People with courage and character always seem sinister to the rest.
According to Max Demian, there are two kinds of people: cowards and people with Cain’s mark. Taking this into account, he doesn’t consider Cain sinister; on the contrary, he thinks that he is an extremely brave man, people with his mark are also brave. It has always been that “people with courage and character always seem sinister to the rest”. This is the simple physiology of a predator and a prey.
I have no idea whether parents can be of help, and I don’t blame mine
Sinclair’s parents and sisters, who are “comforted and respected”, sensed that something was wrong with Sinclair. In spite of all love and tenderness they felt towards him, they proved to be unable to help him. They were oblivious to numerous tragedies of their son’s life and could do nothing to get rid of his loneliness. He was left absolutely alone and later even sent away from home. Emil himself doesn’t have any “idea whether parents can be of help”. He doesn’t even “blame” them. Who knows, were he less lonely, he wouldn’t be able to become a person he is.
You should always ask, always have doubts.
Max Demian is the first person who encourages Emil Sinclair to ask questions. He always repeats that Emil “should always ask, always have doubts”. Max shows him how important it is to concentrate on one’s own thoughts, how great the human mind is, and what wonders can one do. Max also teaches him to think critically and not to believe everything he hears or reads. In other words, Demian shows Emil how to be a truth seeker.
