Week 11 Reading Diary, cont.: Breaking the Bow

reading: Part A of Breaking the Bow: Speculative Fiction Inspired by the Ramayana, ed. Anil Menon & Vandana Singh (2012)

I've been so excited to get to read this! I first ran across the anthology probably a little before it came out, when I was looking for speculative fiction (particularly sci-fi) by non-English and/or non-Western authors. It's out there, even in translation, it's just not always that easy to find! So, loving both sci-fi and new takes on old stories, I had long been looking forward to finding a copy of this book and reading it.

The introductions made it clear that this epic has so. many. different versions, and this anthology is just adding to them. I knew, of course, that individual storytellers are each going to have their own way of telling the story, but I hadn't realized how much leeway there is and just how much adaptation has been done over the years. It's something I would definitely love to learn more about! It kind of reminds me of Arthurian legend, how the same basic things get retold, but in different ways and different languages, over a long period of time, essentially creating its own genre...

The first story didn't impress me too much. It seemed like an extended version of something someone might do in this class, which is cool within the course framework, but not particularly revolutionary or notable within this anthology. Mostly I was just disturbed by the vitriol of some of the "comments."

The second story, "Exile," was amazing. I was reading it while sitting in a crowded, loud room, and I realized partway through that I was so absorbed I'd completely blocked out all the people around me. It's set in a futuristic world -- again, I always love the sci-fi -- and is able to do a lot of world-building, and do it clearly, within not very many pages. It didn't do much for me in terms of having me come away with a social message or anything, but the future subculture it built around the epic was pretty awesome.

I realized after the fact that the first three stories (how far I've read so far) relate loosely to Surpanaka being humiliated, as here where Lakshmana has cut off her nose.

Raja Ravi Press, 1920s

source: Wikimedia Commons

Week 11 Reading Diary, cont.: Palace of Illusions

reading: Part H of The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (2008)

It is done. I was surprised that there were still several chapters left after the big battle, but then, the original epic does cover long-reaching consequences of the conflict. The novel most of these events in only slightly more detail than the succinct summary given by Narayan. They rebuild after the war, there's a prophecy about Pariksit, Krishna and all his family dies, the Pandavas die. Another couple decades of Draupadi's life summed up in little space.

This section of the novel was more rewarding than the last because the characters begin to heal. Draupadi, Kunti, and Gandhari finally come together, to help the widows who are left in desperate situations. They've come to regret many of their past actions, but the effects of these will inevitably come back to haunt them. Draupadi's voice matures at this point, as she finally begins to let go of the selfish concerns that have driven her before to look more at her relationships with those around her.

The last chapter was most interesting to me. The Pandava brothers and wife are on their last journey, one that is both physical and spiritual. Draupadi is the first to fall, and as she dies, she converses with Krishna one last time. With Krishna coming back and discussing metaphysics with her, I wonder (not knowing much about actual Hindu faith in practice) how much of this section is just literary content and how much begins taking on a spiritual/religious message. All of the strains of thought are finally coming together in this scene, with Draupadi coming to terms with the role of the individual in the world.

death of Draupadi

from Bahadur's illustrations of the Mahabharata, 19th cent.

source: Wikimedia Commons

Week 11 Reading Diary: Palace of Illusions

reading: Part G of The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (2008)

Well, this reading was heartbreaking. Turns out I had pretty much completely forgotten everything that happens after the battle. I roughly remembered that all five Pandava brothers survive, but their children and most of the other key figures do not (besides Krishna). I'd forgotten the part where everyone should be safe, but someone on the Kaurava side goes mad, breaks into the Pandava camp, and brutally kills Dhri, the five Pandava sons, and some other important people who are, again, slipping my mind right now.

This section really emphasizes the senselessness and monstrosity of war. The two sides start out with rules for war, but about halfway these get tossed out the window. Atrocity is countered with atrocity in a cycle that will only continue past the conclusion of the battle. At the end, the head honchos finally wake up to the fact that their drama-turned-battle doesn't just affect them; they're all heartbroken -- and so is everyone else around them. The conflict over succession has devastated the lands they would be ruling, which seems pretty counterintuitive to me.

So...if I thought Rama's treatment of Sita in the Ramayana was sad, the Mahabharata is even more depressing by the time the epic concludes. And I'm not even to the end just yet. But kudos to the epic for not just senselessly glorifying its heroes, but for showing the pathos that goes along with their actions and repercussions as well.

Just look at all the little people who are going to die because the couple of big ones can't get along.

image: Arjuna confronts Karna; painting c.1820 (Wikimedia Commons)

Week 10: Famous Last Words

Hopefully this is my hump week of the semester. (Is that a thing? I think in college life "hump week" is a useful concept. Also maybe "hump month." Sometimes things just really don't lighten up for several weeks. Or all semester.) Post-spring break, I'm finding it difficult to stay focus and work on class stuff when I have the time to do it. As my approaching-paper-deadlines stress gradually increases, it's not helping that I, erm, haven't really been doing that much research for them even if I have the spare time. If this is the only week (well, I guess the last week) I have this issue, it would be great.

I'm enjoying this course, of course, and reading Divakaruni's novel. It's getting a bit depressing, though, so I'm looking forward to moving on to Breaking the Bow (how often do you get to read science fiction for class??!!). I'm still holding out hope that I can forge on ahead a bit and finish the course early. While I like the subject material and assignments, it will also be nice to have one less thing to worry about towards the end of the semester.

The second story of the Storybook...not my best. I liked the character the first took on, but the second seems dry to me. I think a major part of it was not being familiar with the story as much as with Sita's, not having seen all of the nuance that people read into/take out of it. Also, I was trying to squeeze in a lot of cultural information at the same time, because with this festival there was actually a lot of detailed info online.

The pookalam flower carpets for Onam are my favorite festival tradition so far. 

(Wikipedia)

Hopefully the third story will go better. I think I'll have to use a comic book or graphic novel from the library as a main source, so that should be fun! I haven't yet ventured out to see what's on reserve for the Epics class -- I really prefer reading longer novels and such -- but I should definitely take at least some advantage of the resources pooled there. :)

Week 10 Reading Diary, cont.: Palace of Illusions

reading: Part F of The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (2008)

The end is drawing nigh, which is a bit frightening, remembering roughly what happens to everyone by the conclusion of the Mahabharata. I tend to prefer books without a great deal of violence and death...so this was a poor choice in those respects. I'm not looking forward to the next sets of chapters.

It was interesting, though, to suddenly be introduced to a host of new characters and reintroduced to some old ones. Kunti and Sikhandi are back, as are the sons of the Pandavas. I was particularly intrigued by the story of Hidimbi, Bhima's first wife, which I didn't remember from the epic. So many of these characters would be fascinating as the protagonists of their own novels! After all, they've all been doing their own things while the Pandavas are embroiled with their political and family dramas.

Hidimbi and the Pandavas

 (Wikimedia Commons)

Another interesting aspect coming up is Indian philosophies. A kind of current running in the background of this novel is Draupadi's stubborn independence, while admirable for her position as a woman in her culture in that time, also leads her to some decisions with far-reaching, lethal consequences. If she would just let go of her anger and fear, she'd be happier and also have avoided some of the incidents that lead to the path the story takes. In this last section of reading, these themes were spelled out to her by others more explicitly than they had been in the past.

Week 10: Review

I backed up my work for this class (for the first time this semester...I'm really bad about that) and realized that I have more assignments left this weekend than I thought. Oops. Can't forget about all the commenting!

My favorite announcement this week was the Bronte sisters power dolls video. I'd actually run across this video last year while looking for a Charlotte Bronte action figure (my friend had given me a Jane Austen one for my birthday, but Charlotte Bronte is my true favorite author) and was disappointed that this is the closest anyone's come to making dolls for the Brontes. Still, this video is even funnier than I remembered. :)

The Jane Austen action figure is cool, but not as cool as Charlotte Bronte.

(source: Archie McPhee)

Week 10 Storytelling: Marriage Counseling

Dr. Counselor: Well, I can’t say I’ve ever seen a case as unique as yours before. So…five husbands and one wife? I’ll try to help you out, but of course the usual marriage counseling strategies are aimed at monogamous couples. It’s going to take some creativity to adapt them. I’m up for the challenge if you’re willing to put up with some experimentation on my part.

Yudhishthira: Of course, doctor. I’m sure you’ll be able to help us.

Dr. Counselor: So can you describe what issues you seem to be having in your marriage? Jealousy, perhaps?

Arjun: Well, that’s a leading question! No, we’ve long passed any jealousy problems. Being married for over twenty years, we’ve found ways to work it out.

Dr. Counselor: So why did you all come in today?

Pandava brothers: Well…

Dr. Counselor: Yes?

Draupadi: [sighs] It’s because of me. They all get along fine. I’m the thorn in everyone’s side!

Bhima: Dear one, that’s not true! It’s just that this exile has been hard on all of us, and tensions are rising the longer we stay in the forest all together.

Nakula and Sahadeva: [mumbling] Because someone’s being a whiny b*#!@.

Dr. Counselor: Ahhh, I think I’m beginning to see the root of the issue. You’re not so different from other marriages after all –

Arjun: Yes, it seems to be the standard of woman to nag her husband about what can’t be helped!!!

Dr. Counselor: Now, now, let’s not raise our voices or point fingers. Communication is a two-way street. Brothers, what are your side of things?

Bhima: Draupadi is the perfect wife! I’m so sorry we got her into this situation. I don’t mind doing everything she wants. She deserves it, to so selflessly go into exile with us and give up so much!

Nakula: Except she then complains about everything! It’s all nag, nag, nag, “look at what a mess you’ve made of things,” “how could Yudhishthira be so stupid,” “you lost my lovely palace,” “how could husbands do this to their wife” –

Sahadeva: All she does is whine about how we need to seek vengeance! Which is totally our plan, but we have to finish our exile first and then worry about all that. The time will come, she just needs to learn patience.

Yudhishthira: It’s not all that bad. Draupadi is right – I really screwed up, and it affected all of us very negatively. Just, after so long, I feel like we’re growing distant rather than closer in our relationships with her.

Arjun: [mumbles] Yeah, I would rather be in the palaces of my other wives sometimes, but instead I’m always stuck with her.

Dr. Counselor: Draupadi, what’s your side of this?

Draupadi: I don’t think my husbands realize just how much this exile has affected me. That palace was home, it was the only place where I’d ever felt truly comfortable and in control. To lose that was devastating! And then the humiliation of the games with those Kauravas – a woman’s honor demands vengeance in such a case, and I can’t let my husbands forget their duty to serve it!

Dr. Counselor: O-kay, I think we have enough to work with here. There’s some hidden tensions here I’d like to parse out further, but those can wait for later. Like I said, the communication issues are quite clear. Let’s start by discussing how to address those, shall we?

attempted disrobing of Draupadi following Yudhishthira's loss of the game

Author's Note: Reading through Divakaruni's novel The Palace of Illusions, I was struck by Draupadi's attitudes and behavior during the Pandavas' exile. She's not a very supportive companion; rather, in her rage with the situation, she's berating her husbands about seeking revenge and making a lot of complaints and demands. She's never really had a loving relationship with the five brothers in this book, but I hate how bad it's getting at this point. I thought up the idea of marriage counseling, because I think part of the problem is that she's being blinded by her feelings, but also part of the problem is that she and the brothers aren't communicating well enough on their issues and relationships. I want them to work things out rather than just place all the blame on Draupadi's behavior.

Bibliography:

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, The Palace of Illusions (2008)

illustration from a Mughal period Persian Mahabharata (Wikimedia Commons)