Reading Notes: Ramayana, Part A

 These reading notes are over Part A of Tiny Tales of Ramayana which is written by Laura Gibbs.

Style Notes:

•  The style of writing conveyed the essential parts of the epic without overwhelming readers with too many details. As the Ramayana is impressively long, this writing style makes the narrative accessible. However, in order to re-tell specific stories within the epic, it's important to go more in-depth and focus in on specific plot parallels. I want to avoid using the same style of the Ramayana when writing my own stories, but specific plot points can provide a strong enough bridge between both narratives. As a result, I'll probably also reference R.K. Narayan's The Ramayana to capture the whole plot before I begin writing my own story.
•  Since the Tiny Tales summarize a majority of the stories, most dialogue is left out. When re-telling the various stories, this provides the creative liberty to imagine the conversations and use a more modern, fluid style when writing out conversations.

Plot Notes:

•  Reading through Part A, I noticed a lot of archetypes common in Western stories and mythology. For example, Rama lifting Janaka's Bow reminded me of Excalibur with the Sword in the Stone. Both men prove their strength by wielding a weapon no other man could lift, proving their leadership and worthiness. However, I found it interesting that Rama broke Janaka's Bow with his strength, and Sita''s divinity was demonstrated through her ability to lift Janaka's Bow as well.
• I also enjoyed the plot point that Ravana was able to visit the court and attempt to lift Janaka's Bow, but his strength could have been his demise. One character trait I noticed with Ravana was his arrogance, but this boastfulness could have caused his demise. For example, after ignoring Nandi, Shiva's bull, Ravana was crushed by Shiva, and only his roar saved him. Likewise, Ravana's strength allowed him to lift the bow, but his arrogance caused him to be pinned underneath it and require Sita's help.
• The epic also adds complexities in this idea of good vs. evil. For example, Ravana, who is obviously evil and brutish, still has the blessings of Brahma and was even rewarded by Shiva. Likewise, we see that Ravana is capable of developing allies, such as his story with Vali. His familial history also may point to potential goodness; his father was a devout brahmin, and his grandfather was a mind-born son of Brahma. Nevertheless, we know Ravana represents evil and is the chief antagonist in the epic, but it's interesting to see how the epic allows for his destructive actions highlight his evil nature, rather than make him inherently evil.

 

Bow and arrow. Source: Pixy