Sita's Story from Ramayana: Styles Brainstorm

Topic: My storybook will be about Sita's point of view and her love for Rama However, perhaps adding a twist to how she is also caught in between a love triangle with Rama and Ravana. In the story, Sita would have to choose between the two and decide which one of them is right for her. I will base my story off of our book in class Narayan: Ramayana and also The Notebook novel. It will be a mix of both. Basically the plot and storyline of Rama's journey will be the same but then I will add how Sita is conflicted of who she wants like in The Notebook. Overall, I will make this into a love story but focusing on Sita's point of view.

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

Rama and Sita

Storytelling Week 3: The Great Hanuman

Rama and Hanuman were searching to find Sita. She had been kidnapped by Ravana and the two friends are determined to rescue her from Ravana. Throughout the journey, Hanuman and his friends were very helpful and supportive towards Rama. He was devastated that Sita, his dearly beloved, had been kidnapped by the evil Ravana. Hanuman and Rama would do whatever it took to bring Sita back.

"Rama, I will bring Sita back to you," said Hanuman.

Rama had been such a great friend to Hanuman. Their friendship was strong and Rama had once saved Hanuman from drowning in the water. Ever since then, the two had been great friends and did everything together. Hanuman was loyal to Rama. He admired him for being such a great leader and having a strong personality. Moreover, they were not just friends but almost like brothers. They would have done anything for each other. The two marched into the forest and found Ravana holding Sita while she was crying. She screamed Rama's name and Rama was ready to battle with Ravana.

"You stole my woman, so prepare to die!" cried Rama. He pulled out his sword and Rama and Ravana started to fight. The swords were clinking back and forth but Ravana had the advantage with his twenty arms. He grabbed Rama by the throat and was just about to strangle Rama to death when Hanuman came to the rescue. He grabbed his club and smacked one of Ravana's heads. Ravana screamed in pain. Ravana reciprocated and used his sword and stabbed Hanuman right in the heart. Hanuman screamed and fell on the ground. Just when Ravana was about to finish Hanuman, Rama pulled out his bow and arrow and shot him in the chest. That was the end of Ravana.

Rama rushed over to Hanuman trying to save him.

"My dear friend, you saved my life but why! Now you are in pain and suffering and it is all my fault. You should have left me to take care of that villain!" said Rama

"My dear Rama, you knew I would have done anything for you.You are my best friend and I am willing to risk my life to save you. You saved my life before and now I am repaying you."

Rama started tearing up knowing that his best friend could not survive this tragedy. While holding Hanuman tightly in his arms, he wanted to make sure all of India recognized Hanuman's bravery. Hanuman was a hero and had done so much for Rama.

Rama and Sita continued their journey back to Ayodhya and Rama became the king. He made a special day in recognition of Hanuman's bravery. He wanted the people of India to know the importance of courage and Hanuman was the symbol of courage. The day of Hanuman's memorial was sad for everyone. Hanuman would be remembered by all of the people in India.

(Hanuman In Battle) Source: Hanuman

Author's Note: Hanuman's death scene was a new twist to the story. I wanted to emphasize the character of Hanuman and how he was willing to risk his life to save Rama. Hanuman admired Rama as a true god and wanted the best for his friend. He wanted to help Rama find Sita knowing how important she was to him. I decided to make a death scene just to show how selfless Hanuman was. The battle scene was a little dramatic but I wanted to focus on the bravery of Hanuman. Just when Rama was being attacked, he was able jump in and rescue him. The part of Rama and Hanuman's last words when Hanuman was about to die was kind of sad, but I wanted to show how true their friendship towards each other was. In the story I emphasized the words "like brothers" because they were not just friends but almost like brothers. They were both willing to risk their own lives to save one another and that is the point of my story... true friendship. My theme is to focus on the character of Hanuman more than Rama, although in the Ramayana he was the main character. I wanted to make Hanuman the main character in the story. That is why towards the end of the story, Hanuman was recognized by his bravery from everyone.

Bibliography: Narayan R.K (1972) The Ramayana

Week 3 Reading Diary B: The Ending of the Story

(pgs 131-171)

The story continues with Hanuman searching for Sita and transforming into different sizes in order to cross the ocean to Lanka. Then he spotted Sita and managed to tell her that Rama is still alive and looking for her. I really adore Hanuman's character even more than Rama. Hanuman is selfless and loyal to Rama and would do practically anything to help him. I thought it was interesting when all the animals decided to build a bridge in order to help Rama rescue Sita. Yet when Rama finally battled with Ravana and won, he had to test Sita to see if she's pure or not. Throughout the story, I feel bad for Sita because she's the helpless one. Sita was abducted and when her love finally saved her, she had to be tested if she was pure? So with all the hard work from the animals and the battles they went through, if Sita wasn't pure would Rama leave her? Then when she has proven that she is pure, he finally takes her in? What about all the grief she went through? Maybe I'm being too opinionated but the test for Sita was unfair because it wasn't her fault she was kidnapped. The battle between Rama and Ravana was quite intense, although I do not see why Rama wouldn't strike the opponent when he fainted but he finished the job anyways. I guess Rama wanted a fair fight.

(Rama and Ravana's Battle) Source: Rama and Ravana

My favorite character throughout this book would definitely be Hanuman because he is a such a humble god. His selfless deeds and dedication to Rama would make him a great king, not Rama. For my storybook, I might want to change the part of Rama becoming king and Hanuman instead. I've thought about several different versions and making Sita have a happy ending since in the original story she had so much grief. 

Week 3 Reading Diary A: Hanuman to the Rescue

In this episode of reading, I really enjoyed the character Hanuman. I felt like throughout the rest of the book he was a big help to Rama, a long with the fellow animals (pgs.89-130). He had helped Rama battle with Vali and also Ravana for the abduction of Sita. I also enjoyed the character Sugriva. It is sad that he lost his wife but in the end Sugriva helped Rama in the lead of the search party. Sugriva became king after the battle with Vali. Also I admire the bravery of Hanuman, in one particular chapter on pg.118 Hanuman said, "Do not despair or give up. There is much we can still do. If we are to die let us die in a battle. Remember Jatayu, how he died nobly fighting Ravana to the last." There is so much bravery in Hanuman and he is so loyal. The mention of Jatayu encouraged them to fight. Hanuman was a very significant character in this story especially to Rama, without his help and others Rama may have never found Sita. They were the support system for Rama and most importantly Hanuman was glorified for his courage and knew that he was the only one who could carry the message of hope to Sita. His search for Sita continues as he shrinks himself into a smaller size towards the end of the book. 

(Hanuman) Source: Hanuman

Poor Jatayu who tried to save Sita from Ravana. Although he failed, in his last dying breath he tried to tell Rama Lakshama where RAvana went but it was too late for he had passed away. Hanuman is loyal to Rama and that is what makes him so important in the story.