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Savitri

Savitri. Retold by J.F. Bierlein. Theme. The main idea or central message in a literary work Some stories have more than one theme If there is more than one theme, most often they are interrelated or consistent with one another. Savitri’s Theme. Infer theme

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Savitri

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  1. Savitri Retold by J.F. Bierlein

  2. Theme • The main idea or central message in a literary work • Some stories have more than one theme • If there is more than one theme, most often they are interrelated or consistent with one another

  3. Savitri’s Theme • Infer theme • Look at how the author resolves the plot • Characters respond to conflict in a certain way • Their actions have consequences • What happens as a result of their actions are clues to theme

  4. Savitri • Main character • A human woman and princess • Great wisdom and virtue

  5. Yama • The lord of the dead • The first human who died • Rules kingdom of light below earth -This is a place of rejoicing for those who have achieved salvation by living a good life • No living person is allowed to pass the gates of Yama’s realm

  6. Hinduism • Teaches that people achieve salvation in stages • At each stage, a person becomes less concerned with the material world • More aware of spiritual matters

  7. Paths to Salvation • Devotion- daily worship of a personal god and sacrifice • Knowledge- practice study and meditation • Duty- do what is right without regard to personal gain

  8. After Reading • Discussion Questions

  9. What things are really an “illusion” to Savitri? • Luxury

  10. Instead Savitri admires… • Philosophical ideas, spiritual things, knowledge, love, helping the poor • What does this say about what the Vedic culture valued? • They valued the mind and spirit over material things.

  11. Why did Savitri decide to marry the blind king’s son Satyavant who lost his kingdom to an usurper? • Satayavant lived among the sadhus until the throne was restored-lived as a holy hermit, could rule wisely, and understand the plight (difficult situation) of the poor • Lived a life of poverty-could see past the illusions and judge people fairly

  12. What was the problem Savitri faced by marrying Satyavant? • He was ordained (decided beforehand by an authority) by the gods to die within a year of marriage

  13. Why doesn’t Savitri’s father want her to marry Satyavant? • Doesn’t want to see his daughter widowed so young • May not produce an heir

  14. How does Savitri react? • Persuades her father to give his blessing • Feels it is better to be married for love for a year than not at all

  15. Describe Savitri’s wedding. • Not luxurious • Married in the style of the holy hermits • Luxury was only an illusion (deception, trick, delusion, false impression)…of what?

  16. Does Savitri tell her husband about his foretold death? • No • Where do they live? • On the edge of the deepest, darkest forest in the world

  17. How does Satyavant die? • In the woods, the animals sense his death • He dies of a stroke while cutting down a tree

  18. What does Yama look like? How does he get Satyavant’s soul? • Dark blue skin • Red eyes • Often thought of as Heartless and cruel, but can be compassionate • The Lord of the Dead • Takes the souls of the sick to free them of misery • Took his cord and ripped out his soul from his body

  19. Describe how the culture views death. • the gods decide when it is time to die • It’s out of human control

  20. How does Yama react at first to Savitri’s love for husband and courage? • Offers her one wish to restore the kingdom of Satyavant’s kingdom. • Does she turn back? • No

  21. How does Savitri find the loop hole in entering Yama’s gates? • No man has ever entered • She declares she is not a man but a woman

  22. What happens to Satyavant? • Yama restores his life • Yama restores his father’s kingdom-king’s eyesight restored • Satyavant thinks he had a dream that Yama took his soul away and Savitri’s love saved him

  23. How did the royals, Satyavant and Savitri raise their family? • In poverty, humility, honesty and wisdom • Simple life • Later when Satyavant’s father died, they ruled with equity (fairness)

  24. What happened when Savitri and Satyavant died? • Yama greeted them as old friends • There for a visit • They would go to the highest heaven • They had over one hundred descendants

  25. Themes • Many interrelated themes • Can be inferred by Savitri’s actions and consequences: • Marry for love and rewarded with happiness • An unselfish choice (wish) brings happiness

  26. Themes • Can be determined by the lessons that the characters learn: • Love is stronger than death • Those who follow the three paths to salvation without personal gain are rewarded • The more righteous the behavior, the greater the reward

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