Topic Brainstorm: Making Connections

Topic Brainstorm: Making Connections

(Image courtesy of Clipart Email.)

I used the above graphic to help me brainstorm on four topics that I could look at while deciding on the focus of my final project.  The overall theme I want to explore this semester is Making Connections.  By text, I mean Indian Mythology as a whole.  Each question requires mining to match stories to the topic I chose to answer the question. 

Topic 1: Text to World-Dharma

 How does the text connect to the world at large?  The concept of Dharma and the Hindu ideal of Rta, or universal order, gives insight to this question.

Topic 2: Text to Text- Epic Heroes

How does one text connect to another?  This can be evaluated in two ways. 1.  How does the text connect to the mythology of other cultures?  2.  How do multiple texts starring the same antagonist or protagonist connect with each other to create a deeper understanding of a particular figure?

 

Topic 3: Text to Self: Kharma

How does the text connect to the individual?  Karma evaluates individual actions and intentions and illustrates how consequences stem from those actions in both short term and future results.

Topic 4: Text to Culture: Festivals and Holidays

How does the text affect the culture that reads it?  What religious practices, holidays, or festivals are directly influenced by the text?

Currently Reading:

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Ship of the Dead

by Rick Riordan