44 pages • 1 hour read
Hermann HesseDemian
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1919A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapter 2Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 2 Summary: “Cain”
Max Demian, who is a new student at Sinclair’s private school, is a few years older than Sinclair, but they cross paths when Demian sits in during Sinclair’s lesson on Cain and Abel. On his walk home, Demian approaches Sinclair to discuss the moral of Cain and Abel’s story. To start their conversation, Demian asks Sinclair about the emblem above his family’s front door, which Demian believes to be a sparrow hawk. The traditional lesson of the biblical story is that Cain is an evil sinner whereas Abel, whom Cain murders, represents goodness and pure intentions. Demian offers Sinclair an alternative perspective: He claims that Cain, who is stronger than Abel, “murdered the weaker one” (23). Sinclair questions this interpretation, but Demian leaves before they can finish the conversation. Sinclair spends his time reflecting on this conversation, noting that “this whole topic of Cain and the murder and the mark was the starting point for all [his] efforts at knowledge, all [his] criticism and doubt” (25).
Demian is mysterious at school, and many of the students, including Sinclair, question his religious beliefs and his wide knowledge base. Sinclair observes that Demian acts like an adult rather than a kid. During this time, Kromer continues to blackmail Sinclair, and he asks Sinclair to bring his older sister to their next meet-up. However, Sinclair worries about Kromer’s intention and promises himself that he will not bring her to Kromer. On his walk home from meeting with Kromer, he sees Demian, and the pair discusses Sinclair’s relationship with Kromer. Although Sinclair does not tell Demian the details, Demian implies that he knows about the blackmail and insists that Kromer must be stopped.
Several days later, Kromer avoids Sinclair when they see each other on the street. Sinclair thanks Demian for helping him and asks how he managed to get Kromer to leave him alone, but Demian does not tell him. Sinclair, who feels relieved to be rid of Kromer, tells his parents about his lie, and he feels free from his sin. He promises himself that he will stay away from Demian, who he thinks exists in the dark world, to maintain his life in the lightness. Several months later, Sinclair is still wondering about Demian’s interpretation of the story of Cain and Abel, so he asks his father about it. His father tells him this is an immoral interpretation and that he should dismiss it entirely.
Chapter 2 Analysis
Max Demian introduces Sinclair to alternate ways of thinking that diverge from the lessons taught at school and home, which closely follow traditional Christian values. Not only does Demian think differently than those at their school and within their community, but he also physically looks different than other people at their school. His ability to stand apart from others causes Sinclair to become both intrigued by and distrustful of Demian. Sinclair observes that Demian is “utterly stamped with his own individual personality” (21), immediately distinguishing him from those around him and creating an air of mystery. Sinclair’s preoccupation with Demian is narratively highlighted by his repeated observations that the older boy is adult-like, indicating Sinclair’s ongoing attempts to classify and understand this intriguing figure. Demian’s introduction establishes him as the Jungian archetype of the guide in Sinclair’s individuation process, furthering the theme of The Process of Individuation and Self-Discovery. Demian also represents Sinclair’s shadow self, in that he holds views that Sinclair’s conscious self opposes but that he feels deeply drawn to regardless. Sinclair has thus far consciously attempted to define himself in terms of right or good and wrong or evil. Demian’s interpretation of the mark of Cain complicates Sinclair’s moral code by introducing him to the importance of independent thought, which initially strikes Sinclair as “wicked blasphemy.” However, Sinclair feels excited about new ways of interpreting stories, especially from the Bible, propelling the internal conflict established in the first chapter regarding his view of darkness and lightness.
Throughout this chapter, Sinclair uses traditional Christian ideals and symbols to put language to his experience and identity. For example, the story of Cain and Abel allows Sinclair to associate himself and identify or role in the world with a traditional story from Christianity, introducing the theme of The Role of Dreams and Symbols in Understanding the Self. Sinclair’s teacher uses the story to reinforce a moral lesson by framing Cain as wholly evil and monstrous. Demian’s interpretation of the mark of Cain allows for Sinclair to view himself as both Cain and Abel. Before Sinclair reveals his lie to his parents, he feels akin to Cain, which gives him an unexpected sense of superiority:
Yes, I had imagined on my own that I was Cain and bore the mark, and that the mark was not a disgrace but a badge of honor; I had felt that my wicked misdeed made me superior to my father, higher than the good and pious people in his world (24).
Sinclair’s temporary alignment with Cain reveals that the dark world continues to appeal to him; it also highlights that the father archetype is increasingly threatened by Sinclair’s moral experimentation.
After revealing his lie to his parents, Sinclair’s identification shifts to Abel, the symbolic prodigal son. The prodigal son is an archetype in many stories and novels and serves as an image of good and pious behaviors. Although Sinclair discovers a thrill from lying and deceiving his family, he also refers to this time in his life as his greatest suffering. Therefore, he desires to be viewed as the prodigal son by his parents:
Then began the emotional celebration of my coming back into the fold—the return of the prodigal son. Mother took me to see Father, the story was repeated, questions and cries of amazement poured forth, both my parents stroked my head and sighed deeply, free at last of their long dejection. Everything was wonderful, just like in the stories; everything was resolved into magnificent harmony (35).
In this moment, not only does Sinclair feel relief at having confessed his actions to his parents, but also his parents relish in having their “prodigal son” back. Through Sinclair’s lie, Hesse explores the child-parent relationship during the child’s loss of innocence. By concealing his lie and exploring new moral positions, Sinclair attempts to define his identity as his parents hold onto his innocence, creating conflict in their relationship. The narrator—Sinclair’s older, reflective self—compares this experience to stories, including biblical ones like Cain and Abel, as he attempts to make sense of his past experience. After he tells his parents the truth, Sinclair reflects that he does not “want to renounce Abel and glorify Cain” as Demian suggested (35). For Sinclair, especially as a child, harmony and purity can only exist when his actions align with the lessons taught by his parents and his community.
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By Hermann Hesse
