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captivating them through the spellbinding narration of Siddhartha's life, hi this respect, this
chapter's view is that the narrative choice of leaving undetermined the issue of reincarnation
represents the film's ideological basis of promoting recognition of the universal values per se
inherent in Buddhist principles, as it places an emphasis on them rather than on the religion's
central belief in reincarnation. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the character
eliciting the strongest forms of viewer attachment within the film's real world narration is not
Jesse, despite his sustained screen presence, but Dean, to whom the narrative gives the role of
embodying Western perspectives with regard to Buddhism. A viewer's 'perception of
narrative action' occurs 'through identification with subject positions instantiated by
characters' (Smith M., 1995: 78) and in Little Buddha, Dean's character plainly expresses a
developing knowledge and respect for Buddhist traditions, concern for the oppression caused
by the Chinese government in Tibet, and scepticism concerning the principle of
reincarnation; consequently, these cognitive and intellectual traits merge into a "person
schema' that viewers can easily recognize (Smith M., 1995: 82). Besides this, close
alignment with Dean is created by giving viewers access to the character s feelings in the
aftermath of his colleague's suicide and to his anxiety over possible bankruptcy;
consequently, viewers broadly empathize with the character's diminishing self confidence.
The turning point is Lama Norbu's serene comment of 'Why should you?' at Dean's
declaration of disbelief in reincarnation, because while it distances the Western culture shared
by the character and by most of the film's viewers from any commitment to believe, it elicits
an interest in knowing more about Buddhist principles to make an informed evaluation of
their worth.
Dean's encounter with Buddhist culture is experienced primarily through Jesse's
innocent gaze, since his curiosity about a different existential dimension becomes contagious,
hi this context, the story of Siddhartha's life, which derives its momentum from the reading
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