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Reading Notes "A"


Reading Notes "A":

1: King Dasharatha

Source. Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)
I like the prolog so we know what the universe is like. I don’t like that there is polygamy. I know that the culture but it just weirds me out. I think that there may be too much description of the nature that can make a reader lose interest. The son's thing is now a stereotype and is considered to be sexist.

 2. Dasharatha's Sons:

SourceIndian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)

I feel like the story would be more modern if were updated that the king was not able to have children and the ritual was used to have a child not specifically a son. I would also want to adapt the ritual to have some kind of chant or rhyme because that could help intrigue the audience.

3. Avatar of Vishnu:

SourceIndian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)
I like that gods and demons are involved. I like the idea of a special child but I think that there should be another aspect that draws to its significance other than beauty.

4. Vishvamitra:

Source. Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita (1914).
I love the coming of age story. I think I would want more background on their childhood though. It would help us to care about the characters more. There should be a bit more character development.

5. Tharaka:

Source. Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)
I love a good villain. Invisibility is a really cool trait but I wish this tribulation had more details. I really like the illustration on this page

6. Bhagiratha and Ganga:

SourceThe Great Indian Epics by John Campbell Oman (1894)
This story has the same problem as “King Dasharatha” The emphasis on having boys. I think that the number of characters in such a small story can be confusing. It makes me want to make my story focus on fewer characters, so I can have more character development. There are so many sacrifices in these stories. I did not know that was such a big part of Indian stories. I want to try to incorporate this into my story.

7. Ahalya

Source. Valmiki's Ramayana, translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith (1870-1874)
I like that the story is a rhyme. It feels like more what I am used to in a western fairy tale. I like how dark this story is too. There are just so many tropes that are universal in fairy tales in all cultures.

8. Sita

Source. The Divine Archer by F. J. Gould (1911)
I love this love at first sight trope because I have experienced this. We are still together 8 years later, so I love me a good love story. Incorporating a love story as part of my story could be interesting.

9.  King Janaka


Source. Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)

The bow could be incorporated into my story. This is how the love interest could be introduced.

10. Rama Wins Sita

Source. The prose portion comes from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)

It sounds similar to Thor's hammer. It even talks about thunder. This is an interesting tie in to bring those types of stories together. I also like the rhyming again. The pairs of lines are just such a classic way to write. 

11. Parashurama

SourceThe Divine Archer by F. J. Gould (1911)

I like that they described what the man looked like. Though I think it is important to show not tell. So in my story, I would like to show the characters look through action if possible. 

12. Rama & Sita's Wedding:

SourceRamayana, The Epic of Rama, Prince of India, condensed into English verse by Romesh Dutt (1899)

Again I like rhyming in the story. I like the phrase "manly beauty". I think that it is funny. I don't think that this story did a very good job of keeping the audience intrigued because nothing really happens. I wish we knew what the characters thinking it may make it more interesting.

13. Rama the Heir Apparent:

SourceMyths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita (1914)

The prince is getting in charge. Again they are telling not showing. We should see all of these good qualities instead of just being told he is good.

14. Manthara & Kaikeyi

Source. Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie     

I like the questioning of character. I also like the tool of owing a favor. This could be helpful in a journey situation. 

15. Kaikeyi & Dasharatha: 

 Ramayana, The Epic of Rama, Prince of India, condensed into English verse by Romesh Dutt (1899)

The imagery of snakes is very intriguing. She threatens to kill her self if Rama is not banished. That is not what I was expecting. This is great for storytelling.

16. Rama is Banished: 

Source. Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)

There was some show don't tell in this story which was much better. He said he would drink poison if he needed to so that shows his level of dedication.

17. Rama Goes into Exile:

Source. Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)

I love that their love is so strong that they could not be separated. They ease each other's burdens by being with each other.

18. Crossing the River:

SourceMyths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita (1914)

I like that there are just so many hermits in the forest it is funny. I may poke fun at this in my story. I also like a helper character. I won't use a god but find out a way to make a character for this role.

19. Dasharatha's Karma:

Source. Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)

I like that this shows not tells about this character. though they made a mistake they did not run from the mistake. The murder of a child is pretty heavy but could be incorporated in my story.  It sounds like a witch cursing the king. I like the "you will suffer the same fate that you have given me". That could be a good trope to add to the story. The parents going into the fire is intense, but I really like that. They are as good as dead without their child though regardless of the pain.


20. Dasharatha's Death:

Source. The first portion is from Ramayana, The Epic of Rama, Prince of India, condensed into English verse by Romesh Dutt (1899)

He is suffering the same fate that he caused the 2 blind parents. I like that it is a get even deal. it feels very Grimm fairy tale-esque.


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