Reading Notes: Sita Sings The Blues

Sita Sings The Blues

Sita Sings The Blues Poster
Source: Google Image

Common Themes

The version of the Ramayana I read did not include most of what this version of the Ramayana did, and honestly, if it had I would have definitely not liked as much. I still do not like the ending, but seeing it rather than reading it angers me more. As I am sure you know by now, I do not like how submissive and dependent Sita is. I fear she is a poor role model to the young girls who hear this story because she loves Rama to such a dangerous extant. Sita loses herself just for Rama. First, the theme of slut-shaming is pretty prevalent after Sita is saved because it is just so impossible to believe a woman could live with a man and not sleep with him (Side note: the narrators brought a really good point that Ravana could have easily raped her, but decided to keep her purity in tact. I'm not saying we should praise a fish for swimming, but it is still something to think about). Rama and his people don't seem to be concerned with her purity because of infidelity, but more because the thought of a woman sleeping with more than one man was unbearable, especially a queen. Obviously, this is unsettling for me because I do not want young girls looking up to Sita think that they are not sexual beings and the number of people they sleep with defines them. Rama is supposed to be the perfect human, yet he cast away his wife because he is afraid of what people think. I hope young men don't view this type of behavior and think it is acceptable. This brings me to my next point. Sita's inability to see past her love for Rama really irritates me. She first subjected herself to the ring of fire test. Even after she passed with flying colors, she was still not pure enough for Rama. After Rama discovers Sita birthed two fantastic sons, he forced her to yet another test, AND SHE OBLIGED. Had she had any ounce of self-respect, she would have laughed in his face and turned the other cheek the first time around let alone agree to a second purity test. I think the thing that annoys me the most is her continued love for Rama after he exiled her. In the movie, she allows her sons to praise their dead beat dad and even prays to him herself. If I were to re-write this, Sita would be a much stronger character. She is supposed to be the reincarnate of Lakshmi, yet she doesn't seem to possess the confidence and strength the goddess is known for. Perhaps I will write a story tomorrow about her denying Rama's request for another test or I'll have a complete gender swap and RAMA be subjected to the humiliating task. Stay tuned. 

Bibliography: Nina Paley's Sita Sings the Blues, 2008