Narcissus and Goldmund

Summary

Narcissusand Goldmund is the story of a passionate yet uneasy friendship between twomen of opposite character. Narcissus, an ascetic instructor at a cloisterschool, has devoted himself solely to scholarly and spiritual pursuits. One ofhis students is the sensual, restless Goldmund, who is immediately drawn to histeacher’s fierce intellect and sense of discipline. When Narcissus persuadesthe young student that he is not meant for a life of self-denial, Goldmund setsoff in pursuit of aesthetic and physical pleasures, a path that leads him to afinal, unexpected reunion with Narcissus.