Reading Notes, Babbitt Jataka Tales, Part A

Bibliography: Babbitt Jataka Tales. Story: A Measure of Rice

Notes: I really like the concept behind this story for a couple of different reasons. First, I great up listening to and reading lots of Aesop's Fables, so I have a soft spot for moralistic tales. What is interesting about this story is that there are actually a couple of different morals that it is possible to identify. There is that of the foolish king who did not appreciate the good work of his subjects and was greedy. There is also something of a moral behind the story of the valuer himself. He is thrust into a position that he is completely unprepared and untrained for, and after he tries to do his best with the situation that he has been put in he is ridiculed and banished from court!

        I also think another interesting thing that would be possible to explore in a story is that of "what are things worth?" While in our current society and our current positions, we may knw what has value to us and to society (dollar bills have value), it is interesting to think about how what has value can change across cultures, with age, and even simple designation (dollar bills only have value because we have all agreed that they do). I think it could be interesting to do a story in which the greedy king is represented by the government, and then to talk about the arbitrary designation of "value." This would be easy to do in the context of inflation (what is "one dollar" actually worth and the fact that it cost more than a penny to make a penny). The similarities do not stop there, unfortunately, as the process of inflation in the United States has made the US dollar much lass powerful globally. This could be a parallel to the other members of the court laughing at the king (other countries and the US). 

(Masked Ben Franklin. Source: Pixabay)

Week 8 Progress

Looking back:  So far, I am happy with my progress! I am honestly most proud of creating both a blog and a website and becoming baseline adept at navigating both- things are going well with both! I most enjoy writing stories and getting to put my own spin on them. So far, I have just been keeping with the designated schedule, so have not needed to use the extra credit options. I have also not made use of them to work ahead, since I have plenty going on as a baseline already. 

Looking forward:  At the end of March, my schedule clears up somewhat dramatically, so I hope to be able to spend more time in the writing of my stories. While I don't think that they have been bad, it has been a pitfall for them that I sometimes come up with a story that I deem to be "good enough". Perhaps unsurprisingly, stories are better when they are thought about and developed more.... I think this will also lead to me trying new things in my writing, though what they are I don't know yet. As I become more adept with using the website tools, I'll probably try to modify the look a bit, but frankly I'm pretty happy with it for now. 

 

(This is a picture of aviyal, a dish that comes directly from the Mahabharata. I am very exited both to write this story and make this dish! Source: Pixabay)

Week 8 Comments and Feedback

1. Feedback in. 

I think that the quality of the comments that I have been getting so far have been really great! While it's always nice to get complimentary feedback, I find that the feedback that I find to be most useful is the constructive criticism. I like knowing what others see in my stories as room for improvement that I might not see myself. 

 

2. Feedback out. 

I try to always include that which I hope for in the comments of my own stories- constructive criticism with an emphasis on the "how". I try never to give a piece of advice unless I can also write out the way I would go about implementing that advice. I have really enjoyed reading other people's writing- it was what inspired me initially to incorporate more dialogue into my own stories, and after reading my first bit of micro fiction just recently, I am inspired to do the same!

3. Blog comments. 

I don't necessarily know that I am getting to know people, as I am still having the randomizer assign me people I have not seen before. I am starting to get to the place, however, in which I am seeing familiar names more frequently, so I think my sense of familiarity with my classmates and their writing styles will grow as the class continues. I am happy with my intro- I think it's a pretty adequate portrayal of the things I am interested in and like to do! 

 

4. Looking forward. 

I think I will want to continue modifying the look of both my blog and website as I become more adept at using the software. I will continue to try to leave implement-able advice in my comments and minimize the "fluff" that surrounds this feedback. 

(I chose this image simply because I would very much like to get to a point where I feel like I have internalize this advice myself.... Source: Growth Mindset)

Week 8 Reading and Writing

Looking Back: Overall, I think the assignments are going well! I have been really enjoying working on improving my writing, and have noticed the greatest improvement in including dialogue. For some reason, I just wasn't including it in my earlier stories, and I think that they have gotten better since then! 

Definitely my favorite reading so far has been the Mahabharata. Although I have read it and watched it in the past, I guess I'm just consistent in my enjoyment of the epic! 

As I am in the process of writing my stories, I generally don't look back at the reading notes. I tend not to include specific stuff in there, so I use the process of writing the reading notes much more as a springboard for creating story ideas. 

Looking Forward: One of the most prominent things that I have noticed in terms of new strategies for research has been that this class has changed how I read books. I am an avid reader, and always try to make time each day to read at least a couple of pages. Recently, I have been reading my books more critically- looking at what storytelling tactics are used that I like or even just looking at the formatting of the story and using that to make my own writing better. I really want to keep doing this, not just because I think it is good practice in generally to read critically, but also because I really think it has changed (I think for the better) how I write stories!

(While I really like this image, it is the story that went with it that made me choose it. I think it is one of the more prominent displays of my changing and developing writing style. Source: Wikimedia)

Week 7 Story: False King

 Bhima stared. He could not believe his ears. Yudhistira's words echoed in his mind, replaying and reverberating there. 

"I allow you, by the rules of dharma, to choose your warrior."

The moment the words had passed from Yudhistira's lips, Bhima knew that he would have to fight one more battle that day. Any other time, in any other place, Bhima would have given anything to fight Duryodhana. But now Bhima felt the weight of Yudhistira's words on his heart like a death sentence. And that was what they were. Yudhistira would have known, had he taken but one moment to think of the ramifications of his so called "nobility." 

"Yudhistira, you know I cannot win this fight. Not by the rules you have set forth. Duryodhana's skill will the mace far surpasses my own, and I am wearied after this long day of battle." 

"Bhima my brother- you are the the best warrior I know. I trust Krishna will guide your hand in this battle." Yudhistira replied.

"Yudhistira- open your eyes! By your own rules of dharma, Krishna may not intervene. I will not win this battle. This fight would mean my death."

"And yet you must fight. Dharma holds you to it. Duryodhana has chosen you to face him on the field, and at sundown, you will meet him there."

Yudhistira turned, letting the rays of the evening sun wash over his face. Bhima stared. He didn't understand how Yudhistira could be so blind. Even now, after everything that they had been through. Bhima had thought that Yudhistira might have learned- learned that his actions had ripples that spread far beyond himself. His own brother had sentenced him to die. He took a deep breath, his heart breaking. 

Bhima was not going to die for a king in whom he no longer believed. His life would not be forfeit to a false king. 

(Duryodhana and Bhima's final battle. Source: Wikimedia)

Author's Note: Throughout my reading of the Mahabharata, I have wrestled with whether or not I think Yudhistira deserves to be king. He gambles away his kingdom, his brothers, himself, and his wife. Not very kingly, I would say. He seems to learn from his mistakes at least somewhat during his time in exile, but when he allows Duryodhana to choose the warrior he is to fight, all of his progress comes crashing down. Duryodhana knows that his skill with the mace is far greater than Bhima's and that he will be able to beat Bhima in a fight. Never mind acting kingly, Yudhistira just needs to act like a human being here! I don't know what Bhima must have been thinking, but this is my best guess. 

Bibliography: Public Domain Mahabharata. Story: Duryodhana Falls

Reading Notes, Public Domain Mahabharata, Part D

Bibliography: Public Domain Mahabharata. Story: Duryodhana Falls

Notes: I am just all over the place with Yudhistira at this point. I can't decide if I think his few good qualities outweigh the massive troubles that he has caused for his brothers and for his people as a whole. I am becoming unconvinced. 

            I am less familiar with this section of the Mahabharata, and wanted to know more about this story, so did a bit of further research online specifically as to why Yudhistira had such a big problem with Bhima fighting Duryodhana. I mean, its not as if Bhima hadn't been making his intentions clear for a pretty long time. It turns out, it was Yudhistira's sense of honor, of dharma, that caused him to initially allow Duryodhana to pick which warrior he was going to fight, but also take issue with the fact that Bhima did not really fight fair. What really galled me about that particular bit was that the only reason that Bhima chose to break Duryodhana's thighs is that he cannot win the fight fairly, meaning that in asking him to fight fair, Yudhistira would condemn Bhima to death. Now, I realize that not all siblings get along equally well, but I'd be pretty miffed if my sister ever asked me to do such a thing, or at least did not try to help me come up with an alternative. 

            During my research of this story, I was pleased to learn that Krishna shared my exasperation of Yudhistira's actions. I think it might be interesting to write a story either from the perspective of Bhima as he is forced to watch again as Yudhistira's actions once again negatively impact his life, or from the perspective of Krishna as he realizes that the leader of the Pandava who he has been actively helping this whole time may not really deserve to be there he is. 

(Battle between Duryodhana and Bhima. Source: Wikimedia)

Reading Notes, Public Domain Mahabharata, Part C

 Bibliography: Public Domain Mahabharata. Story: Riddles at the Lake

Notes: Whenever I have read through or watched other versions of the Mahabharata, this is one of the other stories that I have really enjoyed. First of all, I am just always a fan of riddles, especially in books. Golem and Bilbo's competition in Lord of the Rings, Emma outwitting her suitor through the solving of a riddle in Jane Austen's "Emma," the sphinx's riddle in Harry Potter- these are always favorites of mine, and this tale with the Pandava was no different. 

        I also appreciate that this story allows Yudhistira to get some redemption for the behavior that got them into exile in the first place. I have always wondered about the fact that the Pandava seemed to be ok with him remaining king (albeit king of not very much) after he gambled everything away. I am not saying that I think all monarchs and world leaders always do rational things or are the best leaders, but generally something that phenomenally stupid gets you kicked out. This scene gives Yudhistira a chance to prove that he actually has something that the his brothers do not- he may not have good impulse control, but there is some hidden wisdom there.

        I think it might be interesting to play with this concept in a re-telling of the story- to play up the fact that Yudhistira is actually using his time in exile to learn and grow from his mistakes. This could be the first time that he is forced to put these newly learned skills to use to protect his brothers. There could be thoughts of also drinking the water or simply engaging the god of death in a fight, but then memories of the game of dice flit through his mind and cause him to chose to step back, think, and only then to act. 

(The Pandav Caves- Hypothesized to be where the Panava stayed during their exile. Source: Wikimedia)

Week 6 Lab- Storybook Research

Bhima and Hidimba: 

Sources: Ristin, Wikipedia

Notes: When looking more into the character of Bhima, I thought it might be fun to delve more into his relationship with both Hidimba and his son Ghatotkacha. While some version of the story present him as being ambivalent towards marrying Hidimba, most versions agree that he loved his son. Given Bhima's ultimate decicsion to leave both Hidimba and Ghatotkacha to be with his brothers, this could be an interesting place to write a story. Given that my storybook takes place entirely during the time of the Virata Parva, some time will have passed since he left Ghatotkacha. Perhaps the story could present itself as a series of letters between Bhima and Ghatotkacha in which Bhima explains his decision to leave. 

(Ghatotkacha. Source: Wikimedia)

Draupadi, Krishna, and the grain of rice:

Sources: Devdutt, Pulao Recipe

Although the story of Draupadi, Krishna, and the grain of rice does not initially involve Bhima, it certainly seems like something that he would be very interested in... A single grain of rice and you feel stuffed- Bhima would eat a whole bowl full of such grains! I think the story could center around him going on a search for the field that would produce such grains (not knowing that it was Krishna who imbued the grain with its satiating powers). Draupadi, of course, would be reluctant to tell Bhima, as Krishna initially enchanted the grain so as to allow Draupadi to save face. Krishna might eventually take pity on Bhima and create a small field for him to harvest. This story could be accompanied with a recipe for rice. Though that might not be very exiting in and of itself, it certainly seems like people (perhaps in the Mahabharata itself) would have opinions about the proper way to cook rice. I certainly make and eat enough rice so that I would like to know if I have been doing something horribly wrong all of these years! It could also be accompanied by a recipe for pulao, a rice-based dish mentioned in the Mahabharata. 

Reading Notes, Public Domain Mahabharata, Part B

Bibliography: Public Domain Mahabharata. Story: Draupadi Lost/ Draupadi in the Assembly Hall

Notes: Whenever I have read or watched any version of the Mahabharata, I have always loved the story of Krishna coming to Draupadi's aid. Too often we see women being victimized (such as in Rama and Sita's story), and this is not so much the case here. I have always appreciated that Draupadi stands up for herself when she is gambled away- she does not just sit there and accept her fate (even though she is eventually forced into it anyway). I like this version of a female character who is able to kind of call the guys on their questionable actions (I don't really understand her forgiving Yudisthira so quickly, but I appreciate that she at least seems incensed by his gambling). 

        I was waiting for a new incarnation of this story in the Public Domain version, but have to admit that I was slightly disappointed when it kind of just glossed over it. I thought this presented an opportunity for a story! Given how much I already like it, I thought doing some research and expanding on it would be fun. 

         I liked that the "Draupadi Lost" story was written in verse- somehow, things written in poetry have always carried more dramatic weight for me. I thought that I might continue that trend with my version of the story. I also wonder how Draupadi and Krishna's story continues (if it does). Although this is not the first time that a god comes to the rescue of a mis-treated woman (again Sita's story), this time feels different because Draupadi feels more in charge of her own narrative. What must have been going through Draupadi's mind as she is forced to face the court with threat of being stripped and who knows what else. How must she have then felt that Krisha was the one to come to her aid and not one of her so-called devoted husbands?

(Draupadi under Krishna's care. Source: Wikimedia)

Reading Notes: Public Domain Mahabharata, Part A

Bibliography: Public Domain Mahabharata. Story: Ekalavya

Notes: I have read and watched couple of different versions of the Mahabharata, and Ekalavya's story has just always rubbed me the wrong way. I know that the Mahabharata is sort of unique in that there are not really any "good guys" or "bad guys." This story, however, feels different from other cases in which people who fulfill more traditional protagonist roles do acts that are villainous in nature (such is the case when you learn Shakuni's backstory and it makes his actions much more understandable, though no less heinous). In this case, Arjuna and Drona just feel petty in their actions. Perhaps there is an understandable motive behind their asking for Ekalavyas's thumb, but I have to be honest, it would have to be a pretty darn good reason before I think that mutilating a young hardworking boy is ok in any sense. 

        I went and did some research online, but wasn't able to find anything that explained Drona's request. This might be a place to insert a story. I don't know, however, that I might possibly be able to spin that would take the acid out of my mouth. So perhaps the better route to go is to tell Ekalavya's story after he is asked to cut off his thumb. I am generally not one for revenge tales, so I think I would rather go the route of having him achieve victory some other way. Maybe he trains with his middle fingers until he is back up to par. He could then disguise himself and enter an archery competition against Arjuna and win. This would be a way of sticking it to Drona without actually resorting to violence (I am never a fan of answering violence with violence)- proving that no matter what Drona does, hard work and dedication will always win out. 

(Bow and Arrow. Source: Wikimedia)