Within
this section of the reading, I found the treatment of Sita to be very
interesting. At different points within
the readings, she is blamed as the cause of all this or falsely accused. Surprisingly, she is falsely accused by Rama,
who is supposed to be wise and understanding beyond human capability. I found it odd that Sita was put into this
category as the cause when she had no choice in being kidnapped. Furthermore, why is Rama suddenly judging
Sita? He just helped Sugreeva rescue his wife who was taken by another man and
he made no objection about Sugreeva taking her back without question.
Quote:
“...Ravana shed
bitter tears and swore, ‘This is the time to kill that woman Sita, the cause of
all this misery,’” (Narayan 137).
I picked this
quote because it shows how Ravana instantly blames Sita for being the reason
why he has lost so many people at Rama’s hand and for his ultimate loss of
power. I can only wonder if this was a
common thing within Valimiki’s life.
Furthermore, Rama even mistreats Sita, who he believes is the most
virtuous woman in the world. She must
endure a trial by fire to ensure that she did not have a relationship with
Ravana. This ending seems a bit odd
because Sita is put on a pedestal the entire epic and is shown as being
completely devoted to Rama, but Rama still needs this assurance. I suppose it was put into the epic to show
beyond doubt that Sita was virtuous and perhaps to show Rama as less than
perfect, but it still rubs me the wrong way.
Sita enduring the trial by fire. Source: Wikipedia
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