EXAMINING MOTIFS & DANGLING CAUSES

By: Sadie Gettings

Table of Contents

Slide 3: Plot explanation Slide 4-6: Transitions to sections Slide 7: Dangling cause definition Slide 8-10: Examples of dangling causes Slide 11: Explanation of motifs Slide 12-14: Examples of motifs Slide 15: Conclusion Slide 16: Works Cited

Four Stages of Plot Development

“The Set-Up” Meet characters- Get a feel for who they are. Establish double goal.

“Complicating Action” The action moves in new direction. New situation that the protagonist must cope with.

“Development” Goals are all in place. Many incidents that create action and suspense.

“Climax & Epilogue” Build steadily toward a point of high action. Will goals be achieved?

Set-Up to Complicating Action Set-Up to Complicating

Action through transition: Marion’s house is invaded

and burned down. Marion will now be Indy’s

guide. Indy owes Marion for the

value of her home.

Complicating action to Development

Complicating action to development through transition: Indy climbs on the

submarine. Arrives at mystery Nazi

island. Find’s Marion and

escapes to find ark.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/indiana_jones_and_the_raiders_of_the_lost_ark_in_imax/

Development to Climax/Resolution

Development to Climax/Resolution through transition: The ark is opened by

Nazi and Dr. Belloq. Terrible wrath of souls

kill all who see the souls.

The souls kill the Nazi with fire.

Marion and Indy survive.

What is a dangling cause?

The use of hints or clues about the future of the film. Authors plant cues.

Camera lingers on something. Close-Up’s. Random items.

Important parts should not be a shock. These create suspense.

Example of Dangling Causes While escaping on

the plane, Indy states, “I hate snakes.” This is referred back to when Marion and Indy are thrown down into the palace where the ark is kept and there are tons of poisonous snakes.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082971/

Examples of dangling causes cont.

The second example is when Marion and Indy are still in the palace where the ark is found when the statue breaks. After a few moments, Indy breaks down the statue to break a hole in the wall to free the both of them.

Examples of dangling causes cont.

The third example of a dangling cause is when Marion is playing a drinking game at the bar. This is referred to throughout the middle and end of the film, this is how she gets Indy and herself out of many harmful situations. Such as, when she drinks and Bulloq becomes drunk and she threatens him with a knife.

What is a motif?

A motif is: A repeated idea, image, or pattern. They are found throughout a film. Motifs help reveal the theme of the text.

Color motif (Visual)

The color red is found in: The red bow tie. Indy’s suitcase liner. The monkey’s vest. Marion’s pants. Marion’s robe. The bad guy in all black

with red belt. Red rugs. Red explosives in the back

of the truck. The Nazi influence.

Musical Motif- Indy’s Theme

Flying to Nepal. When Indy makes the statue fall to

escape the snake cave. When Indy swims to the submarine to

follow Marion. When Indy arrives in Cairo with truck and

Idol in Cairo.

Musical Motif- Ark’s theme

Flying to Cairo from Nepal. When Marcus is done talking to Indy. The meeting to understand why the

Nazis want Ravenwood.Where Indy propels himself down to the cave.

Where the staff explodes to reveal where the arc is.

When Indy takes out the ark in the snake cave.

Conclusion

In conclusion: Dangling Causes

“I hate snakes. Marion’s drinking. Statue breaking.

Motifs Visual Musical

Works Cited

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Dir. Steven Spielberg. Perf. Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman. Paramount, 1981. DVD.