AP/Honors Book note Authorial Background *Herman Hesse was born in the Black Forest town of Calw, Germany in 1877. *Herman was the son and grandson of Protestant missionaries who had served in India. *He was expected to follow in their footsteps by preparing for the ministry. *He tried, but experienced a religious crisis, fled the seminary and attempted suicide. *Hesse's first major novels displayed some major themes that were to absorb him throughout his career -1st Theme The dichotomy between the two worlds, the drab mundane external world of business and the shining, inner world of art and spirit. -2nd Th