One theme that I think is prevalent throughout the story is that of protecting and honoring your good name. (Or in other words, saving face) I think it’s safe to say that a majority, if not all don’t like it when people are spreading rumors about them that degrades or diminishes their character or reputation. There are many instances in this story where things that, for lack of better expression, aren’t pleasant are done to save face. Rama gives up his wealth and his future as King to allow his dad to keep his promises. Sita also gave up everything when she left with Rama. While in the forest Sita hears the cry of “Rama” and tells Laksmana to go help him. When he tries to explain that Rama will be ok and that it’s his duty to protect her she gets angry and tells him, “I think you would be happy should some disaster befall your brother. You have no real affection for him, so you stand there calmly with the splendid prince gone from sight… You treacherously followed Rama to the forest, the two of you alone: You are either in the employ of Bharata or secretly plotting to get me.” (Pg. 881,882) Frustrated himself Laksmana leaves to go find Rama. He probably left to get away from Sita for a while after she said such rude and awful things about his character, but I think it was also a way to show that what she had said was not true. Another example of this is at the very end when Rama tells Sita he doesn’t want her anymore because she had been living with Ravanna for so long. Sita throws herself in the fire to show that she had been true to Rama.
I’ve enjoyed reading the Ramayana. I almost wish we had the parts they took out because it would be interesting to read the details of how Rama found out Ravanna was the one who took his beloved Sita. The ending of the book was almost a disappointment, but it ended happily; which is a nice change from the other stories we’ve been reading this semester. This story kind of reminds me of fairytales I grew up reading. There’s always a prince and princess, an evil step mother in pursuit of power and riches, there’s always something hard to overcome, and the prince usually rescues the princess somehow and they live happily ever after… For those of you saying, “wait a minute, that’s not how ALL fairy tales go.” You’re right, but it’s the basic idea and storyline of most fairytales. And I find that the Ramayana fits into that kind of story line.
I like the character Sita. She’s not your typical princess. She’s a strong woman who will speak her mind when provoked. One of my favorite lines she says to Ravanna is, “As for you, you are a jackal in the presence of a lioness, to come here seeking me, whom you can never have. You could no more touch me than touch the radiance of the sun.” (Pg. 887) She tells him exactly what she thinks of him. She’s a valiant princess because stays true to Rama despite all that’s happened.
It was fun as I read the Ramayana, I was reminded of a movie I loved to watch as a little girl, called A Little Princess. In this movie (made in 1995) a little girl, Sara, lives with her father in India. He has to go away to war and so he takes her to a boarding school in London. While there Sara shares the story of Rama, Sita and Ravanna with her friends. There’s a lot more to the movie of course, but that part in particular is relevant to class and our readings. It’s cool to think about how ancient world literature still greatly affects our world today. It’s retold in our books, movies, and plays. The plots and story lines are a tool that some writers use today as a starting point for their own stories… (Word Count: 679)
(This is a link to a youtube video that shows the part where Sara is telling the story of Rama and Sita.)
Youtube Video: A Little Princess
First off I want to say that was a great post and you made many great points about the story. That was a great evaluation/ analysis and it was very interesting to read. The thing you said about Sita being a strong woman is definitely what I saw as well. She doesn’t seem to hold anything back, but she expressed whatever she has in mind. I also like how you brought in the part about the movie A little Princess. I watched it as well and I didn’t make the connection because it didn’t cross my mind until you brought it up.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see that the story the Little Princess tells is different in the details from the one we read in class, but still seems to carry the same ideas. In this way it is very much like a fairy tale, and like superhero stories. We all know the basic story of Cinderella, even if our particular version differs from others.
ReplyDelete