Storybook Styles

Topic: My topic is going to be the relationship between Rama and Sita. I am wanting to tell about their relationship, the good and the bad. There are many of the stories to choose from since their relationship is the main reason for mostly everything that happens, but I believe that I already have a couple of the stories that I am wanting to use for my storybook.

Bibliography:
1. Rama and Sita from Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita (1914).
2. Sita Tested from Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita (1914).

Possible Styles:

1. Therapy- first-person storyteller: I am really leaning towards the idea of having Rama and Sita attending marriage counseling, with the therapist as the first-person storyteller. I think this idea would show an outside perspective on the drama in the relationship between Rama and Sita. The stories would go together to show the ups and downs of their relationship. I like the idea of the therapist being able to add his/her opinion in along with what Rama and Sita are saying.

2. Diary- first-person storyteller: For this style, I could have Sita writing in her diary showing her point of view of her marriage. This would be helpful because you don't really get to hear Sita's side of everything. I would like to show how she feels, especially when Rama doesn't believe her. I would like to be able to explore what Sita was thinking and I think the diary is a good option for that.

3. Documentary- told in third person: The documentary could tell the story of the couple. It could start with how they met and how Rama fought to find Sita after she was kidnapped by Ravana. I think this style would be good because it would be someone who is not even involved in the story telling everyone what happened. It would be a neutral person therefore you would be able to see both side equally.

4. Children's story- told in third person omniscient: I think this would also be a good one to do. I could clean the stories up a little in order for it to be "child appropriate". It could be like a fairy tale and then could have the typical happily ever after feel to it. I also like the idea of having it told in third person omniscient because I like that I could have the emotions of every character. Every characters feeling and actions could be described in this style.



Rama and Sita's marriage. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Week 3 Storytelling: Rama and Sita: How it should have gone

Sita waited with the rakshasis, anxious to know if the rumors were true. They had received word that Rama had finally defeated Ravana. She had to hide her excitement, knowing that even though the news would be good for her, it meant that the wives of Ravana would be devastated. She was fearful of what they would do but she knew that Rama would come for her.

She heard someone coming. She looked up, hoping that it would be her love, Rama. She was only slightly disappointed when she realized it was Hanuman. That is when she was able to confirm that Ravana was finally defeated.

"I want to see my love. Will you send him immediately?" Sita asked, practically begging. She was only slightly worried that Rama would think that she was unfaithful to him. She knew that as soon as she sees him, she will have to convince him otherwise.

Word was given back to Rama, whom was so filled with joy. His only reply was for Sita to be brought to him immediately. He missed Sita so much that he decided to meet half way.

"Rama!" Sita yelled when they had finally stood in front of eachother for the first time in such a long time.

Rama immediately embraced Sita. He did not care that she had not been bathed. He did not care that she had been in another man's home. He wasn't even worried about the rumors that may appear after this incident. All he cared about was that he finally had his love, his wife, Sita.

"I've missed you so much!" Sita exclaimed, "I promise you that I remained pure. Ravana and his wives threatened me but never once did I give in! I would have rather died than been unfaithful to you. I will do anything to prove it to you"

" I believe you, Sita! I have never had any reason to doubt you." Rama knew that Sita was telling the truth. Not once did he ever doubt her loyalty to him. He knew that she would never betray him. She was pure when they first met and he knew that she would always remain that way.

They continued to celebrate the defeat of Ravana and the return of Sita from captivity. Everyone could see how much Rama loved Sita and how much he had missed her. He fought through so many battles all to get his wife back.

Rama and Sita with people surrounding them. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Author's note: I based this story off of the story of Sita and Rama. The original story has Rama winning back Sita, only to break their relationship off because of her captivity. He tells her that, even though it was against her will, she was in contact with another besides him. Sita refused to let him believe that and she said she would rather die than have him believe something so untrue. Sita ended up having to test her purity by fire before Rama decided that he could believe her. When I read this story, I thought that it was crazy that he went through all those battles just so that he could break off their relationship because of something that was out of Sita's control. I wanted a happier ending so I changed the story to reflect that. I thought it would be better if Rama immediately believed Sita, instead of accusing her like he did. I also thought that he would want to see her immediately because in the original version, he only wanted to see her after she had bathed. If he truly loved her, he wouldn't have cared if she had bathed so I changed that part too.
Bibliography: Source. Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita (1914). [600 words]

Week 3: Reading Diary B: Ramayana Online 61-80

For this Reading Diary, I read Week 2: Reading B of Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition. These are some of my favorite stories from the reading.

Rama Attacks: This was one of my favorites because Ravana's spies tell him that he should surrender. They tell him that Rama is much too powerful for him to be fighting against and that Ravana should release Sita. Ravana, however, was definitely not going to surrender that easily so he decides to try and trick Sita. He tries to convince her that Rama is dead and that she should just accept that she is going to be with Ravana. Sita believes him and begs for him to end her life. Sita soon realizes that Ravana is lying to her and that Rama is still alive.

Ravana's Lament:  This story is very odd to me because the wives of Ravana refuse to let him kill Sita. In the story, Ravana learns that Rama has killed his son. Ravana is hysterical with anger and sadness and decides that he is going to kill Sita. His wives, however, stop him from killing her and tell him that if he kills a woman, it will close the doors to the heavens. The question that I have after reading this is why don't the wives kill Sita for Ravana? A few stories before this, they were threatening to kill her but now they refuse.

Ravana's Death: This Epic wouldn't be complete with the defeat of Ravana. The very reason that Vishmu was reincarnated into Rama was so that Ravana could be defeated. It was a tough battle for Rama but, with the help from Agastya, he was able to finally defeat Ravana.

Sita Tested: I wouldn't consider this a favorite but it was a crazy twist. Rama fought through all his enemies and sought Sita. He was willing to give her up because she had been kidnapped by Ravana. She couldn't convince him that she was pure and never would have been with Ravana. She had to step into fire in order for Rama to believe her. He seriously should have believed her from the beginning!

 

Sita showing her purity by stepping in the fire. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Week 3: Reading Diary A: Ramayana Online 41-60

For this Reading Diary, I read Week 2: Reading A of Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition. These are my favorite stories from the reading.

Sugriva's Story: The brothers, Sugriva and Vali, basically became enemies over a huge misunderstanding. Sugriva thought that Vali was dead and that was the reason that he went back to rule over Vali's followers. This angered Vali and he thought that his brother did it on purpose and so he stole his wife. I don't necessarily blame Vali. It doesn't look good that his brother closed up he hole and left him there and took over ruling his followers. It does sound quite suspicious. It is sad though that Vali took his revenge by stealing Sugriva's wife but I can understand why he would want to take revenge on his brother whom he thought betrayed him.

King Sugriva: This is the story right after Rama defeats Vali. What makes this story so interesting is that even though Vali and Sugriva fought, Sugriva still mourned for his dead brother. Even after his brother stole his wife, he still was upset at his death. This shows that even though the two shared quite a big hatred for each other, when it came down to Vali dying, Sugriva still felt sad over the death of his brother.

Sita and Ravana: Hanuman watches as Ravana threatens Sita. He knows its her by her fair and appearance and he watches her. In this story, I love how Sita refused Ravana no matter what he threatens her with. You can tell that she is still confident that Rama will save her and kill Ravana. The wives of Ravana also threaten her and although she is terrified, she does not give in. I think that Sita shows so much courage in this story. Even though she is scared, she is still able to stand her ground.

Ravana approaches Sita while she is in captivity. Source: Wikimedia Commons