Journal #1: When I first looked at "The World as 1,000 People", I wasn't very suprised until I looked further into the facts. What suprised me the most was that there was only 1 doctor out of the whole 1,000! This fact blew me away because it makes me wonder how 1 man can support 1,000 people. Also, the amount of Christians compared to all the rest of the religions was outrageous. I would expect the Muslims or Hindus to be at the top because of how many people are in India and the Middle East. The world is very "unfair" and is diverse amongst many countries. I feel EXTREMELY fortunate to have most of the items listed in "The World as 1,000 People".
Journal #2: "I shall incarnate as Dasaratha's son, and my conch and my wheel, which I hold in each hand for certain purposes, and my couch, namely, Adisesha, the Serpent, on whose coils I rest, shall be born as my brothers. and all the gods here shall take birth in the world below in a monkey clan..."-Page 5
EVIDENCE: Vishnu is talking about incarnating as a human being which is definitely a supernatural power. Also, he says "all the gods here" which helps me assume that he is with other gods.
"Mandorai, a woman bent upon destroying all the worlds, was vanquished by Indra and he earned the gratitude of humanity."
EVIDENCE: Only a god can destroy multiple worlds. Indra received the gratitute of humanity refers to him not being a human.
Rishya Sringa is confused what a human looks like because his father, King of Anga, is the only human he has seen. He is illusioned and sees humans as unknown creatures.
Vishnu reincarnates as Rama which illusions man-kind to think that Rama is not an unworldly being.
Thataka is a beautiful woman that is actually a horrific demon that kills and eats any living creature.
Journal #3: Jatayu was Rama's foster parent and the Great Eagle. He took on the form of a bird because of how divine, wise and spiritual he is. It shows that Rama was not the most fortunate person and he had to build up his character and reputation to what he is today.
Chapter 4 is, by far, the most illusory chapter for Rama. He meets many face, old and new, and cannot recognize them because of the different forms that they have taken. This reveals that Rama can recognize old friends by their personality and inner-being rather than their outer appearance.
Thoughtful response to the "village" article. Good examples of immanence. For the illusory examples, you could explain further their significance. Didn't Jatayu protect Rama because of his loyalty to Rama's father?
ReplyDeleteOn time = 5; Reading = 26; HOT = 24
Journal #4
ReplyDeleteRama is in "awe" when he first sees Sugreeva because he is a son of Indra and feels like it is a significant occassion. Sugreeva has been overwhelmed by his brother Vali and seeks compassion from Rama.
That was noble of Vali to hand over Hanuman to assist Rama and Sugreeva on their journey to kill Ravana. Vali's final stand does not make up for all the suffering he has put Sugreeva through. Rama had more reason to end Vali's reign than Vali had to continue his reign. In the novel, Rama makes the wisest decisions so that is another reason why I am sticking with Rama's argument. Examples: "After piercing my body with your arrows, and when I am about to die-you are touching my understanding with a supreme illumination, which I consider the greatest blessing ever conferred on me." Vali admits he has never really done good to anybody.; "Rama had made a vow to support your brother when he came seeking refuge. This was a prior promise had to be fulfilled..." Rama is honorable and caring for Sugreeva.
In politics today, presidents are only recognized as well-rounded people when they start their campaign and when they end their presidency. Americans try to find the worst characteristics of presidents even if they are near perfect. Barack Obama made people feel comfortable that he was going to change everything wrong in the U.S.A.; and now that he is president, everyone is starting to dislike him because of his views. Vali was given royalty as a king for some reason that had to be good. He then was realized as a horrible ruler and died with nobility.
Journal #7
ReplyDeleteI curse the Gingerbread man for stealing my innocence away. He convinced me to commit crimes such as gingerbread man murder, stealing gumdrops, and much more.
I throw a thousand plagues upon you.
Let rain pour down upon your gingerbread skin and decay.
I command terrifying beasts that stand on 2 legs to tear your soggy body apart piece by piece and slowly devour you.
You shall not be able to walk, use your arms, nor feel anything.
You will lie helpless on my kitchen counter so surrounded by the crumbs of men you made me murder.
Journal #8
ReplyDeleteWhen Gilgamesh travels to the Forest of Cedar with Enkidu he is trying to help out the town of Uruk. He wants to build the palace and homes out of the forest's wood.
When Gilgamesh travels to Uta-napishti alone he is trying to achieve immortality and is being selfish instead of thinking of others. Gilgamesh is greatly effected by the death of Enkidu so he destroys everything that is in his way. Siduri tempts him by telling him to do it for Enkidu and that she would pleasure him if he did so.
Journal #5
ReplyDeleteEvery comment that discriminates is unfair. Discrimination is based on assumption of a certain group such as sex, ethnicity, etc. Rama is assuming that women caused the men to fight when it was themselves who were fighting each other. The women could have mixed the emotions of the men but Rama had no right to state that "Women can lead one to death." I believe that women play some part in a man's life but it is the man's fault if he lets this woman control his emotional state of mind.
Journal #6
ReplyDeleteThe final battle was mainly a spiritual battle because it was Vishnu's purpose to help Rama defeat Ravana, but there was some psychological emphasis as well. It was very spiritual because several gods were looking over Rama when he was fighting Ravana. It wasn't very literal because the actions that were occurring in the battle sounded impossible and not what a real battle would look like. Rama also confronts Ravana before he dies which is not likely since Ravana was his foe.
Journal #9
ReplyDeleteA. Dear Mom,
A woman named Siduri confronted me today at a tavern by the sea. She locked me inside so but I threatened her to let me back inside because I thought she was up to no good. She offered me many pleasures but I refused all of them because her offer seemed "too welcoming". I think I have made the right choice on denying her hospitality because she is a stranger and you told me never to stay with strangers.
Love,
Gilgamesh
She locked me inside so but I threatened her to let me back outside because I thought she was up to no good.*
ReplyDeleteJournal #10
ReplyDeleteSiddhartha leaves his father's home and abandons his religions to join the Samanas that traveled through his village. His father becomes extremely angry with this but accepts it because he believes his son makes wise decisions. I think it was a good decision because the ascetic way of life is more morally good than the Hindu religion. Although, the village did seem to dislike Siddhartha for making this poor decision, I think that this choice will lead to greater things later on in the book.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteGood thorough answer to #4. Journals #5 and #6 could have given some more specific details to support your conclusions. Both #7 and #9 show a good understanding of the book. For #10, Siddhartha's decision wasn't really based on "morals," but more on personal preference.