Week 5 Reading Diary B: Sita Is Feisty

So, one of the big differences I am noticing between the two versions of the Ramayana is that Buck uses a bit more vulgarity. It's not horrible things, but he definitely throws in a few choice words every now and then. Another big difference I noted in this week's reading was the fact that Ravana did not have a curse on him that prevented him from touching a woman that didn't want him. The book only said attacking. This allowed him to be a total creep and just snatch her right up. One of the quotes that really annoyed me was on page 176, where Ravana says "My dear...capture is a good way to get a wife...I want your love. I will wait for you to love me." I hope that people don't take this literally. Also, telling a woman that if she doesn't sleep with you, you will eat her alive, is not a good way to win her over. I feel like this is a really weird rendition of the beauty and the beast.

I find this book very intriguing because of the amount of description it offers. Something that is funny, though, is that all Indian people tell stories this way. Every time you ask to hear a story, they tell it in great detail. Their ability to pass stories on orally is amazing, and they don't skip any details! However, this isn't a good thing when you ask them a quick question about their lives, and it turns into a 20 minute story!

I don't know what I will do for my storytelling this week, but I am looking forward to cooking something up!

Ravana warning Sita to conform to his wishes. Source: Radio Sai Listener's Journal