The Path to Understanding in DemianIn "Demian" by Hermann Hesse, Emil Sinclair becomes a self-aware man after experiencing true friendship and purity of life. Immaturity and innocence surround him as a child until a confidant named Max Demian puts him on the path to understanding himself. After opening his eyes to the weakness of life, the boy realizes the true purpose of his existence. Beginning his life in the “realm of light” (7), Sinclair goes through life being criticized and labeled an outcast. As soon as he tells a little lie in order to gain approval from his peers, inner destruction begins to occur. My state at that time was a kind of madness. Amid the orderly peace of our home, I lived timidly, in agony, like a ghost; I took no part in the lives of others, I rarely forgot myself for an hour at a time. To my father, who was often irritated and asked me what was wrong, I was completely cold. (25) It is only when Demian, whose “manner and bearing were those of a prince in disguise among farm boys” (27), enters her life that things begin to become clear. This new boy seems to look past Sinclair's lonely and depressed appearance, straight into his soul which longs for someone to trust him with all of their secrets and desires. Demian sees a "mark of Cain" (32) on Sinclair's forehead, signifying "a little more intelligence and boldness in his look than people were accustomed to" (29). After many conversations, Sinclair realizes the immensity of Demian's intelligence and that his magnificent mental strength can defeat anyone and anything, including the priest in their conformation class. Demian explains to him the power of his will and his ability to control his mind through concentration. Once he understood... middle of paper ... his messages and thoughts. After Demian has a premonition “that the collapse of an old world is indeed imminent” (160), war breaks out in Russia. Sinclair realizes that he must now separate himself from his beloved people and serve his country on the front lines of battle. Sinclair has the most profound experience of war. After being wounded, a soldier takes him to a shelter where his wounds are dressed and where he finds Demian, lieutenant of the battle. Lying on this bed, in this room, Sinclair recounts his life with Demian. His final thoughts include realizing his strong affinity with Demian and how true the friendship has become. He finally remarks: "Sometimes, when I find the key and penetrate deep within myself, I just have to lean into this dark mirror to contemplate my own image, which now completely resembles him, my brother, my master." (171).