Part One: 

The Brahmin's Son

Siddhartha's character in the book is seen by his people as a gift from the gods. The first chapter describes him as a social marvel for his "perfect breeding" and his intelligence. Though to his people he is an adored and revered figure, Siddhartha sees no substance in it. In a way he detaches himself from these "human" musings because Siddhartha's ambitions are, in his mind, not relevant to human society; he seeks things that are much more than him. He seeks a matter that is much more than material and a sense of being that is much more than human. Even the way he addresses his father is in a sort of omniscient, removed way. When they speak of their relationship Siddhartha refers to himself in third person: "Siddhartha has always obeyed his father", "Siddhartha will do what his father says". He uses his name, the name his father and his mother gave him, the name of his body, rather than saying "I". For saying "I" relates to his whole being, his Atman included, rather than just his human being. Siddhartha respects and obeys the laws of his family and his society, but he does not live them as other Brahmins do. He is led by a larger force, a passion that goes beyond himself and beyond his world, which will lead him away from his family and the life of his people and towards his perceived enlightened destiny.