Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Part C
In the story “Sampati and Jatayu” written by Frederika Richardson Macdonald, the author writes in the first person point of view of Sampati. With that being said, the story begins with the monkeys and bears, sent by King Surgiva to travel south to find Sita, running into Sampati and questioning why the bird’s wings were so burnt that he’s unable to fly. Therefore, by narrating the story, Sampati is able to tell his personal story in losing his wings in order to save his brother Jatayu. The readers can then experience the world through Sampati’s eyes. For example, in the sentences “Long I lay there unconscious because my agony had exceeded what life can know; at length I was awakened to the lord of death without its restful gain. I had no wing; my sight was dimmed; only the sense of pain was left! For some time I remained there, hoping all would be over soon,” the author is able to capture the audiences’ attention and create a strong sense of emotion in the readers. Furthermore, I think that I would also write in the first person point of view of Sampati if I was to retell the story.
After Sampati is done telling his story, the saint asks why the bird had come forth to him. Sampati replies with a question: “Of what good is life to a bird who has no wings?” I thought that this dialogue was really important in that it was the reason why he came forth to confirm the location of Rama’s missing wife, Sita. The bird had nothing else to lose so why wouldn’t he come forth?
Another aspect of the story that I enjoyed reading was how the author started and ended the story. Instead of starting the story with how he was injured, Sampati narrates about the freedom of a bird, being able to fly high into the sky and dive into the ocean without boundaries or limits. Therefore, when Sampati begins to explain how he damaged his wings, it would appeal more to the readers emotions. Additionally, near the end of the story, the author writes about how Sampati successfully makes a good impression on the Simians, and having empathy for the bird, they carried him across the ocean to mourn his brother as well as restoring his beauty as a bird.
After Sampati is done telling his story, the saint asks why the bird had come forth to him. Sampati replies with a question: “Of what good is life to a bird who has no wings?” I thought that this dialogue was really important in that it was the reason why he came forth to confirm the location of Rama’s missing wife, Sita. The bird had nothing else to lose so why wouldn’t he come forth?
Another aspect of the story that I enjoyed reading was how the author started and ended the story. Instead of starting the story with how he was injured, Sampati narrates about the freedom of a bird, being able to fly high into the sky and dive into the ocean without boundaries or limits. Therefore, when Sampati begins to explain how he damaged his wings, it would appeal more to the readers emotions. Additionally, near the end of the story, the author writes about how Sampati successfully makes a good impression on the Simians, and having empathy for the bird, they carried him across the ocean to mourn his brother as well as restoring his beauty as a bird.
Image information: Sampati guiding the monkeys, Image credit: Ritsin
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