Monday, January 26, 2015

Week 3 Reading Diary A: Talking Animals, Sugreeva

pg 89-130

  • It's interesting that all these characters are animals, and yet that is totally normal. Even in fairy tales or nursery rhymes that's the case too. I bet the animals wish they couldn't talk so they wouldn't have get caught up in the disaster that is human life
  • I'm glad they specified that Hanuman was a 'giant' monkey - or human sized, as I am imagining him. Often times when there is a talking monkey, I just imagine it being regular sized and it becomes more comical than anything. Think Zach Braff as the monkey in 'Oz: The Great and Powerful'. 
Finley, the monkey in 'Oz: The Great and Powerful'. (Source)
  • I seriously dislike stories about human's doing favors for gods. The gods are supposed to be these all-powerful beings, but here they are always asking favors of humans, which almost always ends badly for whoever gives them help. 
  • I feel bad for Sugreeva because Vali is obviously a little power hungry, but the former has to be a little more aggressive and decisive if he wants to be king 
  • WHY would the gods grant a demon buffalo the wish the fight forever?? Seriously they are just asking for trouble 
  • Rama's grief for not protecting his wife is touching
  • Vali is terrifying. 
  • Tara is the voice of reason right now! And this meathead can't see it. Tsk tsk 
  • Lakshmana and Rama's short discussion about whether they should go through with the plan is interesting! They always have contradicting points that bring the full picture together
  • It's dumb that Vali is lecturing Rama about virtue, considering how he has behaved. He's just mad he lost! 
  • The apparent transformation of Sugreeva from wimpy man to lazy, cocky king is weird - no explanation as to why he got that way? Wine and pretty girls aren't really a reason
  • Tara stepping up! I like this woman/monkey
  • You really get a sense of how long it's been since Sita was kidnapped...I mean, in movies it happens so quickly, but through books you realize it's probably taking years for her to be rescued 
  • What is the purpose of the tunnel/trapped goddess story?

No comments:

Post a Comment