Demian

As an adult, Sinclair notes that his childhood has many “beautiful, wonderful, tender memories,” but he emphasizes that he only will discuss “the things that felt new, that pushed [him] onward, broke [him] loose” (37). As he enters his adolescence, Sinclair discusses how his sexual awakening conflicts with the values and morals of his religious upbringing. While taking a class with Demian for their confirmation, Sinclair attempts to avoid Demian, but they begin to develop a friendship that allows them to reflect on their lessons from class and how they interpret the stories from the Bible. In one of their lessons, the pastor teaches the story of Cain and Abel, which creates common ground for Demian and Sinclair to re-establish their friendship after a couple of years of not interacting. Throughout their time in confirmation class, Demian sits next to Sinclair so they can talk to each other about their interpretations of these stories.

Sinclair reflects on how Demian teaches him to anticipate people’s actions and behaviors by watching them closely. Demian claims this is how he reads people’s minds, and he tells Sinclair that if someone desires something enough, then they can accomplish it. However, Demian also claims that people do not have free will.