Bibliography:
1. The Notebook (wikipedia): Based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks (1996), where Noah and Allie falls in love over the summer but her parents rejected them. She met someone else and have to choose.
2. Narayan Ramayana: The book in our class, the plot and characters will remain the same and will continue with Rama's journey in finding Sita from her abduction, but realized it wasn't a kidnap because Sita was willing to go with Ravana. R.K Narayan (2006).
Possible Styles:
Sita as the Storyteller: Sita was never recognized in Ramayana and so I decided to make her the main character and a love story revolving around her. She was in grief and treated by force with Rama and Ravana that I decided she should be the one to make her own decisions in the story. Sita would be the narrator and it will be coming from her perspective and how she feels between the two men.
Journey: I still like the part of Rama and Hanuman continue on their journey to find Sita; however, I might twist it up a bit and instead of Ravana kidnapping her, it would be her willing to go with Ravana. In the story, Rama would try to find her and win his love back after he realized she was the one for him. There would be animals in the story but they wouldn't be a big part in the story. I decided to focus the story on the three of them. (Rama, Sita, Ravana).
Rama and Sita's love at first sight: In the beginning of the story I want to focus on how Rama and Sita met and how they fell in love with each other, similar to The Notebook. It will be a summer's love and the two will find out how much they love for each other but eventually the parents forbid them and force Sita to move. Sita will then meet Ravana who is approved by her parents and decide who she wants from there. Sita comes from a wealthy family and her parents have a summer home where Rama lives and that is when they will meet.
Flashbacks: Another style I had in mind is Sita telling the story using flashbacks of her and Rama's memories. In way it is kind of like the movie Titanic where Rose talks about Jack. However, the whole story wouldn't be based on just flashbacks. I want to add Sita's memories of Rama while she was with Ravana and then realize in the end that Rama is the one for her. She will be thinking a lot about Rama and come to her senses. Instead of pleasing her parents to marry Ravana. In Indian culture, arrange marriages are pretty popular so I could possibly add how Sita's parents want her to marry Ravana, but in the end she went with her gut and chose Rama.
Rama and Sita's Love
I absolutely LOVE your idea for the storybook project. I like how you are adding your own twist to the story and having Sita go to Ravana by her own will. We never hear much about Sita and it makes me feel like (just like you said) she never had a say in anything. The saddest part of their story is when Rama puts her on a love trial; I was very disappointed with that!
ReplyDeleteArrange marriages are still a big part of the Indian culture and i think it's a brilliant idea to put that twist to it. I am eager to see how your project turns out. Can't wait to read it!
Also, you did a great job at organizing this blog post!