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Topic Brainstorm: From Weapons to Brothers

For a project in this class, I have had the chance to look over a vast array of topics such as Dharma, Traveling India, or even Epic Heroes. While each one has it's own inherent interest, four in particular stand out. Those four are Weapons of the Gods, Indra, the Thunder God, Epic Heroes, and Brothers.

For the first topic of interest: Weapons of the Gods. I find this one particularly interesting because they are generally weapons that transcend the laws of physics, and they are generally a violent manifestation of the god themselves. For example, one of Zeus' weapons might be a thunderbolt. I have little knowledge of different Gods' weapons, but most of my knowledge would come from Greek mythology, such as Hephaestus' hammer. I would like to learn more about Gods' weapons in general, and I believe that reading more of these stories will help. In particular, I would enjoy reading stories about how the weapons possessed immense power, and a mortal stole them, or a weapon that a God used to teach a moral lesson.

Promising Link: List of Weapons from Wikipedia

Next, there is Indra, the Thunder God. This was the only topic that I chose that was not a broad topic. The reason I wanted to learn more about the God of Thunder is because thunder and lightening as physical objects have always fascinated me. From stories, I would like to learn how people used to explain the two phenomena, and what it meant to people, especially since thunder and lightning are considered bad omens, but rain, which typically accompanies them, is considered a good omen. I would consider retelling stories with thunder and lightning as being good omens, and I would try to make storms as a whole a better sign for the future.

Promising Link: Indra from Wikipedia

Then, there is Epic Heroes. I love reading a motivational story, and the great thing for me about heroes is that they often marry inspiring characteristics with flaws that all humans possess. From Hercules to Disney's Doug, heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and are often thought to be redeeming characters that overcome great challenges despite all of the odds. If I chose this as a project topic, I would just want to see the most classic Indian hero stories, and I would want to retell them with the hero perhaps failing, or many heroes working together towards a common goal. As per prior knowledge, I know very little about Indian heroes and very little about heroes in general; however, I do have a small knowledge of Greek heroes.

Promising Link: A list of Indian Heroes

Finally, there is Brothers. This one is most interesting to me because I am an only child, so the concept of brotherhood is something that I have only experienced in portrayed media. But media does a good job of portraying brotherhood as something that does not rely solely on bloodline relation in films such as Remember the Titans. Brotherhood has always been something that carries a positive connotation, but I am interested to know if any Indian Epics portray brothers betraying one another, or brotherhood being a vice. Either way, I am interested in reading more about the past portrayal of a brother, and I would consider retelling these stories through the lens of sports. This is because sports movies and TV shows have been the main way I've been able to see brotherhood in action.

Promising Link: A blog on Hogwarts: The Loyalty of Brothers



Thunder and lightning are often seen as destructive, accompanying the redemption of rain. Source: MaxPixel

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