Interests
- I find it very interesting that this is what is used to show the ideal. This is what “perfection” looks like, and I think it’s interesting how this perfection is characterized. Equanimity, grace, devotion, and loyalty are highly favored (pg 2), and this is what people strive to characterize in their own lives. I find it really interesting that each character embodies a different ideal, and how the ideal manifests throughout the story.
- I found the contrast in the women very interesting. It is set up like good versus evil, but I don’t think it is that clear or that easy to make that assumption. I think it’s fascinating that this the aspect that the author chooses to focus on with women.
- At the very end, the author talks about whether or not this story is “true.” What was fascinating to me was the fact that this epic had a lack of history. Sattar also notes that this epic seemed to have characteristics of other gods. Sattar also notes that this epic could have grown across the centuries and that this could have been based on real people (pg 30). If that’s true, it’s incredible to see how far this story has come and the impact it’s had on cultures.
Questions
- Why are the monkeys so important? Why is this the animal that they choose? What this the significance or symbolism behind them? I know several others have asked this too!
- How do women today view the story of Śūrpanakhā? Is this a part of the story that changes with different cultures (pg 1)? Is it really so important that he not be “ensnared by a woman’s charm” that they are able to mutilate her (pg 8)?