Last Ramayana journal

Rama does seem to be unfairly sexist throughout the book, yet, I also don't know the customs back then, and it may have been normal to them. The thing I think was most ridiculous that Rama made Sita do, was throw herself into a fire to prove her purity. He was willing to let his wife die to make sure she was pure which I think is a little too far. There are many things that make me think the battle wasn't literal. One of the biggest things that makes me believe this is a mental/ spiritual battle is that it talks about bodies laying everywhere, but them just being passed out, and not dead which wouldn't make sense for a physical battle. Another key thing that makes me believe that battle wasn't literal, is the fact that the fight between Rama and Ravana was not even remotely realistic, and seemed more of a metal game even if parts of it really were real.

· - The first recorded Russian literature came in the 12^th century in the form of Christian teachings from Europe, usually in the form of poetic creation stories.

· - Then around the 17^th century Russian writers wanted to have a national originality when it came to writing, and began to make writing that reflected daily life in Russia, through poetry, epics, and stories.

· -Some of the most prominent writers in this period include V.K.Trediakovsky and M.V. Lomonosov.

· - During this time, Russian writing took on a form different from other European countries, and became it’s own unique style.

· - Silver age began in the 1890’s and was a huge growth in Russian poetry, and art had a bigger influence on writing.

· -V.S.Soloviev was one of the more prominent poets in the silver era.

· -After this revolutionary and post revolutionary era caused Russian writers to have to move abroad and write, yet they still maintained most of the unique styling Russian writing was known for, although prose became more popular.

Source

lina. "Russia-InfoCentre :: History of Russian literature :: Literature :: Culture & Arts."Russia-InfoCentre :: . N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2010. .

Journal #5

Honestly if I could go back and redo a day in my past I don't think I would. I think that God has a plan for my life, and that everything that has happened has made me the person I am today. I have learned a ton of lessons, and everything I do, good or bad has shaped what has happened to me, and the people around me. So if I went back and changed even just one day, I feel like the present could be completely different, and I am content with the way it is now even with the regrets I have. I think every mistake we make just makes us stronger, and teaches us a lesson so we don't make the same or a bigger mistake in the future, so if I erased a big mistake in the past, I don't think it would honestly make my future a better place.

journal #4/ Socratic seminar

Rama feels sympathy for Sugreeva because he feels bad for the way his brother treated him, and Sugreeva also offers to help him find his wife which entices him. I think at this point in the book the Godly part of himself is showing through the fact that he wants to help a complete stranger, as well as that Rama is in a weaker mental state because he feels at fault for losing his wife. Vali’s fight also holds water pretty well. One of his main points is that Rama attacked him from hiding instead of facing him, therefore dishonoring himself. Also He asks Rama why he automatically had taken Sugreeva’s side and killed a man only based on Sugreeva’s word. After comparing both sides, I would have to side with Vali, even though at this point we know him to be a bad guy. He is attacked when defenseless, from a man he can’t see, and also has never met. In my opinion this shows a huge lack of honor on Rama’s part. Also the fact that we don’t know both sides of the story, makes me wonder how much of what Sugreeva said is true.

Most of the conflicts we around the world today can relate to this story. Countries often enter into a war and then other countries follow that country just based on what the first country tells them, and often they don’t even know what they are truly fighting for. Another example of this is Politics, when you’re a kid you generally like who your parents like, and would vote for them, and this blind reasoning is also evident in the story.

Journal #3

Bharatha's mother is initially very excited that Rama is going to be king, she considers him just as much of a son as Bharatha. The nurse doesn't want Rama to be king because she believes her higher status will be gone if he is king instead of Bharatha. She is so worried about this she convinces the queen to get Rama banished and Bharatha made king just to uphold her position. So she has a very negative attitude towards Rama. In my opinion if I was in Dasaratha's shoes I would stick to my decision to make Rama king because I that would be the best decision. However in their religion I think breaking a promise like the one he made is a big deal, and I think thats why he did what he did.

Journal #2

In chapter one I see an example of immanence when Rama defeats the Thataka, "Next she raised a hail of stones under which to crush her adversaries. Rama sent up his arrows, which shielded them from the attack." (page13) This shows immanence because he is a normal person at this point, but he has powers that seem to come from the Gods. second is when Rama transforms a stone into a woman, "when he brushed past, the dust of his feet fell on it, and transformed it, that very instant into a beautiful woman."(page20) these are examples of immanence because they show a divinity inside of Rama. An example of illusory is seen when the talk about getting the bow for Shiva, and describe it needing carriage with 8 pairs of wheels and many men to carry it, yet he can draw the bow with ease. This seems like a stretch to me and I think they use this description to show it was a big bow, I don't literally think its that big. Another example from chapter one is the description of Rama's battle with the Thataka, the feats he accomplishes seems impossible to me, even with some help from the Gods. Lastly I think the story of the man being covered in a thousand "female marks" is illusory because I think the story is just trying to teach the reader a lesson and scare them, it seems unlikely this would actually happen. So pretty much I think the author has used illusory to get his point accross in a stronger way/ emphasize a certain point.

Initial reaction to the Ramayana

This book so far has been confusing yet interesting. The story seems to jump around a lot and the characters names are hard to follow, often being only a few letter different. I do think however that the stories so far have been interesting to read, so far the book is pretty different than most things I have read, and I like the challenge. One of the main things I'm wondering right now is if the story will continue using the same characters, or if it will be different every chapter, like in the bible. I am also wondering if there will be more structure to the stories further into the book. Overall I am excited to read the book, but a little unsure about the format so far.