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Cross-cultural Interpretation of Growth Narratives in Eastern and Western Literature Within the Context of Nature—A Case Study of Siddhartha and Walden
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Abstract
This study employs cross-cultural analysis methods to deeply analyze Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse and Walden by Henry David Thoreau. Starting from the context of nature, it deciphers the similarities and differences between Eastern and Western cultures in terms of the relationship between nature and character growth. The study finds that Siddhartha is deeply influenced by Indian religious culture, where nature symbolizes spiritual enlightenment and the cycle of life, reflecting the profound insights of Eastern culture into the universe and life. The protagonist achieves spiritual liberation in nature. Walden, on the other hand, demonstrates American Transcendentalism, with nature associated with individual spiritual independence and self-improvement, highlighting the importance Western culture attaches to individual values. Despite the different cultural backgrounds, the two works converge in achieving spiritual transcendence and pursuing inner peace through nature. This study opens up a new path for cross-cultural literary research, helps to understand the diversity and commonalities of human growth in different cultural backgrounds, and is of great significance for exploring the uniqueness and commonalities of the spiritual essence of Eastern and Western cultures.
Keywords
Siddhartha; Walden; Nature; Growth Narrative; Cross-cultural Research
References
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Cheng, A. (2007). On the Ecological Significance of Walden: Commemorating the 152nd Anniversary of the Publication of Walden. Foreign Language Research, (04), 101-104.
Li, X. (2021). On the Construction of Ecological Ethics in Siddhartha: Centered on the “River Philosophy”. Foreign Literature Studies, (02), 98-105.
Lin, H. (2023). The Integration of Eastern and Western Thoughts and the Construction of Ecological Ethics: A Cross-Cultural Interpretation of Hesse’s Siddhartha. Foreign Literature Studies, (01), 89-96.
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Zhang, Q. (2019). From “Green Reading” to “Green Reception”: An Analysis of the Content and Boundaries of the Ecological Perspective with Walden as an Example. Journal of Hubei Engineering University, 39(02), 44-48.
Zhang, X. (2015). The Integration of Transcendentalism and Ecological Awareness: An Ecological Philosophical Interpretation of Walden. Journal of Northeast Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), (05), 186-189.
Zhao, H. (2020). Nature in Thoreau’s and Hesse’s Works: From Practical Reflection to Spiritual Awakening. Comparative Literature Studies, (01), 76-83.
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How to cite this paper
Cross-cultural Interpretation of Growth Narratives in Eastern and Western Literature Within the Context of Nature—A Case Study of Siddhartha and Walden
How to cite this paper: Xue Zhao, Dan Yang. (2025). Cross-cultural Interpretation of Growth Narratives in Eastern and Western Literature Within the Context of Nature—A Case Study of Siddhartha and Walden. The Educational Review, USA, 9(9), 792-796.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/er.2025.09.006
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