Goldmund is to study in the monastery Mariabronn. His father sent him there. There he meets a religious monk named Narziss. He has subjected himself to a strict life and lives completely ascetically.

The young Goldmund is sent by his father to study in the monastery Mariabronn and meets there on the religious monastic student Narcissus. Narcissus has dedicated himself to the ascetic and austere life in the monastery with heart and soul and Goldmund first tries to imitate him. An intimate friendship soon develops between the two, but the boisterous and fun-loving Goldmund soon realizes that the life perspective the convent offers does not match his ideas of freedom and, emboldened by Narcissus, embarks on a journey full of adventure in which he finally meets his great love Lene. But years later, Narcissus and Goldmund meet again under dramatic circumstances .