Feedback Focus

Focus graphic

(source: engine2diet)

I thought all of the feedback focus strategies that were provided were incredibly helpful. It's very difficult to rank them just because they were all effective for my focus. Even though the other two are close in comparison, I think the reading out loud method was my strongest tool. In doing this, I was able to hear myself say the words in a auditory sense which allowed for increased comprehension. When doing homework, I occasionally talk out loud to myself to I'm able to comprehend it easier. I guess it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that this was the most effective for me given this fact. I think the timer comes in second here even though it's so close. The timer allowed me to have a visual representation of my focus. This was a good reminder that focus needs to be kept. I also enjoyed the copy and delete method as it allowed for a deeper dig into the work while also allowing for a good sense of response. Overall, I really enjoyed getting to familiarize myself these methods as they will become extremely useful in the coming weeks.

Story: A Man's Weakness

Rama's frantic nature

(Source: blogspot)

Sita vanished into the distance. She was done. No more would she put up with the abuse of Rama. No more would she be guilted into proving her purity through extreme measures. She would no longer have to weep by the river from the hardships of her exile. She was through with the constant reminders that she spent time in another man's home? She was kidnapped for God's sake! There was no voluntary actions during that escapade. She shed her last tear over that man and Sita was now a free woman.

"She'll be back," Rama snickered as he walked away.

"I give it a week," Lakshmana chuckled.

There was not a worry in Rama's mind. He was the perfect being after all. No woman would be able to handle time away from him.

However, she did not return. Days turned into months. Months turned into years. There was absolutely no sign of Sita's return.

Rama began to grow bitter over the loss of his wife. There was no logic he could follow that explained the reasoning of his wife's abandonment. Rama's heart would grow heavy and attempt to beat out of his chest whenever he thought of her. He was not used to this feeling. He was not used to rejection and betrayal.

Rama organized a group of extraordinary trackers and warriors who were fit for the job of Sita's rescue. He would find his wife, there was no questioning this. 

After six months, the group returned with absolutely no lead on Sita. Rama burst off his throne and looked at the the leader of the rescue part straight in the eyes.

"You dare return without a single shred of evidence?" Rama boomed.

The man quivered in fear as Rama's eyes blazed with rage. He took one of the arrows from his quiver and dug it into the man's side. He howled in pain as blood began to rapidly poor from the wound. The rest of the party ran into the room to see what the outburst was about. Rama's fury only intensified as he used his bow to swiftly shoot down the entire rescue party in under a minute.

The room was an absolute bloodbath. The bodies of twelve lifeless men lay sprawled out across the floor. The tile was practically coated with red as at this point as the amount of blood began to accumulate.

Several of Rama's higher ups looked at his with absolute disgust. Rama was still breathing furiously until he finally realized what he had done. He looked at the massacre he had created. He grimaced at the sight of the carnage. Rama knew what he must do. He was not fit to rule anymore. He told his men he needed to take a walk. In all actuality, Rama was bestowing an exile upon his self. He walked out of the city gates knowing he would never return.

Rama walked through the forest until he happened upon a stream. He sat next to it and begin to question his existence. A small tear rolled down his face. Suddenly, a ghostly voice appeared from the distance.

"Rama," the voice whispered.

Sita walked out from the trees and approached her husband. Hope filled Rama's eyes as his wife had finally returned to him. The one who started all this sorrow was there to save him. Sita could sense the hope in Rama's composure and displayed a subtle smirk.

"My dear, now you know how it feels to be truly alone," Sita whispered.

She teased him with a kiss before making her way back into the forest.

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Authors note: For this story, I thought it would be interesting to focus on Sita's independent nature and the effects it would have on Rama. It's common knowledge that men can go absolutely nuts after women, so I thought to add this to the character of Rama. He misses his wife so much he turns to the murder of his own people. He was fine when he was the one exiling her, but when it was her decision to leave, he loses it.

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Bibliography: Nina Paley's Sita Sings the Blues
Link to this reading guide

Reading Notes: Part B of Nina Paley's Sita Sings the Blues

Sita weeps during her exile

(Source: sitasingstheblues)

The email that was sent by Dave to Nina was absolutely hilarious. I'm sure that was the intention to make light of an awful situation but its blunt nature along with its subject of 'dumpsville' was highly entertaining. That might be one of the worst ways to be broken up with. It was also worth nothing that he signed off the letter by saying 'love' which was also clever.

Bringing up the fact that Sita could have been impregnated by Ravana instead of Rama due to the quick announcement of the pregnancy was interesting. The narrators are having fun with the topic of Ravana like claiming his pure nature in the first half which was fun to see.

The portrayal of Sita's exile was incredible. Rama seems fine to welcome Sita in his home after sleeping in the home of Ravana until he hears a man below beating his wife for sleeping in another man's home. Rama then basically tells Sita to get lost. It was only because he felt that he had to relate to the common man if he were to rule them,

Sita's animation when she sings the blues during this half was priceless. She's a lot bigger given her pregnant state so she looks like a snake who just swallowed a exercise ball. Meanwhile, her waist is as skinny as can be. I love the art style.

It took me way too long to understand the correlation between the Dave and Nina story and the epic of Rama and Sita. It once I realized that, things became much more clear. It was to add a modern approach to the topics of the Ramayana.

It's still entertaining to me that Rama requires Sita to prove her purity once again. He has basically exiled her for the sake of being respected by his followers and this notion has caused her to mourn and be in pain. It was satisfying to see her leave.

Overall, I am extremely pleased I chose this film for my reading notes this week. I really enjoyed getting to witness something that was more from Sita's perspective after reading the Ramayana. The film did a great job of projecting her sorrows.

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Bibliography: Nina Paley's Sita Sings the Blues
Link to this reading guide

Reading Notes: Part A of Nina Paley's Sita Sings the Blues

Sita in her first half conclusion

(Source: theroarbots)

As a general remark, this was a very interesting video to watch (at least the first half). It was nice seeing characters from the Ramayana brought to life. There was a lot of variety in the art and animation which is quite rare to see an a film like this. Usually, creators like to stick to one animation and art form but this one bounced around.

The opening sequence with the couple and their cat was very unexpected. I was anticipating to instantly see characters from the Ramayana, but instead there two people living in what appears to be New York City. The animation of this sequence was pretty unique.

The three narrators arguing over the aspects of the Ramayana was highly entertaining to witness. They all had somewhat of an attitude which added some comedic undertones to this film. I enjoyed getting to watch them attempt to explain the epic even though they doubted it.

The narrators continue to explain the story and they are creating such an enjoyable aspect to this film. I really like the pace they decided to run with because it really works in my opinion.

I like how the artwork of the film was similar to the traditional Indian artwork of the Ramayana. However, when Sita broke out into the blues, this was completely eliminated and the animation transformed into something much more modern.

I really liked how one of the narrators basically starting to paint Ravana in a good light. It gave me the impression that were really making the view question the authenticity of his morals.

Ramanaya seems to resemble the genie from the Disney version of Aladin during Sita's singing of the blues episodes. That is at least one of my first thoughts upon seeing this manipulated art.

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Bibliography: Nina Paley's Sita Sings the Blues
Link to this reading guide