Reading Diary A: Ramayana (PDE) Part C

Reading Diary A: Ramayana (PDE) Part C

(Ravana)

Reading Part C:
Sugriva and Hanuman

• Monkey kings and monkeys, this is too much for me. I hate stories with talking animals, or stories focused on animals. (Well, unless there are cats!)

Sugriva's Story

Sugriva and Vali

• A nice smilie: "shout like troubled ocean's or like tempest's deafening roar."
• Some nice lines, "passion lit his eye" and "thoughts of wrath like withered blossoms from thy bosom cast away."

Vali's Death

• Dishonorable death by an ambush. Interesting and controversial concept.
• Nice simile, "Like a snake of deadly poison flew his arrow swift and low."

King Sugriva

• More of the monkey kingdom (UGH!)
• Vanir translates to "monkey."
• King Sugriva is the new king. A game of thrones, more usurping.

The Rainy Season

• Someone in exile cannot enter a city. An interesting concept that makes great complications for a character.
• A lament, like a poetic monologue. This was both pretty and pleasant to read. I may insert one of these into my story. It's also a nice change of pace. Filled with beautiful lyrics and nice similes and metaphors.

The Armies

• A drunken and lazy King (or Queen, or ruler.)
• A talking vulture. (More talking animals--my favorite...)

Sampati

Sampati and Jatayu

• Writing is more lyrical and poetic, which I prefer to read. Maybe I should write my story in a poetic and lyrical manner?
• This story is in first person, which is my preferred point of view. However this point of view is rare to see in myths and (so far) Indian Epics.

Hanuman's Leap

• More talking animals, this time it's bears. At least bears are more interesting. 
• What about a were-bear, or a shapeshifter who can turn into a bear? 
• Story idea: about shape-shifters, or were-creatures. Maybe about a teen who transforms, unaware that they are a shape-shifter or a were-creature. Perhaps they are orphaned or adopted, and so do not know the origin of their family (who it turns out are shape-shifters or were-creatures.)
• A sea Rakshasi!

Hanuman in Lanka

The Ashoka Grove

• Ashoka trees. 
• "Sita, Queen of the stars."
• She-demons, Rakshasi. But these are horrible creatures with strange and animalistic appearances.
• A large mansion.

Sita and Ravana

• Marble palace, stairs made of coral and the floor made of gold.
• Rakshasi guards.
• Plantain trees.

Hanuman and Sita

Hanuman Captured

• A nice line: one breaking trees like "wind itself."
• Fight involving a bow and arrow.

Hanuman and Ravana

• Using fire as a weapon.

The Burning of Lanka

• NO MORE MONKEY ARMIES!
• Setting something on fire, using a cotton soaked in oil.

The March on Lanka

• A human fearing the magic of demons.
• Magicians.

Ravana's Court

• "Ravana's Mustache".
• Ravan, Monarch of the mighty Rakshasa.
• "Iron-toothed."

Vibhishana

• A virtuous demon.
• A Demon King. A cool idea. Maybe a story about the Demon King's Prince or Princess, and the perks and pitfalls of being demonic Royality. Also create a world for it. A world that is filled with demons and fantastical creatures. A basis for my Storybook? Stories about the princes, princesses, the servants, and the human prisoners. (Themes: forbidden love between a demon and a human, forbidden love between a royal demon and a poor demon, and a story about the princess or prince who just wants to run away.