Reading Notes: PDE Ramayan, Part A

King Dasharatha. Indian Myth and Legend by D. A. Mackenzie

• When talking about the setting of the story, the author included beautiful, detailed descriptions of the buildings that were there, what the streets were composed of, etc. There were also descriptions of animals in there that were written poetically when talking about the rustling of the winds. 
• Quick mention of the great gods, Vishnu, Indra, and Shiva, which puts in perspective the role of divinity within Indian Epics themselves.
• Rama's holy divination leading to his own creation and telling of fascinating adventures throughout is basis to the plot line.

Rama: Avatar of Vishnu. Indian Myth and Legend by D. A. Mackenzie

• Inclusion of conflict that is currently going on up the godly world, which coincides with the main storyline. I think that the creation of multiple plot lines make the stories even more interesting to read especially with how big divinity plays a role in the stories!

Thataka. Indian Myth and Legend by D. A. Mackenzie

• The usage of celestial weapons as reward creates an overall goal within the battle, and ultimately the plot itself. This aspect can be created with a number of other "rewards" that can offer the main character powers or an advantage!
• Action writing in this story also creates suspense and excitement within the stories themselves

Sita. Indian Myth and Legend by D. A. Mackenzie

• Usage of quotations and dialogue is imperative to understanding the interactions between characters in the story

Rama Wins Sita. Indian Myth and Legend by D. A. Mackenzie

• Story is written in poem form, with couplets that depict the whole action sequence

Parashurama. Indian Myth and Legend by D. A. Mackenzie

• Plot point with certain "tests" for the main character Rama. Tests such as these are critical as it also creates suspense for the readers as well as opportune for showing character development and depth throughout the stories themselves

Rama the Heir Apparent. Indian Myth and Legend by D. A. Mackenzie

• Include not only issues within the heavens, individually, but also issues that spawn within the family, just as Rama's father having to decide which of his sons are to be heir to the throne. Such decision can spawn even more plot points as it can create jealousy and anguish among the ones not chosen, and that character can become the antagonist of the story on his own path to take the throne away from the heir.

Crossing the River. Indian Myth and Legend by D. A. Mackenzie

• Like the stories how they have to strip their royal clothing, there can be point to changes in caste systems where the royalty have a taste of what it is like in the slums, or can telltale of the complete opposite.

Dasharatha's Death. Indian Myth and Legend by D. A. Mackenzie

• Ending in death of a character which was one of the firsts to be introduced can be pathos point in the story to grab the reader's attention as well as evoke feelings of empathy.

(Death of King Dasharatha. Source: Metropolitan Museum)