Well I had this book i had to read for my English class, so I started and got to page 100 or so and got bored of it, its a horrible book. Even so I still have to write about it and have some visual crap too. Its due tomorrow lol and I didn't finish so if anyone knows a web that can give me an overview and all the other good stuff I would appreciate it.

Before you start flaming and telling me to "Google it" take in consideration that I already have done so, its not a popular book apparently, and no where to be found. There are a few sites but you have to pay for them like bookrags.com. The book is called The Iron Ring... any help would be appreciated. I don't want to see pointless spam either, help in some way or don't bother posting at all.

:p

Is it by Lloyd Alexander? Chinese cultural myths and stuff? If so, I've read that and might be able to help you. :)

I liked that book, but I'm an avid reader, and large pagecounts don't bother me.

Yeah its by Lloyd Alexander and its myths but in India I believe. If you could please just let me know what happens, what is up with the ring was it a dream or what I just need the ending mostly lol.

www.google.ca

www.wikipedia.com

Best options.

ok, give me a day, then I'll post a synopsis and analysis.

It's been years since I read that book.

K, thank you very much lol. I already turned in the visual part of my project and I'll give the written part on Tuesday

Sorry I'm late with this, but I'd forgotten that the libraries in Canada close on Thanksgiving. So I only had time to read short parts of the book to refresh my memory. I think I got all of the critical points. Unless if you're writing an essay for high school or university (unlikely as this is a young young adult book lol) I don't think you'll have any problems. :)

The most important thing in this book is the theme of class and what that implies for a person in Indian society.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kshatriya

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_caste_system

Tamar, the main character, believes strongly in the caste system (he himself is of the second highest class, the kshatriya (see above article)). because of his belief in honour being the most important thing of all, he allows himself to be drawn into a game with the king Jaya. He loses his life to the king, and as a symbol of his defeat he is given the Iron Ring and told to come to the far away kingdom of Mahapura. Then tamar faints, and when he awakens no one else knows of the king, but the ring is still on Tamar's finger. Tamar and his adviser leave...

*adventures I don't remember so well ensue.*

I found a plot summary, that while it leaves out important details, and doesn't explain themes or anything, does give you a basic idea of what is going on, and gives you a lot of names of characters and places.
http://www.gregorysworld.com/The%20Iron%20Ring.htm

I'll just cover the really important things:

The first important event is the Fire flower being recieved. that's covered in the summary and I don't remember it well unfortunately.

Anyway, the important things: that Tamar falls in love with a woman of a lower caste (Mirri), and she with him. Tamar can't express his love for her or anything, because the caste system forbids such things.

Tamar gets involved in a civil war taking place in the lands he's travelling through and closely involving a number of Tamar's friends he's met along the road. He is troubled by the complete lack of honour shown by the usurper Nahusha (a kshatriya) and his warriors.

While at the hermitage of the bear hermit Jamba-van, Tamar and Mirri talk. Tamar realizes for the first time that his love for Mirri may be more important than his honour as a kshatriya. He throws away the ring, then reconsiders (you're going to have to read this part, I don't remember why this happens).

Tamar realizes while the battle with Nahusha and his warriors is going on, particularly when they (apparently) kill Mirri, and attack and capture Tamar and his mentor the brahman (not the term used in the book, be sure to look up what Rajaswami's caste is), how worthless the caste system is as a way of understanding and living real life. This is probably the most important part in the book.

While captured, Tamar is touched by a man of one of the lowest castes, a chandala, which according to India's system would reduce Tamar to the chandala caste himself. Tamar no longer cares by this point, as he is concerned about Mirri, and getting away.

The ending: The companions finally reach Jaya's palace, and after passing through a number of illusions, they reach Jaya himself, and realise that he has been with them all the while in a number of forms. He wanted Tamar to help resolve the war going on with Nahusha. He frees Tamar of his bond and answers some questions (again, i don't remember them so well). Tamar and Mirri are married.

Last thing, at the end, Rajaswami asks Jaya with his wish to end the caste system, and Jaya says that he cannot. That mankind are the only ones who can do this. This is important. um, instead he gets an umbrella, which is not important lol.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, I hope that at least some of that is useful.

Thx a lot XD, you should get some rep :-p.