Ramayana

Purpose:  Practice discovering the epic themes of sacred and secular, the hero, and gender roles by considering a major early epic, the Ramayana. This discussion should build your critical reading and analysis skills, as well as help prepare you for your essays later in the course. Keep in mind that, your central concern is to understand what the evidence about these epic themes reveals about the relationship between the epic heroes and their own cultures as well as the relationship between epic heroes and heroic elements common to human society in all times. 

Tasks:  Use the steps below to write 1-2 full paragraphs connected to the purpose and overarching themes in the readings for this unit.  Pick Option 1, 2, or 3 below, and follow the steps outlined.

Option 1:  Values of Hinduism and Hindu culture as found in the Ramayana:  What is dharma, and how do characters such as Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman exemplify the role of dharma? 

Option 2:  Roles of Women:  Given the male-centered world of the culture, how do female characters such as Sita and Kaikeyi demonstrate their power and seem to represent the culture’s view of female characteristics? How does the portrayal of these women compare with ways women are portrayed in other cultures or in our culture today? Provide some examples of the traits of Sita or other women in the Ramayana and discuss the epic’s treatment of gender.

Option 3:  The Hero’s Journey:  Following his exile, Rama’s journey is largely a battle.  Discuss the representations of good and evil, as well as the conflicts between good and evil in Rama’s journey.  What is significant about Rama’s eventual triumph?  Is there anything in Rama’s journey that reminds you of current quests or battles?

1. Start by deciding which option above you would like to write about.  Once you have made that decision, then:
2. Select a relevant passage of your own choosing from Ramayana. Choose carefully, thinking about how these two passages might speak to overarching themes and the bolded text in the Purpose, above.
3. Depending on which option you chose, explain the following:
   • Option 1:  How does your passage illustrate a conclusion about actions that are motivated by dharma in the Ramayana, and how is that significant or important for understanding Rama and possibly Lakshmana or Hanuman within their culture–or heroes more generally? 
   • Option 2:  How does your passage illustrate a conclusion about roles of women in the Ramayana, and how is that significant or important for understanding women within this culture or more generally?
   • Option 3:  How does your passage illustrate a conclusion about the meaning of conflicts between good and evil in Rama’s question, and how is that significant or important for understanding mortality as viewed within the Hindu culture or more generally?

4. You might want to sketch out your initial thoughts in lists, a concept map, or whatever note format helps you the most.
5. Structure and revise your initial thoughts into 1-2 robust, well-developed paragraphs, using the passage you have selected as evidence to support your ideas, and post them in the discussion.
6. Respond substantively to at least two of your classmates’ posts, explaining why you agree or disagree with them (and you may agree with some parts and disagree with others).  Include other thoughts you may have about their topic and ideas.  Include a quotation to support each of your responses.

Criteria on which you will be graded:

• Your selection of a passage to support your argument is thoughtful
• Your analysis is specific and original
• Your post speaks to your selected theme and the Purpose above.
  
• Your responses to your classmates are respectful and substantive
• Your writing is clear and well-organized

This activity may use a different grading rubric than what was used in past activities. Be sure to check the grading rubric before starting.