Steppenwolf — an interesting take on modern man and society

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I read this book in one sitting this morning and I must say that the main character resonated with me a lot, in the main for his views on the options that man has in relation to society.

It centres around Harry Haller, a middle aged lonely man who cuts a frustrated figure, for he realises that his ideals cannot be realised but yet refuses to accept the pervasive bourgeoisie spirit of the age, represented by empty values, petty pleasures, monotony and intellectual stagnation. The life of comfort and order does not appeal to him, yet he also is unable to break through to live the life of a tragic hero or artist. Here we are reminded of the steppes, the no-land (emphasis mine) that such a figure, metaphorically speaking, inhabits. He is in limbo and therefore contemplates suicide.

I would like to share what Hesse wrote when describing the bourgeoisie spirit;

A man cannot live intensely except at the cost of self. Now the bourgeoise treasures nothing more highly than the self (rudimentary as his may be). And so at the cost of his own intensity he achieves his own preservation and security. His harvest is a quiet mind which he prefers to being possessed by God, as he prefers comfort to pleasure, convenience to liberty, and a pleasant temperature to that deathly inner consuming fire. The bourgeoise…