Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Reading Notes: Folktales of Bengal, Part B

The Story of a Brahmadaitya
This story was really cool and I wasn't expecting it to end on a great note! I'm glad it did, but I was expecting something bad to happen, such as the Brahmadaitya not helping the Brahman at the end or the ghosts doing something to mess up the Brahman's plans. I'm glad it ended nicely, but if I rewrite it, I could end the story at a cliffhanger or with an unhappy ending. I love happy endings, but just to mix things up a little I could change it around!

The Ghost who was Afraid of Being Bagged
I really liked this story! However, I didn't like that the wife treated the poor Brahman as she did. She complained about everything and made the Brahman feel terrible about himself; a spouse should never make their significant other feel like that. If I were to rewrite this story, I think I would change it to where the Brahman left the wife or made her apologize for everything before accepting her again, because he should not have been treated that way! I could also set this story into present day, such as in a college or high school. 

The Bald Wife
I liked this story because it portrayed the life of someone who was loved very much, and one who wasn't. The one who was loved did not try to console the other; instead, she was rude and treated the other like a maid. When the loving one went to get help and was transformed into a beautiful woman with lots of gold, jewelry, and other riches. When she went back, she treated the other woman with kindness, even though the woman was mean to her. When the meaner woman got jealous and wanted to get as beautiful as the other, she didn't listen to the instructions and ended up staying the same. I like this theme of patience and obedience, so I may incorporate that into a story if I decide to rewrite this. 

Source: The ghost from The Ghost who was Afraid of Being Bagged.

Bibliography: Bengali Folktales, Part B

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