Travis Spader Mr. Nunan AP English Literature and Composition 25 April 2024 Paper 7 - The Final Paper
This year's AP English Literature and Composition featured numerous works that were all unique in their own aspects. Out of all the works I have read, Siddhartha, King Lear, and Death and the Maiden stood out to me the most. Siddhartha highlights the importance of questioning and how it is needed for one to grow. Specifically, this idea is notably seen in Siddhartha’s own personal struggle with religion. In King Lear, the play ends in a tragic conclusion, where nearly every character is killed off. Most importantly, the death of Cordelia at the end of the play stood out immensely as it was seemingly purposeless. Analyzing Death and the Maiden,…show more content… He questions if, “...the sacrifices give a happy fortune...” and “[was] it really Prajapati who created the world?” (3). Siddhartha questions if such sacrifices were purely a custom to feel good, rather than the truth. He has great doubt about the gods, and if they are even important in one's journey to enlightenment and at all. While Siddhartha has learned nearly all there is to know about Hinduism, he has questions that no one can seem to answer. Rather than merely conceding to his aspirations, Siddhartha decides to seek answers independently and embark on his own journey to Nirvana. Siddhartha’s ambition to reach enlightenment becomes somewhat of an unhealthy addiction as it stops him from being happy and at peace where he is at the moment. Siddhartha attempts to learn every ounce of knowledge from his Brahman peers to further his knowledge of the world. He grows addicted to the search for knowledge and answers, and his attempts to learn from other people lead him nowhere. This moment of Siddhartha challenging the religion that he has been taught his whole life stood out immensely. As a young adult, I find myself
