Comparison of Dunkirk and The Ramayana

Epic works have a set of traits that help in their proper identification from the other forms of narrations or films that artists develop. An analysis of Dunkirk and Ramayana indicates that they are similar because of the use of minimal number of characters and the prevalence of suffering among the characters; however, the previously mentioned works have different settings and supernatural beings.

            Dunkirk and Ramayana have very few characters who take an active role in the performance of various activities hence help pass critical information to the readers. Notably, in Ramayana, there are characters such as Rama, Sita, Dasharatha, Queen Kaikei, Lakshmana and Kaushlya who are the only characters who perform various activities in the novel to help portray the themes of love and betrayal in the community in which they live. Similarly, Dunkirk has characters such as Colonel Winant, Tommy, Farrier, Gibson and Mr. Dawson who are the primary actors in the various activities that occur in the film although there are other individuals the director does not recognize. The use of few characters in an epic film helps an author to properly focus on events that occur in the life of a major character, as evident in the cases of The Ramayana and Dunkirk which have stories majorly reflecting Rama and Tommy respectively.

            The examination of Dunkirk

and Ramayana also shows that they are similar as they involve situations where primary characters face tragedies in their quest to attain specific goals. The sufferings among characters in the epic works help portray them as heroes who undertake risky activities to help save some individuals in the society or to attain their set goals concerning the improvement of statuses of their communities. For instance, in Ramayana, Rama suffers in his quest to become a king and save his society. Also, Rama experiences various problems (especially gruesome war) in the course of rescuing Sita from Ravana’s kingdom. On the other hand, Tommy (in Dunkirk) suffered significantly in his quest to rescue the soldiers and civilians who were under the custody of the German soldiers (Dzuidzia 26:15). Tommy’s success in saving the captured-soldiers gives him a heroic stature in the movie because he had to fight and attain his ambition although his team was tired.

As previously discussed in this essay, Dunkirk and Ramayana significantly compare with one another. However, a critical analysis of the articles above indicates that they have different settings which help in a proper portrayal of vital themes that the artists intend to pass to the viewers or readers. Notably, Dunkirk

portrays events during the Second World War while Ramayana depicts the ancient Indian society. Also, The Ramayana differs from Dunkirk because the former has multiple settings while the latter has only a single setting.  Dunkirk

and The Ramayana also differ from one another because of the inclusion of romantic scenes as evident in The Ramayana where characters such as Rama and Sita have affections towards one another (Valmiki, Buck, Triest and Nooten 141). On the contrary, Dunkirk does not involve any scene that portrays romance. Finally, The Ramayana involves supernatural characters such as Ravana (ten-headed king) while Dunkirk does not involve any supernatural beings.

In conclusion, Ramayana, and Dunkirk are epic works that significantly compare with one another because of the use of few characters and prevalence of tragedies which makes the characters appear as heroes for the societies. However, an extensive examination of the articles above indicates that they differ concerning their setting, involvement of supernatural individuals and romance. The use of a minimal characters, supernatural bodies and tragedies are some of the major elements of epic works.

Works cited

Nolan, Christopher. “Operation Dunkirk.” YouTube, uploaded by Dzuidzia, 6 Nov. 2017.  

            <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB0Tl6k475o>. Accessed August 1st 2018.

Valmiki, William Buck, Shirley Triest, and Nooten B. A. Van. Ramayana. Delhi: Motilal            Banarsidass, 2006. Print