Discussion Questions for The Ramayana
Discussion Questions for The Ramayana
1) It is hard for Westerners to fully grasp the cultural impact of The Ramayana. A contemporary Indian writer, Devdutt Pattanaik, describes The Ramayana and its companion epic, The Mahabarata, as “the template of Indian thought.” (See the New York Times article this is from, “Mythic Past, Resonating in the Present,” on the course Web site.) In Western culture, can you think of a story—whether historical, legendary, or purely fictional—that might be even remotely comparable in contemporary times? If not, why do you think this is so?
2) Donna Rosenberg, the writer of the Ramayana version we are reading, believes that “[c]ontemporary readers can identify with Sita, Rama, and Rama’s brothers” and admire their “righteous behavior.” Do you agree, or do we define “righteous behavior” somewhat differently? Are perfectly righteous characters difficult to relate to--boring, even?
3) One incident in the epic that even Rosenberg concedes might baffle contemporary Western readers is Rama’s rejection of Sita after her abduction. Do you agree with Rama that his duty as a king to respect his people’s judgment was more important than his duty to trust and cherish his wife? Was there a possible compromise measure he could have taken? Do you think Sita’s reaction was honorable?
4) According to Indira Viswanthan Peterson, Professor of Asian Studies at Mount Holyoke College, “Hanuman is so popular and enduring a figure in Indian culture that many corporations and businesses use his name in theirs.” Do you think he would be as popular in America if he were better known? Why or why not? In America we have our share of unusual superheroes; does Hanuman remind you of any? (And did you know there is an Indian version of Spiderman?)
5) Let’s compare this epic with The Odyssey.
a) Would you say the role the gods play in the lives of mortals is similar?
b) How does Rama compare with the Greek demi-god Achilles? Odysseus?
c) How does Penelope compare with Sita?
d) Does Ravana’s sister resemble any of the goddesses who tempted Odysseus?
e) How does the different view of the afterlife affect the meaning of each epic?
f) How does Ravana compare to any opponent Odysseus faced?
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