Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark

Transcription

1 Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark { A look at plot structure, dangling causes, and motifs Griffin Kauvar 1

2 Table of Contents Slide 1: Title Slide Slide 2: Table of Contents Slide 3: Four Stages of Plot Development Slide 4-6: Three Sections of Plot Development Slide 7: Dangling Causes Slide 8-10: Dangling Cause Examples Slide 11: Motifs Slide 12-15: Patterns of Four Motifs Slide 16: Conclusion Slide 17: Works Cited 2

3 Four Stages of Plot Development Set Up: Meet characters and get a feel for who they are. The double goal structure of the movie is established. Complicating Action: When the action goes in a new direction. A new situation the protagonist must cope with is often introduced. Development: All goals are in place. Incidents that create action, suspense, and delay are presented. Climax and Epilogue: There is progress towards a resolution. Any new potential solutions are introduced. A point of high action is steadily built towards by various incidents and events. 3

4 Set Up to Complicating Action We meet Indiana Jones, one main character and protagonist. We learn that he is a college professor, but too an adventurous archeologist. We are introduced to the premise of the movie. For Indiana Jones to seek out The Ark of the Lost Covenant We are presented with the double goal structure. A past love interest of Indiana Jones. Marion. 4

5 Complicating Action to Development Indiana Jones seeks Marion out at her bar. He wants her idol that will show the exact location of the ark. They are joined by other men at her bar. These men are also seeking the ark. They, Indiana Jones, and Marion quarrel over the idol. Marion joins Indiana Jones on his quest for the ark, and together they go to Cairo. 5

6 Development to Climax and Resolution Development: Indiana Jones is in Cairo. He discovers the location of the ark with the assistance of Marion s idol. Development towards point of high action. When going to retrieve the ark from that location Indiana Jones and Marion become trapped. Indiana Jones and Marion escape and chase after the men who took the ark. Climax. The ark is finally opened and all but Indiana Jones and Marion are killed by its power. Epilogue. The ark is brought back to the states and but under strict lockdown in a mysterious warehouse. Indiana Jones and Marion rekindle their relationship. 6

7 Dangling Causes Lines, images, characters, or actions that are planted early in the film and come true or are important later in the film. A dangling cause is an unresolved issue dangling in the audience's mind as other events intervene. Generally coming from a character's mouth, it's a statement of intention, a prediction, a warning, a threat, or any other such promise that a character will do something. 7

8 Dangling Cause Examples Indiana Jones fear of snakes Early on it is learned that Indiana Jones is scared of snakes. This, at the time, appears to be nothing more then a character fun fact with little to no relevance. Later in the film Indiana Jones and Marion become trapped in a temple, and what is covering the floor? Snakes. 8

9 Dangling Cause Examples Marion is a hard drinker Early on it is learned that Marion has a high tolerance to alcohol. This, at the time, appears to be nothing more then a character fun fact with little to no relevance. Later in the film Marion must drink while in the company of one of her captors. The man believes her to be drunk so she attempts to exercise a plan to escape. 9

10 Dangling Cause Examples Man burning his hand on the idol During the bar fight a man, when trying to pick up the idol, burns his hand on the scorching metal. At the time we only interpret this as being a large misfortune for his character. Later on, however, we find out that the idol s markings burnt into this mans hand. Through his burns the Nazis were able to read the idols markings and use them to help them discover what they thought was the arks location. Because only one side of the idol burnt onto this mans hand the Nazis missed out on crucial information that would have lead them to the arks correct location before Indiana Jones was able to get there. 10

11 Motifs Lines, images, actions, colors, or musical themes that are woven throughout the film in order to produce coherent text. A recurring theme, idea, subject, shape, figure, etc. throughout. Any recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story. 11

12 The Color Motif: Red One motif throughout Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark is the recurring color of red. 12

13 Musical Motif: Indiana Jones Theme Another motif throughout Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark is Indiana Jones musical theme song. Some instances of Indiana Jones musical motif playing include: When Indiana Jones escapes into his friends plane after being chased by South Americans. When Indiana Jones is driving up to his house to pack for his quest to search for the ark. When Indiana Jones is flying from Nepal to Iraq to Cairo. When Indiana Jones knocks over and rides down the temple statue when Marion and he are trapped. Plus other instances. 13

14 Musical Motif: Marion s Theme Also included as another motif throughout Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark is Marion s musical theme song. Some instances of Indiana Jones musical motif playing include: When Marion is looking at and fiddling with the idol while sitting in her bar. When Indiana Jones is sitting in town with the Capuchin monkey thinking about Marion after he believes she has been killed in a large explosion. When Marion and Indiana Jones hug after survive the opening of the ark. When Marion is nursing Indiana Jones wounds. Plus other instances. 14

15 Musical Motif: Ark s Theme Another alternative motif throughout Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark is the Ark s musical theme song. Some instances of Indiana Jones musical motif playing include: When Indiana Jones and other men are in the classroom discussing the history of the ark. When Indiana Jones is discussing going after the ark with Marcus while in his house packing for this adventure. When Indiana Jones is repelling into the temple map room to try and determine the location of the ark. When the location of the ark is shown by the idol when Indiana Jones is in the temple map room. Plus other instances. 15

16 Conclusion Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark tells a gripping adventure story of struggle and triumph. This film accurately follows the four stages of film to portray a consistent, complex, and entertaining story. In including various dangling causes and motifs, various aspects of the plot are linked together in a creative, intricate, and understandable way. Together all script and film elements are effectively applied to present a fascinating story about a great archeological explorer. 16

17 Works Cited Spielberg, Steven, dir. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Writ. Lawrence Kasdan, George Lucas, and Philip Kaufman Film. 17