Reading Notes: Ramayana Public Domain Version, Part D

I am reading Ramayana the public domain version, which is an anthology.

• This section seems to focus on the battle for Sita. Another battle scene is welcomed because I think that it really shows how the Indian culture viewed war. It is clear that the authors each had their own opinions and ways of describing war.
• The illusions used to try and confuse Sita into thinking that Rama is dead, is an interesting aspect of this story. I think that Ravana is silly for thinking that he could hold up this lie and go to war. This could be a cool thing to include in my story as another piece to bring reference to these stories.
• Again, I love reading about all of the mythical creatures in these stories because I have had such little exposure to them before. The winged mounts used in fighting, the monkeys, the 'living weapons', and the gods and goddesses. 
• The landscape has also seemed to play a large part in all of these stories. I like how the authors continually mention the scenery for each story because it leads to the reader following along better. This is something I have to work on in my own stories because often times I skip over these details to try and fit more plot into the story.
• I have really enjoyed reading this version of the Ramayana because it is an anthology. I originally a little nervous, thinking that it would be confusing having many different people writing on the same topic. However, it has been quite insightful to how so many people viewed the events. I think that writing in verse is a very creative way many authors conveyed this story and I will have to use this at some point this semester because you do not see it in use very often today.

Rama and Sita together at last