The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic

At several points in The Ramayana, Narayan breaks the fourth wall by addressing the audience. Select one of these incidents and analyze what its impact on the audience might be.

Rama’s goodness and virtue are reflected in the many decisions he makes to lead a spiritually noble life. Do his decisions reveal a belief in predestination or in free will? Support your response with evidence from the text.

Rama laments Ravana’s potential for greatness when he kills Ravana in battle. Identify and discuss three traits in Ravana that could serve the world in a positive way if he had not chosen a life of evil.