What does the book Siddhartha say about Heaven and Hell?

Question

And what about suffering? Is it even real?

And what does it say about suicide? When I was reading this book, I couldn't help but think why don't these ascetics commit suicide if they wish to be empty of themselves? I know they believe in reincarnation, but their lives seem to lead towards self-destruction. I hope I haven't gotten the wrong message. Anyway I was truly touched by this book. I've never felt this way almost as if this were the last book I will ever read.

Answer 1

When I read this, and was tested on it. My answer was:

That life is a continuum, and that it will follow similar courses down through generations. And that the continuum is basically unbreakable.

i.e. They say you can't tell a teenager anything, because they know it all already.

When you grow older you realize you don't know everything, but even if you went back in time to tell yourself this, the teenager you would still never believe the adult you.

This is why as a parent it is so hard to watch your children or younger siblings make the same mistake you have already made.

I got an A.

I also own this book now, and sent a copy to my much younger sister in hopes she would grasp something from it.

Answer 2

Not much, really. But what's implied, I think, is that you make your own heaven/hell. And that, in the event that there IS an afterlife, you choose where you want to go.
Now that may sound strange - who'd choose hell, you might ask.
But just look around at all the people who've chosen to live in a hell of their own making in THIS life.