Hermann Hesse’s Demian (1919) explores the coming-of-age journey of Emil Sinclair as he develops his sense of self and understanding of the duality of humanity. The novel is set in Germany in the early 20th century between World War I and World War II, and it adheres to the Bildungsroman genre. Hesse also utilizes philosophical thought, including Jungian psychology, Gnostic Christianity, and Nietzsche, to shape Sinclair’s self-discovery journey. The novel explores themes regarding the importance of mentorship, the role of symbolism, and the process of self-discovery.

Hermann Hesse is known for works that delve into spirituality and individualism, including Demian and Siddhartha. Hesse won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1946 as well as the Goethe Prize and the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade.

This guide refers to the 2013 paperback edition published by Penguin Books and translated by Damion Searls.

Content Warning: The source text and this study guide contain depictions of alcohol misuse and suicidal ideation.

Plot Summary

The novel is structured around key moments in Emil Sinclair’s life that impacted his perspective on both his identity and the world around him. It begins with one of the first pivotal moments in Sinclair’s life. At the age of 10, Sinclair views the world in two spheres: a dark and light world. The “bright world” consists of his family and the traditional, Christian values that encompass the morally right, whereas the darker side of the world is composed of the morally incorrect or evil. Sinclair decides to tell a lie to a neighborhood boy, Franz Kromer, about stealing apples from a local orchard. Kromer blackmails Sinclair, and Sinclair is indebted to Kromer until he can pay him off. However, Kromer continues to blackmail Sinclair for stealing money to pay him.

During this time, Sinclair feels intrigued by the darker world, and he worries that his sin of lying will force him out of the “bright world” that his family inhabits. At school, he meets an older boy, Max Demian, who approaches Sinclair about a school lesson regarding the story of Cain and Abel. Demian reveals to Sinclair an alternate interpretation of the story that views Cain as being strong and courageous rather than evil. He also mentions how much he likes the emblem of the sparrow hawk above the front door of Sinclair’s home. This interpretation both scares and intrigues Sinclair. As they develop a friendship, Sinclair reveals that Kromer creates turmoil in his life, and Demian convinces Kromer to leave Sinclair alone. Sinclair tells his parents about the events with Kromer, and he feels relieved to be away from Kromer. He decides to end his relationship with Demian with the fear that he may lead him further into the dark side.

After a few years without much contact, Sinclair and Demian are in confirmation class together, and they begin to rekindle their friendship after another lesson on the story of Cain and Abel. During this time, Sinclair begins to question his religious views, and he decides to interpret the biblical stories he learns in class in new ways. Demian and Sinclair also explore Sinclair’s concept of the duality of the world, and Demian reveals that he believes all sides of humanity should be worshipped. Sinclair feels validated by Demian’s beliefs.

Sinclair’s parents send him to boarding school, and he loses contact with Demian. He befriends an older classmate, Alfons Beck, and begins misusing alcohol and ignoring his schoolwork. His father visits him when Sinclair is at risk of expulsion, but Sinclair does not change his ways until he sees a young girl at the park. He names this girl Beatrice, but he never formally introduces himself to her. Instead, she becomes his inspiration to begin painting and re-engaging with developing his sense of self. During this time, he sees Demian around the holidays. When Sinclair picks up painting, he paints an image of who he believes to be a combination of Beatrice and Demian. However, he realizes that he painted a version of himself as well.

At boarding school, Sinclair begins to have intense dreams, including of the sparrow hawk on the emblem above his parents’ door. He paints the hawk and mails it to Demian. Shortly thereafter, he discovers a note in his schoolbooks about discovering his true self, and it speaks about a god, Abraxas. Sinclair believes the note came from Demian, and he realizes that his class lesson that day revolves around the same deity. He learns that Abraxas symbolizes both the holy and Satanic parts of life. Sinclair soon meets Pistorius, who plays the organ at a local church and desires to become a priest. They build a friendship around philosophical debates, and Sinclair views him as a guide in his life, like Demian. However, Sinclair eventually views Pistorius’s viewpoint as outdated, and their friendship ends. During this time, Sinclair, who does not have many friends at school, engages with a classmate, Knauer. Knauer seeks guidance regarding spiritual topics from Sinclair, but Sinclair does not maintain a friendship with him.

While still in boarding school, Sinclair continues to dream of the sparrow hawk as well as a woman who lives in his parents’ house. In his dream, he visits his family home and hugs the woman, who he believes to be his mother. However, he realizes that she is not his mother. He paints the woman, and he soon learns that the figure is Demian’s mother, Frau Eva, or Eve. While studying at a university, he discovers Demian on one of his walks, and he meets Eve the next day. He begins developing a relationship with Eve and spends most of his time at their house. He claims to be initiated with a group that all bears the mark of Cain. Sinclair sees Demian go into a trance-like state, and he goes outside to see the sparrow bird in the clouds. Both Demian and Sinclair have bad feelings about the future of the world. Soon, both go off to war. Sinclair is wounded in battle, and he dreams of Demian kissing him before he wakes up. When he wakes up, Sinclair looks in a mirror and claims that he looks like his guide.