What is dharma, and how do characters such as Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman exemplify the role of dharma?

Purpose: Practice discovering the epic themes of sacred and secular, the hero, and gender roles by considering a major early epic, the Ramayana.
This discussion should build your critical reading and analysis skills,
as well as help prepare you for your essays later in the course. Keep
in mind that, your central concern is to understand what the
evidence about these epic themes reveals about the relationship between
the epic heroes and their own cultures as well as the relationship
between epic heroes and heroic elements common to human society in all
times.
Tasks: Use the steps below to write 1-2
full paragraphs connected to the purpose and overarching themes in the
readings for this unit. Pick Option 1, 2, or 3 below, and follow the
steps outlined.
Option 1: Values of Hinduism and Hindu culture as found in the Ramayana: What is dharma, and how do characters such as Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman exemplify the role of dharma?
Option 2: Roles of Women: Given the male-centered
world of the culture, how do female characters such as Sita and Kaikeyi
demonstrate their power and seem to represent the culture’s view of
female characteristics? How does the portrayal of these women compare
with ways women are portrayed in other cultures or in our culture today?
Provide some examples of the traits of Sita or other women in the Ramayana and discuss the epic’s treatment of gender.
Option 3: The Hero’s Journey: Following his exile,
Rama’s journey is largely a battle. Discuss the representations of
good and evil, as well as the conflicts between good and evil in Rama’s
journey. What is significant about Rama’s eventual triumph? Is there
anything in Rama’s journey that reminds you of current quests or
battles?
Start by deciding which option above you would like to write about. Once you have made that decision, then:
Select a relevant passage of your own choosing from Ramayana.
Choose carefully, thinking about how these two passages might speak to
overarching themes and the bolded text in the Purpose, above.
Depending on which option you chose, explain the following:
Option 1: How does your passage illustrate a conclusion about actions that are motivated by dharma in the Ramayana,
and how is that significant or important for understanding Rama and
possibly Lakshmana or Hanuman within their culture–or heroes more
generally?
Option 2: How does your passage illustrate a conclusion about roles of women in the Ramayana, and how is that significant or important for understanding women within this culture or more generally?
Option 3: How does your passage illustrate a
conclusion about the meaning of conflicts between good and evil in
Rama’s question, and how is that significant or important for
understanding mortality as viewed within the Hindu culture or more
generally?
You might want to sketch out your initial thoughts in lists, a concept map, or whatever note format helps you the most.
Structure and revise your initial thoughts into 1-2
robust, well-developed paragraphs, using the passage you have selected
as evidence to support your ideas, and post them in the discussion.
Respond substantively to at least two of your classmates’
posts, explaining why you agree or disagree with them (and you may agree
with some parts and disagree with others). Include other thoughts you
may have about their topic and ideas. Include a quotation to support
each of your responses.
Criteria on which you will be graded:
Your selection of a passage to support your argument is thoughtful
Your analysis is specific and original
Your post speaks to your selected theme and the Purpose above.
Your responses to your classmates are respectful and substantive
Your writing is clear and well-organized
This activity may use a different grading rubric than what was used
in past activities. Be sure to check the grading rubric before starting.

Last Completed Projects