Second Quarter Project
Complete one of the following projects below. Your project is due no
later than Tuesday January 16, 2007
Project #1 The Ramayana
In Chapter 15, you read about the basic beliefs of Hinduism. Hindu beliefs, such
as dharma (duty), are often taught to young children through literature.
One of the most famous sacred texts deity about dharma is the Ramayana. It is
the story of the Vishnu, who has come to Earth in the form of Prince Rama. As Rama,
Vishnu must destroy the evil demon Ravana. Rama does not know that he is a form of
the deity Vishnu, but he does know that he must follow his dharma. He must be a good
son, a good husband, and a good ruler. Because Rama follows his dharma, he defeats
the evil demon Ravana in the end.
Below is an excerpt from a dramatic version of the Ramayana. Rama’s father,
King Dasharata, has decided that it is time for Rama to become king. Unfortunately, one
of the queens has a different idea in mind for Rama. As you read, think about why Rama
agrees to the queen’s wishes.
Narrator: Rama’s early years were spent learning the skills he would need to
conquer the evil demon, Ravana. He studied the holy scriptures and learned to use
magical weapons. When he was a young man, he married a beautiful princess named
Sita. Rama’s father was so pleased with his son that he decided it was time for the
young man to take over the throne.
King Dasharata: I do not want Rama to wait until I die to become king. He is
ready to rule now. I shall make immediate arrangements for his crowning ceremony.
Narrator: King Dasharata called his ministers together and announced that his
eldest son would become king immediately. The king then informed his wives of his
decision. But Queen Kaikeyi, King Dasharata’s favorite wife, had already been told of the
king’s intention by her maid. The maid, who was a vicious woman, suggested that Rama
would drive the queen and her son, Bharata, from the palace when he became king.
Queen Kaikeyi was frightened and jealous. She asked to see the king.
King Dasharata: You asked to see me? Have you heard the wonderful news?
Rama is to become king at once. He will make a fine ruler. But what is the matter? It
appears as if you have been crying.
Queen Kaikeyi: (upset) My husband, remember many years ago when you were
wounded in battle? You were dying, and I helped you to escape. I then took care of you
until you were well. At that time, you promised me that you would grant me two wishes.
Now I want you to fulfill that promise.
King Dasharata: Of course. A king must always keep his word. What is it you
want?
Queen Kaikeyi: First, I want you to make my son, Bharata, king instead of Rama.
For my second wish, I want you to send Rama to the forest for 14 years.
Narrator: The king was stunned. He could not understand why Queen Kaikeyi,
who had always loved Rama, would ask such a thing. He argued with her.
King Dasharata: If I grant what you ask, I will never see Rama again. What
terrible past deed has Rama or I done for this to have occurred?
Narrator: When the queen refused to reconsider, the grief-stricken king asked
Rama and other members of the family to come to the throne room.
King Dasharata: (sadly) My dear son, Rama, I have something terrible to tell you.
I must send you…. I cannot speak. Kaikeyi, you must explain.
Queen Kaikeyi: (angrily) The king has changed his mind. He will appoint my son,
Bharata, to be the king. You will be sent into the forest for 14 years.
Rama: (confused) I don’t understand. How did I offend my father?
Second Quarter Project
Complete one of the following projects below. Your project is due no
later than Tuesday January 16, 2007
Queen Kaikeyi: Your father is honoring an old promise. A good king realizes it is
his duty to keep his word no matter how painful. It would be best if you left at once.
Rama: Of course, I will do as my father orders. Sita, my beloved wife, I shall miss
you terribly, but we will be together again someday.
Sita: (begging) Rama, please let me come with you into the forest.
Rama: But life is terrible in the forest. It is full of dangers. You would have to
sleep on the forest floor and eat only fruits and plant roots.
Sita: I don’t care. Life is nothing without you.
Rama: If you are so determined, you may come. Lakshmana, my brother, I shall
miss you, but 14 years will pass quickly. Bharata is a good man. He will rule well.
Lakshmana: My brother, allow me to come too. I will protect you and Sita.
Rama: I welcome your company, Lakshmana. And now it is time for me to say
good-bye to you, dear mother.
Queen Kausalya: (upset) I cannot bear to see you go while I remain here.
Rama: It is the son’s duty to obey his father. I can do nothing else.
Queen Kausalya: Then let me also come with you. To be separated from one’s
child is a terrible fate.
Rama: Father needs you. He will die if you leave. Your place is here.
Queen Kausalya: Yes, that is true. It is right that I remain here.
Narrator: And so Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita left the palace and began their 14
years of exile.
Imagine that Rama had an opportunity to seek some advice before the end of the scene.
Construct an advice column that counsels Rama on his father’s request that he leave the
kingdom. Your advice column will consist of two letters.
The first letter should be from Rama to Clio, the ancient Greek muse of history. This
letter must
• be in a letter format with a proper salutation and closing.
• include a summary of Rama’s situation.
• pose a specific question from Rama about his situation.
• use correct grammar and spelling.
The second letter should be from Clio to Rama. This letter must
• be in a letter format with a proper salutation and closing.
• include helpful advice on what you think he should do about his situation. Keep in mind
the idea of dharma that is important to the Ramayana.
• include an example of where you had to follow your duty or do the right thing even
though it may have been difficult for you.
• use correct grammar and spelling.
History Alive! The Ancient World, Investigating Literature
Second Quarter Project
Complete one of the following projects below. Your project is due no
later than Tuesday January 16, 2007
Project #2 The Power of Friendship: The Lives of Naomi and Ruth
Through the stories of Abraham, Moses, and David and Solomon in Chapter 11,
you learned how Judaism developed. The narrative of Naomi and Ruth is another
important account in the development of Judaism. Their story has long been enjoyed as
an example of love and loyalty. Many people learn from Ruth's inspiring devotion and
friendship for her mother-in-law, Naomi.
Jews today honor Ruth by reading her story during the celebration of Shavout.
This holiday remembers the harvest time in Jewish history. Below is a biography of Ruth
and Naomi. As you read, think about the contributions they made to the development of
Judaism.
Naomi lived with her husband and two sons in Bethlehem. It was a troubled time
for the Hebrew people. After returning to Canaan from enslavement in Egypt, the 12
tribes of Israel were fighting. Finally, a famine forced Naomi's family to move away from
their home. In Naomi's new home, her two sons married. One married Ruth, and the
other married Orpah. Tragedy then hit Naomi's family again: her husband and both her
sons died. It was then that Naomi decided to return to her people in her homeland. She
said goodbye to Ruth and Orpah, but Ruth wanted to go with her mother-in-law. "Where
you go," Ruth insisted, "I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be
my people, and your God my God." (Ruth 1:16) Together, Ruth and Naomi made the
120-mile journey back to Bethlehem.
Ruth's decision was impressive. The two women were poor, and Ruth had to
work hard to support her aging friend. Ruth was not a Hebrew like Naomi; she was a
foreigner. Even though there was still fighting among the 12 tribes of Israel, Ruth was
devoted to Naomi and her way of life. She was willing to put her personal commitment to
her friend over any problems she might face as a foreigner in an unstable land. She put
faith not just in Naomi, but also in the Hebrew people. She was willing to take great risks
to stay with her friend and adopt her religion. Ruth's story showed the Hebrew people
that it was possible to take divided tribes and turn them into a single and united nation of
Israel. It is simple kindness and faith that unites people and gives them strength.
Upon returning to Naomi's homeland, the two women found that the famine had
ended. They returned just in time for the barley harvest. Ruth married again, this time to
a man Boaz. Together they had Obed. Obed was the grandfather of King David. King
David created the kingdom of Israel and made Jerusalem its capital city. All of this was
possible because one friend had believed in and committed herself to another.
The story of Naomi and Ruth is often told to young children. Create a children's book
cover that includes
• a front cover with an imaginative title and an eye-catching illustration that relates to the
theme of the story.
• a back cover with three comments from historians about the significance of the story
for Judaism. Each comment should be two or three sentences long. An example might
begin, "What a wonderful story in the history of Judaism! Readers will see the
significance of Ruth and Naomi's relationship by learning.."
• correct grammar and spelling.
History Alive! The Ancient World, Investigating Biographies
Second Quarter Project
Complete one of the following projects below. Your project is due no
later than Tuesday January 16, 2007
Project #3 Lessons for Women
In Chapter 21, you read that Confucius taught that peace and order depended upon
proper behavior. He defined five basic relationships: ruler and subject, husband and wife, father
and son, older sibling and younger sibling, and friend and friend. Those with authority, such as
rulers, husbands, fathers, and older siblings, should lead by example. Those below people with
authority must respect and obey. Confucian philosophy eventually had a significant impact on life
during the Han dynasty.
Under this way of life, women were subordinate to men. Girls served their fathers, and
wives served their husbands. Even mothers had to respect and obey their adult sons. Marriage
and motherhood were valued in Chinese society, and the Han dynasty gave women some rights.
They could inherit property and remarry after a husband's death. Even so, opportunities outside
of these, such as education, were limited.
Below is an excerpt from Lessons for Women by Pan Chao. As the daughter of scholarly
parents, she became educated and held a teaching position with a Han empress. Her writings
became a handbook for women's behavior across China. As you read, think about this question:
According to Pan Chao, what is the role of women in a Confucian society?
Let a woman retire [go] late to bed, but rise early to duties; let her nor dread tasks by day
or by night. Let her not refuse to perform domestic [household] duties whether easy or difficult.
That which must be done, let her finish completely, tidily, and systematically. When a woman
follows such rules as these, then she may be said to be industrious.
Let a woman be correct in manner and upright in character in order to serve her
husband.. Let her love not gossip and silly laughter. Let her cleanse and purify and arrange in
order the wine and the food for the offerings to the ancestors.
No woman who observes these. fundamentals [basic ideas] of life has ever had a bad
reputation or has fallen into disgrace. If a woman fails to observe them, how can her name be
honored; how can she but bring disgrace upon herself?
Now examine the gentlemen of the present age. They only know their wives must be
controlled, and that the husband's rules of conduct manifesting [showing] his authority must be
established. They therefore teach their boys to read books and study histories. But they do not.
understand that husbands and masters must also be served [by women], and that the proper
relationship. should be maintained. Yet only to teach men and not to teach women-is that not
ignoring the essential relation between them?. Why should it not be that girls' education as well
as boys' be according to this principle?
Confucius believed that people should show good conduct and moral judgment. During
the Han dynasty, potential government officials were given a long and challenging exam
to prove their knowledge of Confucian ideas. Though this exam was open only to men,
women were also expected to understand these ideas.
Using Pan Chao's Lesson for Women, design a quiz for women focusing ontheir
expected role in a Confucian society. Your quiz should include
1. a title.
2. at least four multiple-choice questions (for example, When does a woman go to bed?).
3. at least three answer options for each question (for example, a. late, b. when she
wants to, c. early).
4. a separate answer key with correct answers.
5. correct grammar and spelling.
History Alive! The Ancient World, Investigating Primary Sources