Week 11 Reading: Part A (Jataka Tales)

For the first reading section this week I chose to read through the Jataka Tales. I always love any chance to read these stories as they're such a fun jaunt into principle, ethics, morals, and wisdom. They always do a fantastic job of communicating information in a very succinct, enjoyable way. I won't write summaries of each one, as they're already brief enough and it would be a be rude to cut them down any further. Essentially, each tale lays out a scenario where someone has a goal (usually devious) and selfishly pursues the goal until failure. There's always a lesson in one of the above areas and it's always very clear cut - these tales rarely have any ambiguity in communication.


Photo Source:
The Lion | Jataka

Source:
Jataka Tales | Ellen Babbit

Week 9 Story: Allegiances

SINGLE ACT: KUNTI & KARNA
INT.
In times of strife mankind defines itself; individual’s truest selves emerge to be welcomed or scorned. This is no different than the turmoil Karna felt on the eve of his battle with Arjuna. As Karna steeled himself mentally and physically, preparing for such warring, his mother, Kunti, sought him out in hopes of changing his perspective.
INTERIOR TENT - DIMLY LIT - KRISHNA ENTERS
KRISHNA
Karna, if you accompany me back to the Pandava camp and we speak to the brothers together they’ll surely not find you wanting. They simply don’t understand your role in all of this; if you explain they’ll yield to you.
KARNA
I cannot simply abandon those who rely upon my words out of some thin hope for reconciliation with those who neither want nor seek reconciliation. Leaving Duryodhana now would end our counsel and our friendship.
KRISHNA
Not at all, these are wise men - even if tempers are high and the Pandavas are full of vitriol they’ll be made to understand. Karna..
KARNA
Enough, what you speak of is desertion, it’s folly, it’s weak. There is no sense in my abandoning my role here for the potential of a lesser post in a weaker, unformed empire.
KRISHNA
They’ll make you king if they learn of your lineage.
KARNA
Even if they yield to me, even if they cede the throne to me, history will remember me as a lesser Arjuna. I’ll go down in the annals of time as a pretender. The records of me will not show this; I will meet Arjuna on the field and our clash will display some level of providence. Our struggle will establish dominance, it will be decided who is stronger, neither will yield. Now, Krishna, our time together must come to an end. If we’re lucky we’ll meet again soon - our forms may be earthly or celestial, but regardless we shall meet again soon.
KRISHNA
Truly, Karna, you’re stronger than what is known and stronger than what will be remembered.
The two embrace, their respect for each other is obvious, but they cannot remain together as this struggle does indeed drive a wedge between even friends


Author's Note:
I set out to write this specific exchange because I think this episode of the Mahabharata is amazing. The dialogue between Krishna and Karna is easily one of the more powerful moments in this epic, as we see both men so entirely vulnerable. They're explaining in as many words their need to be recognized, but this need for recognition and love drives a wedge. We see Krishna appeal to Karna in an attempt to prevent the battle between him and Arjuna, as it would be such a senseless loss of greatness if even one of them were to fall, but because of that respective greatness Karna feels he must go to war, if for nothing else than to prove himself. The fear of being in Arjun's shadow beats his risk of death and so he goes to war. I expanded this conversation some from the original telling and hopefully it communicates effectively how important this exchange is to the unfolding of the epic.

Bibliography:
Mahabharata
Photo Source:
Krishna & Karna

Week 9 Reading: Mahabharata Parts A & B

It was interesting watching through the Epified Mahabharata; I feel like I gained a greater understanding of the timeline established early in the story. We see the development of the people who are responsible for the development of the next era of the story. I think the episodic version of the epic lets the viewer get more involved in the world, as we see the characters visually. The ability to see the emotions of individuals visibly helps tether the viewer to the story. The plot follows the Mahabharata as earlier readings have done. Something that struck me more clearly this time through was the impact on Drona that the meeting, and subsequent rejection of, Ekalavya.




Photo Source:
Epified 'Now in Hindi' | Youtube-Epified

Week 8 Progress

This semester has definitely been a learning experience. I've had to access a more creative side of myself that's normally reserved for photography. Screenwriting, no matter how novice, is a very vulnerable thing. I'm glad with how things have been going. The amount of structure this class provides is amazing; due to this I've been able to be much more consistent than I expected. Looking ahead I'm hoping to get more creative in my word selection. I've learned I rely on 'sure' and 'surely' pretty heavily. All things considered, this has been an awesome course thus far and I'm excited to keep it rolling, improving where I feel weak and continuing what's going well.

I picked this image because this was my first real excursion into criterium racing and I was fortunate enough to be at this race and witness this dramatic conclusion to the night crit. I'm hoping to bring the same drive rolling in my courses to close this semester.


Photo Source:
Blue Dome Crit - Tulsa Tough | Biff Stephens

Week 8 Comments & Feedback

Through this semester I've been pretty excited with the feedback I've received. People have been giving criticism when warranted, alerting me to formatting issues, and just passing along the occasional compliments. These comments have helped me pay closer attention to my writing in hopes of keeping it more accessible and honest. I'm doing my best to pass along these same benefits as things progress, although I don't feel much right to criticize people's work. I'm hoping I'll get more comfortable critiquing writing, until then, I'll just keep on being excited by people's writing. Looking forward, I need to make my comment wall more easily found on my site to simplify things for my classmates. Also, I'm hoping I'll be able to leave more constructive comments as things progress.

Note: I've re-used a photo from the course wiki because it makes me very happy, but also very concerned for the wellbeing of the kitten pictured. Someone had best be sure it finds its way home safely because that's a handsome little cat.


Photo Source:
Feedback Cat | Dr. Gibbs

Week 8 Reading & Writing

So far in the semester I am pretty pleased with how my blog and website have turned out- they're both fairly minimal, but not drab. I'm pretty content with my writing so far; I've never done creative writing, so this has been a fun break from tradition. It's been fun accessing that side of the brain. The reading notes help me to write as they allow me to get more into the structural analysis of stories, rather than reading for the story. I picked the above picture for the same reason I chose it the first time around- its symmetry is very appealing to me. The focus on Kabandha with Rama and Lakshmana balanced on either side is interesting, especially considering what the picture is depicting. For the rest of the semester, I hope to continue getting out of this course what I have so far. I've been learning about a culture I hadn't heard much of before and getting to channel some sort of creative energy - that's plenty of benefit I'd say. So, hopefully things continue as they have and remain as fun as they've been.

Photo Credit:

Rama and Lakshmana seated on Kabandha's arms | Painting on ceiling of temple near Salem