Unequal Enlightenment

In Siddhartha by Herman Hesse, several people attain enlightenment. Siddhartha, Gotama, Govinda, and Vasudeva all achieve enlightenment, and this shared tie connects them, but the ways in which they achieve enlightenment make the distinctions between them all very clear. Also, the ways in which Hesse presents these characters, not just their accomplishments, greatly influences the way in which the reader views the characters and therefore the way in which they view a character’s accomplishments. Vasudeva and Gotama seem to be the two purest or most intelligent of the enlightened characters, before and after their enlightenment. Siddhartha and Gotama both go about enlightenment in ways that are frowned upon or easily questioned. Although Govinda, Gotama, Vasudeva, and Siddhartha all achieve enlightenment, it is difficult to respect them equally for this accomplishment because of the ways in which they go about attaining enlightenment.
Gotama and Vasudeva both achieve enlightenment in such a way that they seem to be the more intelligent and respectable of the four who are eventually enlightened. Not much is given about Gotama’s background other than the fact the he is the Buddha. The Buddha is presented in such a manner that he instantly commands respect. He seems to be a serene and divine being, revered by everyone, even Siddhartha. He is not described as having any faults other than the fact that he tries to teach something that may not be teachable. Vasudeva is similarly respectable. He is enlightened but he did not set out to become enlightened like Siddhartha, Gotama, and Govinda. He just lives his life and thinks about the way he and others live. He also is not shown at an utter low like Siddhartha.
Siddhartha sets out to experience. He does so and even though he intends to do most of the things he does, it is easy to fault him for his actions because he clearly lacks any regard for the people around him. Initially, in his quest to discover himself, he shows a clear disdain for teaching figures. Then he meets a pretty courtesan and he becomes the perfect student. While there is more the Siddhartha’s actions than just the surface intent, the immature, erratic and seemingly careless path he follows taints the final image of one who has been enlightened. Govinda is not easily likable, in part because he asks the questions that have obvious answers, making him seem unworthy or enlightenment. Also he is the only main character who does not achieve enlightenment through his own actions and meditation. While he makes an independent choice and stands by his decision in pursuit of enlightenment, he seems to be less respectable than the other characters.
While all of these characters attain enlightenment, their backgrounds and life paths impose a sort of scale on how enlightened they really seem to be. They are all enlightened, but after getting to know them as the characters or people they were before they became enlightened, it is easy to judge them and view their enlightenment as different and worthy of varying levels of respect.