Feedback Strategies: Mirror, Mirror

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I read the articles Be a Mirror and How to Give Students Specific Feedback That Actually Helps Them Learn, and I think that the approaches/considerations that the two give complement each other.

The article on mirroring makes a point to show that feedback should be based on what the individual is doing, not what they aren't doing. In practice, I think this gives the student/person a chance to refine their own natural instincts, approach, and capabilities, without attempting to change them in a way that may not be in line with how naturally think.

The mirroring article also talks about making the feedback transferable; it should be usable in a broad way, not just for that specific task. I think that's incredibly important, especially when combined with making sure that the feedback isn't too vague or general, a point made in the article about giving students helpful feedback. If the person doesn't understand what you're trying to tell them, or the point that you're trying to get across in the feedback, it won't be of much use to them.

Topic Research: Rakshasas

Shurpanakha (Wikimedia)

One story idea that I have is to focus specifically on the female rakshasas (rakshasis) from the Ramayana, specifically Tataka, Shurpanakha, and Trijata. I am thinking that I can focus on their differing opinions/attitudes to Rama and/or Sita.

Waking up Kumbhakarna (Wikimedia)

Another story idea focuses on Ravana, Vibhishana, and Kumbhakarna. I think that this might allow for a somewhat comedic approach, and tell it as a kind of sibling rivalry type story.

Ravana losing his heads (Wikimedia)

A final story approach would be to focus on the battlefield deaths of various Rakshasas. Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Prahasta each died on the field in the Ramayana. The story could be told in the form of a memorial.

Week 3 Story: Ahalya's Side

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**Begin Recording**

Detective Ellison: Ahalya, I’m Detective Jack Ellison, this is my partner Detective Samantha Miller. We’re going to be taking your statement. We understand that you are here to turn yourself in, and that you have waived your right to an attorney. Do you have any questions at this time?

Ahalya: No, no questions.

Detective Ellison: Then we will begin taking your statement. For the record, please recount the events leading up to March 30^th.

Ahalya: My father arranged a marriage for me to Gautama. He was quite a bit older than me, but I cared for him deeply, and I tried to be a good wife. Arranged marriages are common in my culture, so I was not particularly bothered by the circumstances. All that mattered was that Gautama treated me well. Life went happily on for several years, until Gautama’s twin brother, Indra, came to town. It was obvious that Indra had a thing for me, and I told Gautama that he made me uncomfortable, but he just brushed me off. On March 25^th, Gautama left earlier than usual. I thought he was going into work early, but then he came back about fifteen minutes later, with flowers. He told me that he’d decided to take the day off and spend time with me. We had begun to make love, when suddenly the bedroom door was flung open. Gautama was standing in the doorway looking enraged. Realizing that the man in bed with me was not actually my husband, I screamed and pushed him away. I felt so horribly violated that I couldn’t stop crying. My husband began yelling at me, and Indra slunk away. Gautama tied me up and locked me in a closet. He told me that I was dirty, and it was my own fault that Indra raped me. He said that my punishment was to stay locked in the darkness, completely immobile, until I had been sufficiently punished for my sins. After not having heard from me in several days, my brother Rama came to the house to find me. He untied me and took me to the hospital. I was severely dehydrated by this time. When I woke up, Rama was sitting by my bed. He told me that Gautama was ready to forgive my transgression, and that I should go home, forget everything that happened, and be a good wife. I was raped, and my own husband and brother told me to not only accept the blame, but to pretend that everything was ok, and to not be angry that after being violated, I was brutally punished unjustly! That was never going to happen! So, I made a plan. I told Gautama that I wanted to let bygones be bygones and make a dinner for everyone. We invited Indra and Rama. They didn’t notice that I ate nothing. Only when the poison began to take effect did they understand.

Detective Ellison: So, you admit that you are responsible for the deaths of your brother Rama, your husband Gautama, and your brother in law Indra.

Ahalya: Yes, I admit it. I’m proud of it. Indra raped me. Gautama blamed me for the vile crime and violation committed against me. Rama told me that I should shrug it off, forgive and forget. They deserved to die. Perhaps, if more such men suffered the same punishment, things like this would happen less.

Detective Miller: Sounds reasonable to me.

Detective Ellison: What?! Are you serious?

Detective Miller: Yep. I’m not going to be crying into my beer tonight over the deaths of a rapist and a couple of rape apologists. They deserved it. I’m friends with the DA, and she hates rapists, too. I bet we can get these charges downgraded. Maybe house arrest and some community service. That sounds reasonable to me. I’m calling her now.

**Recording Ends**

Author's Note: In the Ramayana, while traveling to Mithila City with Viswamithra, Rama's foot brushes a stone, which transforms into a woman. Viswamithra tells the woman's story to Rama. Brahma created Ahalya out of the elements of absolute beauty, and gave her to Sage Gautama as his wife. The god, Indra, lusted after Ahalya. One day Indra came to Ahalya disguised as her husband. Gautama then caught the two having relations. He punished both Indra and Ahalya. He turned Ahalya into a stone, and told her that her punishment would end when Rama, the son of Dasaratha, frees her. This occurs, and Rama advises Ahalya to return to her husband, because her punishment is over, and she should go and be a good wife. I felt that Ahalya took the events entirely too well. In retelling the story, I kept the names of the primary characters the same in order to avoid confusion about who was who, but I changed their relationships, and took out the supernatural element. I also made Ahalya angry over her treatment, which seems a much more reasonable response to me.

Bibliography: Bibliography: Ramayana by Narayan. Web Source.

Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Section B

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- Section B of the reading for the Ramayana begins with Rama's exile. There are multiple set pieces and events during this section of the story, but none that really stand alone.
- Sita and Lakshmana, Rama's wife and brother, choose to accompany him into his exile. The story follows them in their leaving of the city and into a distant forest where Lakshmana builds them all a hut to live in.
- Back in Adyodhya, Rama's other brother, Bharatha, has returned after receiving an urgent message. Upon being told what happened to his father, brother, and that he is to be king, Bharatha is angry at the turn of events. He refuses the crown, and wants Rama to return.
- A focal point of a new story could center around the brotherly loyalty displayed by both Lakshmana and Bharatha. Both love and admire Rama, and both are willing to sacrifice for him. Lakshmana by voluntarily joining Rama in exile, and Bharatha by at first refusing to become king, then by promising to only serve as regent until Rama's return.



Bibliography: Ramayana by Narayan. Web Source.

Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Section A

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- The story within the first section of the Ramayana that caught my attention was the story of Ahalya.
- Sage Gautama tells her story to Rama after a brush of Rama's foot against a stone transforms that stone back into the woman, Ahalya.
- The unfairness of the events that surround Ahalya's transformation into the stone, and the ridiculousness of her being forced to accept blame for Indra's deception stood out to me from the tale.
- Ahalya was raped by the use of deception, was turned into a stone as punishment, and was then was told to return to her husband (the very man who had punished her for her own rape rather than comfort her), be a good wife, and let bygones be bygones.
- Ahalya should not have responded to the events that occurred with meekness and acceptance. Anger is the only healthy reaction to such unreasonable and unjust treatment. This tale, and the actions that occurred within it, make more sense as a revenge story.



Bibliography: Ramayana by Narayan. Web Source.