Possible Storybook Project Topics
These Storybook Projects do
not require extra reading beyond your assigned reading for class.
Instead, you will choose stories as you go along that you can use in your Storybook
Project (or, in some cases, you might want to read ahead so that you can include
a story that we have not actually read yet for class). If you want to do extra
reading, that is great - but all of the topics proposed below can be based
on the assigned readings for class.
So, take a look at the list below and see what topics might interest you.
For each topic, there is a link to additional information. When you find a
topic you like, click on the link to find out more. You
will be able to browse through sample Storybooks for each topic, along with
a list of possible stories, plus
resources for background reading.
Stories about a religious concept or a particular god:
- Dharma:
The term Dharma can be translated as truth, righteousness, order, or duty;
both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata are about the preservation, or destruction,
of Dharma in the world. Find
out more.
- Karma: Karma
is the principle of action and consequences which is fundamental to both
Hinduism and Buddhism (understanding karma is one of the most important first
steps in appreciating both Hindu and Buddhist philosophy). Find
out more.
- Reincarnation:
Closely connected to the idea of Karma is the idea of "reincarnation" or "rebirth." Like
the belief in karma, the belief in reincarnation is shared between Hindusim
and Buddhism. Find out more.
- Maya: Maya is the
principle of illusion, and it accounts for one of the most fundamental differences
between what you might call a European worldview and the worldview espoused
in the ancient Indian epics, where reality is constantly challenged by illusion. Find
out more.
- Śiva: Śiva is the
destroyer god of the Hindu "trinity" of gods, Brahma, Śiva and Vishnu,
and he continues to be the object of cult devotion throughout India today. Find
out more.
- Vishnu: Vishnu is
the savior god of the Hindu "trinity" of gods, Brahma,
Śiva and Vishnu. Especially in his avatars Rama and Krishna, Vishnu is the object of cult devotion throughout India today. Find
out more.
- Indra: Indra is
a god of war and of storms, and he is involved in many famous mythological
stories (including his notorious seduction of the woman Ahalya, which you will
read about in the first week of class). Find
out more.
Types of Characters in the Ramayana and/or Mahabharata (for
most of these Storybook Projects, you will not necessarily be under as much pressure
to start reading the Mahabharata early):
- Female Characters:
There are extremely important female characters in both epics, and these
include not just humans, but demons and goddesses too (along with some characters
who switch back and forth between being male and female). Find
out more.
- Brothers:
You can find many marvelous stories about brothers in both the Ramayana and
the Mahabharata (in fact, the main plotline of both epics is about brothers!). Find
out more.
- Kings: Good kings,
well-meaning but failed kings, and just plain bad kings - you will find examples
of all of these types of kings in the epics (if you are interested in leadership
- political, spiritual, moral - then this would be a great topic). Find
out more.
- Sages and Gurus:
The world of Indian epic is filled with sages and gurus who are the heroes
of many exciting mythological stories (if you are interested in the Hindu
religious and mystical traditions, this would be a good topic to look at). Find
out more.
- Animal Characters:
There are many animal characters in both the Mahabharata and the Ramayana
- monkeys, bears, eagles, etc. (cows are not the only sacred animals in India,
as you will learn - monkeys are sacred too). Find
out more.
- Demons: Demon
characters figure prominently in both epics, and in the Ramayana in particular
(the character of the demons is not exactly
what you would expect from the European/Christian tradition). Find
out more.
Types of Stories included in the Ramayana and/or Mahabharata (for
these Storybook Projects, you will not necessarily be under as much pressure to start
reading the Mahabharata early):
- Birth Stories:
Indian epics, and Indian mythology in general, is full of miraculous birth
stories (people born from fish! from pots! from earth! from fire!). Find
out more.
- Death Stories:
Some of the most dramatic moments in the epics involve the deaths of the
characters (often, but not only, in battle). Find
out more.
- Love Stories:
There are stories of love (and also stories of illicit passion) in both of
the epics you will be reading. Find
out more.
- Positive Exempla:
Throughout the epics, there are many stories which are intended
to exemplify positive virtues and qualities, worth of imitation (both of
these epics are "didactic," meaning that part of their function
is to teach right behavior). Find
out more.
- Battles and Weapons:
Both the Mahabharata and Ramayana are filled with detailed descriptions of
the weapons used by the warriors in battle, including both natural and supernatural
weapons. Find
out more.
- Places and Settings :
The Mahabharata and the Ramayana unfold in settings throughout the Indian
subcontinent, from the Himalayan peaks to the flood plains of the Ganges,
and even to the island of Sri Lanka (this would be a great topic if you are
interested in learning more about the land of India and possibly traveling
there). Find out more.
Storybook Projects about a Major Character in the Ramayana:
- Rama: Rama is
an incarnation of Vishnu, born to save the world, a paragon of strength and
also of tranquility (if you think of Homer's Iliad being about the "wrath
of Achilles", Rama is the opposite of wrathful Achilles in every possible
way!). Find out more.
- Hanuman: Hanuman
is the divine monkey warrior who is Rama's loyal friend and ally (monkeys
are still widely regarded as sacred in India because of Hanuman). Find
out more.
- Sita: Sita is
Rama's wife, and it is her abduction by the demon lord Ravana which is the
main story of the Ramayana (and there is enormous controversy in the different
versions of the story which tell how Rama treated Sita after he rescued
her from Ravana). Find out more.
- Ravana: Ravana
is the demon-lord who kidnaps Sita and does battle with Rama - he is undeniably
evil but absolutely fascinating at the same time. Find
out more.
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Modern
Languages MLLL-4993. Indian Epics. Laura Gibbs, Ph.D.
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Page last updated:
August 11, 2008 5:47 PM
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