Abstract

In the second part of the study the Chiliastic Soul concept is discussed as the goal of unity. This is done by focusing on the Castalian "game" and the death of Joseph Knecht. In addition, evidence is presented for certain fundamental conceptual similarities in the thought of Hesse and Hegel and Hesse and Jung, respectively. The author argues not only for the relevance of dialectics as key to a full understanding of Hesse but for the proposition that Hegel, Jung, and Hesse share a primary intuition of ultimate unity or non-duality which shows striking parallels to the metaphysical foundations of the I Ching, Lao-Tze's tao, and the Vedantic atman-brahman identity. Finally, the death of Joseph Knecht is interpreted as affirmation of transformation in the light of Jungian alchemical symbolism.