Literary Druid
A Peer-Reviewed International Journal of English Language and Literature
Volume- 6, Issue- 2, April-2024
1. Analysis of Myth-Making in the Initial Stage of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief
Anis Fatima, S. Assistant Professor of English, M.S.S Wakf Board College, K.K. Nagar, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
Abstract
Joseph Campbell stated that myths are collective aspirations, while dreams are individual aspirations. The novel “Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan explores the heroic adventure of Percy Jackson through the lens of Joseph Campbell's concept of the Monomyth. The Monomyth consists of three main sections: Departure, Initiation, and Return. Rick Riordan's “Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief” are ancient myths woven into modern graphic novels. The art of myth-making is skillfully employed by the writer and introduces the readers to a world where ancient Greek mythology and mythical characters intersect with contemporary life. Percy Jackson is seen as an innocent teenager who learns the truth that he is the son of Poseidon, which sets the stage for a blend of mythological elements in modern settings. The introduction of Camp Half-Blood in the novel is a training ground for demigods and the protagonist encounters figures like the Minotaur and Chiron. The story is very close to the classical myths and maintains a fresh and engaging approach to delivering archetypal instincts. The seamless integration of ancient tales into a present-day adventure captivates every reader and lays a clear foundation for the series. It may also be helpful to the modern dilemma where many youngsters struggle and there will be a way to find here from this archetypal character. The researcher employs a descriptive qualitative approach to evaluate the hero's quest in the novel. Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief. The conclusion posits that this particular voyage is a symbolic representation of individuals' life journeys in everyday existence.
Kerwords: Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief, Myths, Monomyth, Hero’s Journey.
2. Significance of Dharma in Devdutt Pattanaik’s The Book of Ram
R. Prathisha, Ph.D Research Scholar, Department of English, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India.
Dr. S. Ayyappa Raja, Associate Professor of English, Department of English, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract
Mythology consists of myths relating to sacred stories of a particular culture. These stories deal with a wide range of topics such as morality, the origin of humanity, cultural values, traditions, the purpose of life and so on. They also recount the tales of Gods and other supernatural beings. Indian mythology is a vast collection of tales that revolve around celestial and human beings. These are documented in Hindu scriptures like the Vedic literature and the Puranas. Ramayana and Mahabharata are the two ancient and well-known epics of India. These epics are not mere ancient tales of kingship and warfare, but also an effective medium used to emphasize the value of upholding dharma. Indian mythology has become the prime component among many contemporary Indian writers who have used widely mythological characters and incidents in their works. Devdutt Pattanaik is an Indian mythologist, speaker, illustrator, columnist and author of more than fifty books. Some of his important works are My Gita, Jaya, Sita, Shyam, The Book of Ram and Yama and his Book of Accounts. His works deal with the areas of religion, mythology and management. The present study aims at an analysis of “The Book of Ram” of Devdutt Pattanaik to highlight the significance of upholding dharma in one’s life. It depicts how Ram has lived his life on a righteous path even in difficult circumstances. Ram is the symbol of morality and dharma and is thus known as “Maryada Purushottama.” Throughout his life, he consistently follows dharma in all the roles he has assumed whether it is being a son, a husband, a brother, an enemy, and a King. The author provides a novel perspective about Ramayana by narrating the life of Ram as a person who has lived for others.
Keywords: Devdutt Pattanaik, The Book of Ram, Puranas, Ramayana, Ram, Dharma.
3. A Critical Discourse of Myths and Mythological Characters in Tamil Literature
K. Priyadharshini, Ph.D. Research Scholar (Full-Time), Department of English, College of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai.
Dr. K. Shantichitra, Professor, Head of the Department, Department of English, College of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai.
Abstract
The paper intends to study the use of Myth in Tamil literature. Myths are bygone narratives about the gods and goddesses or individuals of exemplary characters and deeds. The earliest available literary works of all the three Tamil Sangams are referred to as “Sangam literature”. The Sangam age is between 300 BC and 300 AD. Among the literary works of the first and middle sangams, “Tolkappiyam” is the only literary work now available, as the other works were lost in submersion. It is an old Tamil grammar test, in which the names of gods viz. Vishnu, Skanda, Indra, Varuna and goddess Kotravai are mentioned. It serves as a handy reference for the use of mythological stories in Tamil literature. The past Sangam literature mainly consists of the great five epics among other works. The first among the five epics “Silapathikaram" with its central character Kannagi, seems to be based on a historical story. As a deviation from other works, Kannagi, a woman of chastity, is elevated to the status of goddess. After the Sangam and post-Sangam period, "Tirumurai" a compilation of hymns in praise of Lord Shiva by 63 Nayanmars and “Nalayira Divya Prabandam" a compilation of hymns in praise of Lord Vishnu by twelve Alvars also indicate the usage of mythology is Tamil literature..
Keywords: Tamil Literature, Myths, Characters, God, Goddess.
4. A Study on Authentic Classroom Interaction Patterns
Mrs. P. Suneetha Naidu, Assistant Professor of English, Department of Humanities & Sciences, Annamacharya Institute of Technology & Sciences, Rajampet, Annamayya District, Andhra Pradesh.
Dr. M. Praveena, Assistant Professor of English, Department of Humanities & Sciences, Annamacharya Institute of Technology & Sciences, Rajampet, Annamayya District, Andhra Pradesh.
Abstract
The present-day education sector has been so challenging for the teachers. As communication and technology rise to their heights, teachers are required to upgrade their teaching standards and teaching practices in the classroom. In this respect, teachers need to learn the latest teaching patterns and keep their efforts to create an effective classroom. At this juncture, various changes have taken place in the modern classrooms. As part of this, several patterns for classroom interaction are introduced. Interaction is highly required in classroom activities. It helps the teaching and learning procedure to run smoothly and can raise interest among the learners. Maintaining interaction with the whole class is needed for a teacher to create a learner-centric environment that raises interest among students towards the subject, and active participation during class time. This refers to the conversation between the teachers and students, as well as among the students themselves, in which active participation and learning of the socio-cultural activities is possible. Through this students develop their knowledge and focus on the learning patterns collaboratively. The present paper deals with various patterns and implementation in an interactive classroom concerning my personal experience during the course period of my Bachelor of Education.
Keywords: Interactive Classroom, Learner-centric Environment, Patterns.
5. Where is De-human?
Reconfiguring ‘human-ness’ in Animal’s People
Sowmya Vaidyanathan, Environmental Activist, Masters Student, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, United States.
Abstract
Written in the wake of what Lawrence Buell refers to as ’toxic discourse’, Indira Sinha’s Animal’s People deals with the anxiety of living in a poisoned world. The inhabitants of Khaufpur— the disaster zone in the novel— or the victims of the apocalypse have been irreversibly altered to varying degrees to the point of losing their individual ‘human’ identity. I argue that this loss of humanness operates on two different levels. The first is through the slip into a largely unclassifiable ‘nonhuman-ness’, as seen in individual characters in both novels. The second is seen through the creation of ecological ‘collectives’ that bind humans and non-humans— communities that Sinha refers to as ‘people of the Apokalis’. With this in mind, this paper questions what makes the inhabitants of Khaufpurnon-human, and posits that while the slip into the nonhuman is constantly in flux as a result of the apocalypse and its aftermath, the status of the ‘people’ in the zone is a more stable category because of the way it defines itself based on these entanglements, rather than the ‘species’ identity of its constituents.
Keywords: Anthropocene, De-human, Reconfiguration, Human-ness, Indra Sinha, Animal’s People.
6. In the Memory of Hind Rajab (Poem)
Aishi Saha
Abstract
The ongoing genocide in Gaza by the apartheid state of Israel has been continuing for more than six months now. It has taken countless innocent Palestinian lives including a large number of children and women. This poem is based on the state sanctioned murder of a six year old girl called Hind Rajab who was shot to death by the Israeli armed forces while she was trapped inside a car. It dramatises on the incident and retells it from the perspective of someone close to Hind.
Keywords: Memory, Hind Rajab, Martyr, Apartheid State, Israel, Liberty, Palestine.