Stephany Lunn

Film Literature Through the Eyes of Indiana Jones

Slide 1: IntroductionSlide 2: Table of ContentsSlide 3: 4 stages of developmentSlides 4-6: Transitions between sections of the

movieSlide 7: Dangling causeSlides 8-10: Examples of dangling causesSlide 11: MotifSlides 12-14: Patterns of motifsSlide 15: ConclusionSlide 16: Work Cited

Table of Contents

Set-up: This occurs at the beginning of the film when the main characters, the goal, and the conflict are being introduced.

Complicating action: It is a series of events that start developing the plot line.

Development of climax: In this stage, the tension starts to build, action becomes more intense, and the story approaches the climax.

Resolution: This stage occurs after the climax. The conflict is resolved and the end of the story is near.

4 Stages of Development

By this point, both Indy and Marion are introduced as the main characters.

The goal, finding the ark, is defined. The shift to complicating action occurs when

Indy saves Marion, burning down the bar in the process.

Set-up to Complicating Action

The film shifts from complicating action to development when Indy discovers where the Ark is located. It begins a series of intense action scenes that lead to Indy’s finding of the Ark.

Complicating Action to Development

Indy and Marion get captured and tied together. The Nazis attempt to open the Ark, but they are overcome by its power and end up dying. Even though Indy and Marion are in the same room, they don’t die which tells us Indy achieved his goals– he found the Ark and got his girl.

Development to Climax and Resolution

Essentially, a dangling cause is foreshadowing

Hints at some event that occurs later in the movie

May be appear in conversation or in images

Dangling Cause

At the very beginning of the movie, Jones makes a firm point that he hates snakes!

Later in the movie, he is forced to deal with his fear as he and Marion get trapped in the ground with hundreds of snakes around them.

1st Dangling Cause

As Indy tries to locate Marion, she is shown in her bar drinking with a larger man. During this scene, we discover Marion is a heavy weight drinker, meaning she can drink quite a lot and still hold herself together.

Later in the film, Marion drinks with Dr. Belloq. Knowing the alcohol won’t have as much of an effect on her, Marion tries to get Dr. Belloq drunk in order to escape.

2nd Dangling Cause

In the first couple of scenes, the Nazis attempt to steal the medallion in order to locate the ark. One man ends up burning his hand.

Unfortunately, for him, only part of the information from the medallion was burned onto his hand. Therefore, the Nazis’ staff wasn’t long enough to reveal the actual location of the ark.

3rd Dangling Cause

A recurring subject, theme, idea, etc., especially in a literary, artistic, or musical work.

In this case, there are both visual and auditory themes recurring in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Visual: Color Red

Auditory:Indy’s theme songMarion’s theme songArk’s theme song

Motif

Color MotifThroughout the film, small

red objects appear. They obviously stand out because most of the colors shown are natural, earthy colors, not vibrant colors that stand out.

Examples: Marion’s clothes Carpets Monkey’s vest Scarf Rim of the lamp Nazi Flag Red lights Marion’s blanket

Indy’s theme song plays when:The car pulls up to the houseIndy saves Marion from the Nazi menIndy gets on the plane with MarionIndy saves them from the snakesIndy gets Marion off the planeThe Nazis are looking for him

Indy’s Musical Motif

Marion’s theme song plays when:She is alone with the piece Indy needsShe boards the plane with IndyIndy mourned her “death”Indy learns she’s aliveShe and Indy reuniteIndy is packing to go find Marion

Marion’s Musical Modif

Raiders perfectly displayed:4 stages of plot developmentDangling causesMotifs

Not only is it an captivating movie for a diverse audience, but it is also very educational when it comes to learning about literature and techniques used in film.

Learn about the movie, cast, and contributors! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082971/

Learn more about storytelling in film! http://

screenwriting.4filmmaking.com/storytelling.html

Conclusion

Raiders of the Lost Ark. Dir. Steven Spielberg. Perf. Harrison Ford and Karen Allen. Elstree Studios, 1981. DVD.

Work Cited