Freud’s conception about how humans view their own thoughts in relation to the external reality that exists outside of their minds. Magical thinking is the phenomenon or the belief that a man’s ideas, thoughts, or use of symbols could have an effect on the outside world (Vandenberg). In line with Hesse’s work, both Demian and Frau Eva shows how this belief is important for the realization of one’s true self. On the one hand, Demian has become Sinclair’s ‘inner daemon’ that urges him to question his own reality (Shannon). He was always portrayed as an outcast from society, as he does not believe nor follow its ways. Additionally, Demian’s innate introspective character that believes and urges Sinclair to shape his thoughts and believe in them in order for them to be realized in Sinclair’s external world.
On the other hand, Frau Eva’s character is also a by-product of magical thinking. One of the distinguishing aspects of her character was her steadfast belief in the “religious rebirth of an individual” (Shannon). As could be seen at the end of the story, Eva would even be Sinclair’s representation of his ‘ideal woman’ as portrayed in his paintings. Although she was almost always portrayed with a motherly figure (Urmutter), her beliefs that she is necessary for Sinclair’s rebirth shows how the use of symbols could affect the world outside our own minds. A woman of independence, knowledge, and desire, which are things that Sinclair have always sought after.   
 
2 In what ways do Demian and Pistorius emphasize that morality is relative to the individual?
Just like the reliance on the concept of ‘magical thinking’ to ideas espoused by scholars, morality in the story was also defined based on the teachings of ethics and anthropology. Specifically, both Demian and Pistorius believed that morality cannot be classified between black and white, but a wide spectrum of colors that could depend based on the place and the context of the situation (Shannon). While it might seem different, it must be noted that this idea is fully embraced in the field of Anthropology and is more commonly called as “cultural relativism” (AllAboutPhilosophy.Org). It emanates from the idea that since no culture is more ‘superior’ than others, then it also means that no prescribed ethical repertoire should also be deemed as better than the other. In the story, the contrast between this belief in relativism and traditional moral ethics would be shown through Sinclair’s development. In the beginning, Sinclair was depicted as a child who was always protected and was raised with traditional mora...