Week 4 Storytelling: Rama's Dilemma

Rama and Sita from Social Wits

"Rama, I'm pregnant with your son!" exclaimed Sita with delight.

Rama looked at Sita with joy and confusion. It had only been a short time since Rama saved Sita from the evil Ravana, and he immediately began to think of the peasants and commoners that had mentioned to Rama their concerns about Sita no longer being a pure queen. Although he may believe that Sita has only been true to him, it is hard to get a thought out of your head once someone has put it there. What if she has not been faithful to him alone? What if there was another? How can his subjects respect him when they do not respect his wife? However, how could Rama send her away? No one has ever loved another as much as Rama loved Sita. Rama recalled the first time he ever saw Sita. He had never seen anything so beautiful. With her delicate hands and her eyes that are so easy to get lost in, no one in this world or another could match her beauty. He knew at that moment that he would have to have her forever as his bride. They have conquered so much together in life. From their wedding, to being banished into the forest together, to facing all of the different monsters that lived in the forest's shadows, and then finally being reunited after defeating Ravana. How could someone throw away all of that history?

In the end, Rama knew what he had to do. He had tried to find another option but there wasn't one to be found. He had to send Sita away in order to continue his rule over the country. For how could he rule when no one respected him because of his love for his wife? With a heavy heart, he went to go tell Sita the news. She took news about as well as you would expect. She tried to fight Rama saying that she would never disrespect their marriage in that way, but Rama sent her away anyway. Rama watched his pregnant bride leave the city from a window. He watched long after she was in the woods knowing that he would never see his lovely wife again. Wiping away his tears, Rama turned and went back to his duties. Unfortunately he could not have a day off of work, even if needed a sick day from a broken heart. 

Author's Note: I based this story off of "Sita Sings the Blues" by Nina Paley. More specifically when Rama sent away Sita. I just couldn't imagine Rama being so cold hearted about sending Sita away. They had experienced so much together! I needeed to have him contemplate leaving Sita and have him really be upset about it. 

Bibliography: Sita Sings the Blues film by Nina Paley (2008)

Week 4 Reading Diary: Sita Sings the Blues Continued

Sita Sings the Blues film by Nina Paley

Sita from Online Prasad

I think would be interesting to go through Rama's head when he banishes Sita. The pain and turmoil and uncertainty that he goes through when making that decision because he still loves her. Also the need for respect of his people that he doesn't have because he is with Sita is a huge issue for him. Then even more uncertain when he finds out that she's pregnant so soon after getting back. Is it his child or not?

It could be a good story to go more into depth of Sita's relationship with the monk. He was a great support for her and would listen to her when she had no one else. It would be nice to elaborate on that relationship and the types of conversations they would have had.

I feel for the twins of Rama and Sita because they are growing up with a mother that is banished into the forest and a father that has nothing to do with them and yet they still sing songs about drama and how great he is. I feel like they might have had some sort of rebellious stage and it could be interesting to write about. Also, I feel like they should be completely angry that their dad does not want to bring Sita back with them at the end.

I like what they said about the unconditional love of Sita towards Ramayana and how it may be was poisonous to the relationship. He didn't treat her right and it's sad that she can't get over him. However, a lot of women that are abused in their relationships kind of go through the same thing.

Week 4 Reading Diary: Sita Sings the Blues

Sita Sings the Blues film by Nina Paley 

Sita Navami from Online Prasad

I love all of the different songs that are in this movie it's really entertaining! I was slightly confused by the many variations of animations for each character. I really love the first song when Rama is killing all the monsters a while Sita is singing. One of my favorite moments in this movie is when they are making fun of Sita dropping all of her jewelry and trying to figure out where she got the story from. It could be fun to write about this as a treasure hunt for the monkeys.

Another good point in this movie, is when they're talking about how it would have saved a lot of time if Sita just jumped on the monkeys back. It could be funny to write it like this in a sense of the YouTube videos "how it should have ended".

I think it be an interesting story to go more into detail of see his reaction when Roma says that she's not worthy to be his wife. I would like to have see the kind of flipped out a little more and say that that's not okay it's not her fault she was kidnapped. Also perhaps when he finds out she is pure, have her not want to be back with him because he doubted her.

Could also most likely write a story about them on their flying chariots and their journey back. Did they have issues with weather with the wind? was it awkward on the way back after everything they've been through?