Emil Sinclair from Demian

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As I've written more and more of these blog posts, I've realized just how far I've strayed from my given title of a "Confused Political Compass." Maybe it's because these prompts don't cater themselves too well to politics; what can you do?

On the topic of prompts, I'm super confused by what it means to put the pieces back together. Gut instinct was to write about playing with Legos as a kid, but something tells me that wasn't in the spirit of the prompt. I guess we'll have to settle with some discussion over my BBC book.

My topic of interest is Emil Sinclair, the protagonist from Demian. Demian chronicles the intellectual and emotional development of Emil Sinclair, the protagonist and narrator of the story. Sinclair begins the novel as a mentally precocious ten-year-old boy. He has a sense that there is more to the world than what he learns in school and from his parents. At such a young age, he is in no way prepared to move into the world of darkness.

As an adolescent, Sinclair is more interested in women than confirmation classes. At the start of his time in preparatory school, Sinclair makes another attempt to escape thinking about the world. However, he discovers a purpose in life, something to attain to in the form of Beatrice and he reforms his ways. In finding the archetype of the person he wishes to obtain, Sinclair develops an immensely strong desire.

Sinclair meets back up with Demian while he is at university. By now, he has essentially rejected his Christian upbringing and standard societal mores. He is ready to fulfill his greatest desire, in meeting Frau Eva. Here, he finally gets to bask in the glory of a truly welcoming community. As Demian departs from him for the last time, Sinclair is ready to face the world alone. He is confident in his decision to live, attempting to fulfill the desires of his soul and he no longer needs Demian or Eva to constantly support him.

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