As being a reader of these tails, being inside tails, being inside more tails it can be a little hard to follow. Assuming, that us as students are smarter than the three princes, how well do you think the princes actually followed the tails? Do you think they had to stop and explain matters and actions multiple times?
Out of all of the stories told by Visnusarman which do you think is most helpful towards the princes? I for myself believe it is the outer frame tail of the lion and oxen. The interactions between the lion and all of the animals shows that he is indeed a ruler, yet not invincible, and can see when he makes mistakes. Although he still wants to be seen as "the all powerful ruler" of his jungle.
I found these frame tails to be precisely laid out and would have been wonderful, to hear as a young prince who needed a little extra tutoring.
I too was picturing the 3 princes listening to the numerous tales and wondering if they were able to learn from them. The tales are pretty applicable to many situations, so I think they are useful overall. They don't address every little problem, but they do portray general qualities that the princes can apply to many situations. However, as you have asked, they don't necessarily follow the advice. I'm not sure where the rest of the book goes with this, but my guess is that we don't find out. It seems like the tale about three princes gaining wise advice is just a platform for the stories (like the Black Plague was a platform for the Decameron). Hypothetically, the princes would need to make the decisions for themselves. If they can understand the implications of the stories and be willing to follow through, they might be good. But the likelihood of that is low. The tales teach discernment that is rather complex (and takes experience to put into practice), so it isn't likely that all three succeed.
ReplyDeleteI think the stories are actually meant to reach a bigger audience. The audience of the three princes is the platform, but these stories work for the average person too. The collections of wise sayings and stories make sense in everyday life (not just in the life of royalty). So, maybe the frametale gives normal people the thought that if three unintelligent princes could be radically wiser in six months from these stories, maybe the tales could be useful for anyone.
Alice, you said exactly what I was already thinking. Instead of re-hashing what you already said, I just thought I would jump in under your comment. I actually think this is applicable to church for me. When I go to church, I sit down (like the princes did), and take in the pastor's stories during the sermon, attempting to remember what he saying in order to apply it to my daily life. While these sermons are easy to understand, they are DIFFICULT to follow on a daily basis. That does not mean I don't try, but it is not easy. Just like the princes, I know that how I act is ultimately up to me. Of course, the less intelligent people are probably less likely to succeed, but it is hard for anyone.
DeleteWhen I read your post, I instantly thought of the New Testament. Jesus explains a lot of his teachings through parables, and I feel that the method used here comes from the same kind of thinking. With the Biblical parables, some people get it, and some people simply do not. In much the same way, for some of the princes, it is possible that the stories were entirely helpful, while for some they were entirely not. With certain people, learning through a narrative places information within a unique point of view that actually makes it easier for them to comprehend its importance or usefulness. I found "The Monkey That Pulled the Wedge" to be the most appealing story because it's kind of quirky and funny, but still delivers the exceedingly simple yet pertinent advice to allow other people's business to remain just that, rather than trying to make it your own. That never ends well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alice that the narrative of the princes is likely just a context to present a story of ethics to a wider audience. Hence, the layering of story upon story grows mightier.
Two points, James:
ReplyDelete(1) Frame TALES, not tails!
(2) Given the length of the full Panchatantra, it's hard to imagine ANY scenario that is not covered in some form or another!
(3) I agree: at least in the little excerpt we read, the tale of Pingalaka and his jackal advisors was the most serious and instructive from a Machiavellian point-of-view.
Glad you took up the Panchatantra for your post, James!
You got a couple of good comments from Alice and
Kate, too...
I also thought the same thing that the princes would only be wise in certain situations, and would probably overgeneralize the contents of the tales. However, Dr. Luthin makes a good point that as long as the Panchatantra is, everything possible situation is probably covered within its pages.
ReplyDelete