Interesting points:
Sattar states that “we can suggest that all Rama stories that follow Valmiki’s are attempts to resolve this issue narratively as well as structurally” (27). The idea that people want to add to stories to justify the actions of a beloved character is interesting. Rama’s “killing of Vali and his rejection of Sita” are so out of character, and the story itself is such a part of people’s heritage, that they seek and create resolution (27).
I like that at the end of the book, Kusa and Lava tell the story of Rama, and the reader experiences the poetic ending just as Rama does (19).
Sattar points out the many parallels between characters and situations throughout the story (6, 15). It will be interesting to see how these many parallels and similar relationships influence our understanding of the characters.
Questions/ Confusion:
I was somewhat confused by the concept of the Ramayana telling itself internally at times (19). I think I just need to read the narrative to gain a better understanding.
I am curious to see the exact ways in which gendered power structures come up throughout the story. Rama’s obsession with Sita’s purity after her capture takes attention and blame away from her capturer (17). How has this story influenced the treatment of women throughout the centuries?