• UlyssesT [he/him]@hexbear.net
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      2 months ago

      I don’t mean the modern concept of corporatism merged with a perpetual war economy. I use the term loosely for the mythological roots of typical fascist ideology: the idea of purity, especially purity in a patriarchal sense where a woman held captive by “impure” enemy forces must painstakingly, exhaustively, and perhaps even dangerously prove her “purity” to the patriarchal power. The sheer disposability of the armies at Rama’s disposal, Rama’s own ubermensch-like portrayal, the seemingly unchallenged militaristic pagaentry and absolutism strokes of the story are also what I meant by that.

      The current right wing political powers in India invoke the Ramayana fairly regularly, and even if they don’t have the exact uniforms that were around in WW2, yeah I call that a fascist movement.

      https://theconversation.com/how-narendra-modis-cult-of-personality-was-formed-by-a-powerful-hindu-nationalist-group-with-a-dark-history-225280

      • duderium [he/him]@hexbear.net
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        2 months ago

        the idea of purity, especially purity in a patriarchal sense where a woman held captive by “impure” enemy forces must painstakingly, exhaustively, and perhaps even dangerously prove her “purity” to the patriarchal power.

        Maybe not so different from Iphigenia / Isaac.