Week 6 Lab: EmpoWord

This week I decided to go with the story lab, and find an art in the EmpoWord. I was advised to read Chapter 2: Telling a Story. This was an interesting read and very knowledgeable and detailing. Here are several bullet points that made a key impact in my reading experience that is worth taking notes over....

Chapter Two: Telling a Story Notes:

• Initial introduction of narration is given, as it serves as a stem to the story and leads to engage audience. 
• Part one shows the description, narration and reflection side of the story. 
• The dynamic of characters play out a role in a great story. 
• The ability to have different level of role in character in order to have the spectrum of dynamic, flat, round or static characters. 
• Any story has a mood or emotion that usually follows a plot line. (think of this when writing)
• It is also important stay in the same point of view or tense (past, present, future). 
• Plot obviously is an important part of any story, which is why different techniques are key. 
• Three elements to consider are scope, sequence and pacing. 
• Scope refers to the "boundaries of your plot", while sequence and pacing is all about the timing of the plot and when and where something takes place. 
• You have to make a good flow and balance in your story. 
• Chapter two also touches on a strong introduction starting with action or drama. Media res refers to this as an antagonistic, imagistic, and exciting scenes. 
• Always thinks of ways to build your character along with your plot.
• Much like sequencing and spacing your plot, you need to know when not to escalate as well. This is important especially when approaching the end of your story. 
• Explore different techniques of story telling and observe the impact on the audience. 

Types of Characters

This picture above shows visual representations of the different types of characters you can build in your story from static, flat, dynamic and round. 

Reading Notes, Mahabharata Part B

 Part B of this reading was an interesting plot twist and showed great dramatic tension between characters. I chose to write notes over "The Gambling Match" as it caught  my attention. The plot thickens with the Pandavas brothers and the conflict with Duryodhana. He os overwhelmed by the power of the brothers and the conflict. Later the gambling games is introduced as Shakuni shows a bright future in the game with loaded dice. The gambling match was held at the pavilion after much debate. Many gathered to watch the match. The match rules were set by Yudhishthira. Duryodhana works greatly with the stakes while his partner Shakuni throws the dice. This did not settle nicely with Yudhishthira due to it not being a normal playing style. Yudhishthira's greedy playing style forced him to gamble away a lot of his belongings. He lost many vial playing cards such as his slaves and even kingdom. He set himself up for utter failure. This is a never ending cycle, as Shakuni was once a slave to the trade game. The story ends with Draupadi taking a win by Duryodhana. The winning included many slaves, which was ordered to come and sweep the chambers with others. Vidura was not happy with this idea and says that the Draupadi was not to be his slave due to Yudhi. Final ending showed the Duryodhana was cursed and the birth of a royal slave occured. 

Shakuni

Bibliography:  Mahabharata Online: Public Domain Edition

Reading Notes: Mahabharata, Part A

This was most definitely an interesting read as many new characters and setting take place in the plot. You are introduced to many characters such as King Shantanu, Goddess Ganga, Vyasa, Devavrata, Bhishma, Pandu and many more. 

I chose to focus on the story "Pandu" as the title "The Sons of Pandu" caught my attention. In this story, it introduces the story of Pandu and his wives and sons. Pandu was known to have multiple wives and sons. The sons were supposedly the Gods creations and not Pandu's blood. The story also introduces Kunti the mother of Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, whom was seed to Dharma, Vayu and Indra. Later the two additional introduction of two more sons, Ashwins. These five became the princes known as the Pandava brothers. 

King Pandu had a difficult life ahead of him. He one day met Madri, who was a wife of Pandu. As he enjoys his time with her, he finds himself in a sunken place as the brahmin foretold his tragic death. The Pandava brothers arranged the funeral of the mighty Pandu. His soul was to reach heaven one day. At his funeral, his wives must pick which one of them has to "follow her lord to the region of the dead". Both Madri and Kunti volunteer, however with the terms of the brahmin, Madri must be sent to the realm of the dead. 

This was an interesting plot line and showed great taste of character and drama. I feel like this would make for a great story piece to rewrite and show some creativity. 

Dhritarashtra, Pandu , Vidura and theirs wife Gandhari, Kunti, Sulabha

 Bibliography: PDE Mahabharata by Arnold, Besent, Devee, Dutt, Ganguli, Kincaid, Macfie, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Seeger, and Tagore. Source. Pandu