The symbols of the smile and the river in Siddhartha An important symbol in Siddhartha is the smile. Each of the three characters in the story who reach a final state of complete serenity is characterized by a beautiful smile that reflects their peaceful and harmonious state. In any case this smile is a completely natural phenomenon; it cannot be created at will by people who have not achieved the prerequisite state of harmony with life. The first character described as having this smile is Gotama, the Buddha. When Siddhartha sees him for the first time, he recognizes him immediately, especially because of this mysterious smile. Gotama is unflappable and retains his smile - and his equanimity - even when Siddhartha argues with him. As Gotama turns to leave, it is his smile that most deeply impresses Siddhartha, for it epitomizes the peace and holiness of the Buddha. The narrator comments that Siddhartha would remember this smile for the rest of his life. Vesudeva also possesses the mystical smile of peace and harmony. A man of very few words, the ferryman often lets his smile do the talking for him, and is a more effective agent of expression than words might have been. Like the Buddha, Vasudeva is satisfied with being at peace with the world and existence. At first, Siddhartha does not have this radiant smile. He sees it in Gotama and Vasudeva and recognizes the meaning, but he is too absorbed in physical things to be able to smile serenely himself. First, with the Samana, he focuses on controlling his physical needs. Then, through Kamala and Kamaswami, he learns to enjoy sensual pleasures and soon masters this aspect of life. Finally his......middle of paper......and the lingering grief and pain he feels due to his son's departure. One day, when Siddhartha leaves to look for his son, the river speaks to him, but not with its usual reassuring tone. This time the river laughs at him. Siddhartha looks into the water and sees his reflection, but it reminds him of his father. He is reminded of the pain he caused his father years ago when he left, never to return, and gradually senses that the river is indicating to him the repetitive nature of events. Nothing is new, everything is an integral part of a unified whole, including things like the inevitable separation between fathers and children. The various voices of the river, the laughter and the pain, seem to merge, and in the end Siddhartha hears only the sum: the word "Om". Works Cited Hesse, Herman. Siddhartha. Dover Publications, 1998.