Typing Test Tech Tip

For this assignment, I tried RankMyTyping.com and TypingTest.com. I started typing in the sixth grade, when I took my first computer class. I've always considered myself to be a fairly average typer, and the results of these tests pretty much confirmed this assumption. At roughly 50 words per minute, my results from RankMyTyping placed me just above the average of all of my categories. Of the two tests, I liked RankMyTyping more because it gave better feedback. TypingTest allowed me to choose Aesop as the subject of my test, which was kind of cool since it related to our Week 1 assignments.

Week 5 Storytelling: Vali and Sugreeva

When Sugreeva received news that the great warrior, Rama, had arrived at Mount Matanga, his heart immediately filled with hope. Sugreeva’s closest companion, Hanuman, had told him many tales of Rama’s heroic deeds, and the two of them were convinced that he could be none other than the human incarnation of Vishnu. “All of these years, I have lived in fear of what my oppressive brother might do to me if I set foot off of this mountain, but no more! On this day, Vishnu himself has come before me to return my kingdom!” Sugreeva thought to himself. When Rama reached the top of the mountain, he was greeted kindly and proceeded to ask his acquaintances if they had any news about Sita. “What little information that I have about your beautiful wife is nothing in comparison to the strength of my armies. If you will return my wife and my kingdom, then I will do everything in my power to ensure that you find Sita free from harm.” replied Sugreeva, followed by the story about how Vali took his wife and forced him to live on Mount Matanga. “It is not like me to intervene in the affairs of rivaling brothers.” Rama responded. “However, it is my life’s mission to eradicate evil from this earth. Your brother is a very malicious and violent creature, who has taken many lives. For this reason, I will accept the conditions of your proposal.” Upon this agreement, the 4 embarked on their mission to confront Vali.

When they reached the base of the mountain, Rama and Lakshmana climbed to the top of the tallest tree and strung their bows, Hanuman stood at the base of the mountain, ready to protect his closest friend, and Sugreeva began to taunt his warmongering brother. Vali heard his brother’s petty challenges and could feel that he had finally set foot off of the mountain, unprotected by Sage Matanga’s curse. Vali equipped his armor and quickly departed toward his brother. When the two brothers finally caught a glimpse of one another, each one pounded his chest and let out a deafening screech. The battle had begun. Vali was much larger than his younger brother and clearly more experienced in hand-to-hand combat, but Sugreeva was agile and wise. For several hours, Sugreeva ran circles around his older brother, dodging Vali’s attacks, condemning him or his actions and trying to explain what really happened, but Vali would not listen. As the battle progressed Sugreeva grew tired, but Vali was used to long-lasting battles. When his brother stopped to rest, Vali raced toward him and kicked him with all of his might. Sugreeva fell to the ground, grasping his side, where Vali had broken several ribs. Rama knew that Sugreeva could not last any longer. As Vali approached his younger brother, both hands raised high above his head, ready to deliver the final blow, Rama quickly drew an arrow and delivered it to Vali’s heart.

 

(Battle between Vali and Sugreeva: ritsin) 

Vali removed the arrow from his chest and read Rama’s name from the head of the arrow. “Show yourself, coward!” demanded Vali. “I’ve heard stories about your noble ways and unrivaled marksmanship, yet you interfere with a conflict between brothers and slay one from the safety of the trees. You know nothing of honor, nor do you respect the rules of war.” At this moment, Rama emerged from the trees, his faced was red with anger. “How dare you challenge the honor of my ways! Your brother cared for you and did his best to protect you. He took care of your kingdom in your absence and you rewarded him by trying to take his life. He has lived in fear atop Mount Matanga all of these years, while you sleep safely inside the walls of your kingdom with his wife.”

In his final moments, Vali realized the corruption that came with his gift of strength. He had betrayed his own brother and treated him like an enemy. Vali sincerely regretted his actions and apologized for the years of torment that he had brought upon everyone. With his last breath, he gazed at Rama. “You are truly a great warrior. Watch over my brother and see to it that he is restored to his rightful position on the throne of Kiskinda.”


Author's Note: I chose to recreate this story because it was one of my favorite parts of the Ramayana. It was also one of the most significantly changed stories between the two versions that we've read, so I thought it might be fun to give my take on the events that occurred.

Bibliography: Buck, William (1976). Ramayana: King Rama's Way.

Week 5: Reading Diary B

The Golden Deer:

·       This is kind of unrelated to the actual story, but I think that it’s weird how so many of the characters’ names are spelled differently between these two versions of The Ramayana.

·       It’s funny that Ravana considers Rama’s obedience to his father to be a weakness when everybody else considers his noble ways to be one of his greatest strengths.

·       I prefer to think of Jatayu as an eagle instead of a vulture. Eagles just seem like more majestic animals.

Hanuman:

·       I liked the addition of Indra’s support while Sita was in captivity.

·       The curse that was placed on Ravana by Nalakubara also explains why Ravana didn’t rape Sita, which definitely seemed like something that he’d consider.

·       The story about Hanuman definitely helped to develop his character and provide a greater understanding of his strength.

·       In the previous story, it seemed like only Vali was cursed to die if he returned to the woods, but this version says that all monkeys were banished and cursed. I wonder why Sugriva and Hanuman were able to return to Matanga’s Wood? Perhaps it was because they had renounced Vali.

·       Vali’s final words were definitely better in the last version, but he also wasn’t made out to be quite as evil of a character in this one.

The Search:

·       Once again, it was good to see that Sugriva was more than happy to help Rama.

·       Despite his forgetfulness, he’s definitely a valuable ally with his knowledge of all areas of the world and the size of his armies.

·       This version gave a lot more detail about all of the different parts of the world. The imagery was great.

• I don’t understand why the monkeys and bears resolved to die. I’m sure that they must have been disappointed after failing to complete their mission in the allotted time, but they still could have continued trying to find Sita.

Week 5: Reading Diary A

Bharata Returns:

·       Why would Kaikeyi expect Bharata to delight in the news that his father banished his brother, then died from the pain that it caused him?!

·       I liked how much more dialogue there was in regard to Kaikeyi’s actions. The emotions that each character experienced were much more thoroughly developed. I also liked how Manthara actually received some of the blame.

The Sandal:

·       Regardless of what good is to come from Rama’s exile, I definitely do not agree with Bharadwaja’s statement that Kaikeyi has done no wrong. She banished somebody who treated her like his mother, consequently killing her husband in the process. She did all of this with no knowledge about what might happen to Rama in the next 14 years.

·       I thought that the sandals being able to identify injustice was an interesting addition. In a way, they brought a piece of Rama’s character to the thrown because he would never make an unjust decision.

Dandaka Forest:

·       I liked the story about Agastya. I do not remember reading about him in the previous version. I also liked how he alludes to the tale of the golden deer while asking Rama to stay with him. I wonder if this story will appear in this version of The Ramayana.

·       It’s really nice to have additional stories with new characters, but sometimes they don’t seem to make any contribution to the overall story.

·       I liked that Lakshmana was not so brutal when he attack Surpanakha. He was also polite when he first spoke to her, but chose to attack her as punishment for going after Sita.