Creation Myth

Long, long ago, there was a time when the world was a bit of darker place, for the stars were not yet created.  During the daytime, the earth was illuminated with the light from the sun god.  The sunlight helped the people of the Earth, by brightening the world and allowing their crops to grow.  At nighttime, the moon goddess was responsible for providing light, which was especially helpful when people went on expeditions through the night.  However, every month when the new moon approached and the moon was hidden, the night was completely pitch black.  On this dark day of each month, the horned-monsters of the Earth emerged from their slumber to try to kill the humans who roamed the planet.

One day, a hero by the name of Lucia set out to kill one of the horned-monsters.  He was successful in slaughtering one of the ugly creatures.  The planet praised Lucia for being so brave by risking his life for the people of the Earth.  Lucia burned the creature's body, (everything but the horns) as a sacrifice to the moon goddess.  The moon goddess was very pleased with Lucia so she took the horns of the beast and punched holes in the canvas of the sky through which light magically poured out.  These holes in the sky became what are now the stars, a gift from the moon goddess to ensure that no night would ever be dark again, and so the horned-monsters would never return.

Sita Sings the Blues

Sita Sings the Blues is based on the story of the Hindu epic, Rayamana, and also incorporates a modern parallel to the director, Nina Paley's own life.  This film focuses on Prince Rama, who was banished to the forest for fourteen years by Kaikeyi, his father's favorite wife.  Rama's wife, Sita insisted that she follow her husband into the forest, for she could not possibly live without him.  Sita is eventually kidnapped by Ravana, the king of Lanka.  Although Ravana wished to marry Sita, she always remained faithful to her husband, Rama.  Sita hoped and prayed that Rama would return and rescue her.  Eventually her husband did come back for her, however, he doubted her purity.  Rama accepted Sita back after she proved her purity to Rama in a "trial by fire."  Rama, yet again questions Sita's loyalty, because he does not know how one can consider a person who had been in another man's bed "pure."  Rama ends up banishing his now pregnant wife into the forest.  Sita ends up giving birth to two sons who are indeed Rama's, and not the king, Ravana's children.  The film ends with Sita asking for Mother Earth to take her back into her womb if indeed she had never thought of another man, and was pure in her body and soul.  Mother Earth took Sita into her womb, which ultimately proved to Rama that his wife was faithful to him all along.

I believe that this film exhibits heroic mythology as well as social order/values mythology.  Rama, is depicted as the ideal man; he is a great son, husband, great warrior, etc.  He definitely possesses the qualities of a hero, and he proves to be heroic when he rescues his wife from the demon king, Ravana.  On the other side of the spectrum, I can also see how Sita can be considered a hero in this film.  Although, her fate may seem tragic, I believe that her everlasting loyalty to her husband proves that she is a real hero as well.  She proved her devotion and unconditional love to her husband.  She raised her two sons and taught them to praise their father, Rama, even though he had banished her.  Social order and values are greatly seen throughout the film, mainly emphasizing the significance of loyalty and faithfulness.  An example of this can be seen in the beginning of the film when Rama is ordered to leave for the forest.  Rama does not question this order, rather, he remains obedient and does as he is told.  I especially believe that this key value applies to women.  It is highly expected that a woman will remain pure and will dedicate herself to her man.  The main character who exemplifies being loyal is Sita.  Throughout the duration of the film, Sita proves how great of a wife she is to Rama.  Her love and faithfulness is unchanging, although Rama is untrusting and suspicious of her.  She ultimately makes an impacting sacrifice, which once and for all shows her devotion to her husband.  I believe the very end is where these two themes come together, in that, Sita proves that she is a hero by making that sacrifice for her husband, confirming her lifelong loyalty and dedication.

Introduction

Hi!

My name is Stephanie Baron, but I normally go by Steph.  I am currently a senior (well, actually a super senior) in the College of Nursing and I am minoring in psychology.  For my nursing major I am required to take a literature course, and out of all the courses offered, I am the most interested in world mythology.  I have learned a bit about mythology in high school (mostly just Greek myth, although I do not remember all that much about it), so I am excited to take this class.  Taking a class like this will definitely be different from the nursing classes that I am used to, so I am enthusiastic to see what we will be learning about!  That's a little about me!

(This is a picture of me...)

-- Steph