Demian

Demian Summary | Chapter 1 Summary

Emil Sinclair, a grown man, reflects on his coming of age in the early 1900s. His story begins when he is ten years old. In an effort to impress neighborhood bully Franz Kromer, Sinclair invents a story about stealing some apples. Kromer then demands money from Sinclair in return for not telling the merchant he claims to have stolen from. Sinclair doesn't have enough money, so he is subjected to stealing, running errands and being humiliated by Kromer to pay the debt.

Until he runs afoul of Kromer, Sinclair describes his world as a realm of love and lightness with wisdom, duty and words from the Bible. Now, he is experiencing firsthand the forbidden realm of darkness, replete with scandal, drunkards who beat their wives and workmen who tell ghost stories. At times these two worlds overlap, which confuses him all the more. Sinclair hopes to be clear-sighted and unspoiled, but is drawn to the seamier side of life. He fantasizes about enjoying the forbidden, then returning to his family as a prodigal son.

He is also afraid of the effect Kromer is having on him and of the growing distance he feels between himself and his family. Sinclair contemplates killing himself, confessing all to his father or being saved by his mother. He is physically ill at times, but continues to reject the ministrations of his family.