- I think the fact that characters are no animals with human characteristics is interesting. It's not a huge leap from having spirits and demons occupy the world, but I'm not familiar with any other religious texts (Bible, etc.) that have talking and thinking animals.
- This is a surprisingly human tale for monkeys. A king, thought to be dead, returns home to find his brother on the throne. I wonder why they decided to tell this story with monkeys, it would make just as much since with humans. These monkeys clearly have an advanced society, they even have different classes of monkey (warrior, ruler, etc.). Maybe it makes more since to find a monkey kingdom in the jungle than a human one.
- The ambush is odd, it does not fit with what I have read about Rama's character. But, nowhere does it say Rama is a perfect human being, without flaws (such as cowardice). I think it adds some depth to his character, this could be a low point in his arc.
- Rama waiting in the jungle during his rainy season could be compared to Jesus spending 40 days in the desert. But I think the whole exile of Rama could be compared to Jesus spending 40 days in the desert. Exile seems to be a common element in many heroes tales (The Odyssey for instance).
- The story of the birds flying to high initially seems to be similar to the tale of Icarus. But this one involves a bird sacrificing his wings to save his brother, not a tale of hubris. Similar settings, but I think they ultimately have a different point. I think the point of this story is that even when we are hurt, we have to keep moving forward, because it gets better in the end.
- I think the Hanuman story is a great story about how you have to find your own inner strength.
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| Hanuman, courtesy of Shiv Mandir Vancouver |
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