Hello readers this blog is a task of the activity assigned by our professor Dr.Dilip Barad sir. This blog is based on the comparative analysis of the narrative frames of the three movies i.e Life of Pi, Slumdog Millionaire and Maharaja.
For the more background you can refer Teachers blog . So let's dive into the narrative frames of thise movies.
Before talking about the narrative frames let's just know what is narrative frame?
'Frame narrative' is a form of storytelling that has never gone out of fashion. The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms describes frame narrative as 'a story in which another story is enclosed or embedded as a 'tale within the tale', or which contains several such tales.'
Life of Pi
Life of Pi was released in 2012, movie by Ang Lee. The film uses a frame narrative where a present-day writer interviews the protagonist, Pi Patel, who recounts his past adventures. This layered storytelling blurs the lines between reality and fiction. The outer story of the film is set in the present, with Pi narrating his past, creating a layered structure. The primary narrative is a flashback of Pi's journey at sea after a sinking of ship.
The narrative shifts between Pi’s time on the lifeboat and his life before and after the incident talks about the non- linear narrative frame. The structure of the film emphasizes themes of storytelling and belief, with multiple perspectives on truth and reality being central.
When we look at the ending part of the film when the Pi was rescued and transferred to the hospital at that time he was asked about the incident like how he met with an accident and what happened, at that time those two insurance agencies officers wanted something realistic or believable story which they could believe.
Whereas at that time Pi just changed the names of the animals and replaced them with the names of real life characters or believable characters and created his own story so that those officers could believe him. At that moment we can see the mentality that no one is willing to accept something new like they think that those things which happened with Pi can only happen films but those were the things which were really faced by Pi in the film.
Slumdog Millionaire
The Slumdog Millionaire is a movie released in 2008, directed by Danny Boyle. The film uses a non-linear narrative to reveal the protagonist Jamal Malik’s life through flashbacks during his interrogation. Each question in the game show triggers a flashback that connects to a critical moment in his life.
The story unfolds through a fusion of real-time interrogation scenes and flashbacks, creating suspense and strengthen the audience's understanding of Jamal’s motivations and experiences. The structure combines elements of drama, romance, and thriller, with the game show format serving as a framing device for the broader narrative.
When we look at the narrative frames we also observe that how the film opens with the protagonist in the prison is tortured and the very next scene comes of the game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" Where he is playing the game and while answering each question there's a flashback technique in narration beginning from the very first flashback scene of his childhood and many more scenes when we look at the movie.
Maharaja
Maharaja is a movie directed by Nithilan Swaminathan released in 2024. Story begins with the past narration of the life of the protagonist, back in 2009 that how he used to work in the salon and was a middle calss man have a small family and had a daughter, lost his family into an accident and how he takes care of the daughter which was not even his blood though he gave all the love and care as if she was her own daughter.
Then the movie goes again into the past, a week ago where his daughter is going into the camp amd returns back during that time he is in search of a dustbin which he calls Laxmi. Later while watching the movie and coming ti the end of the movie we are able to analyse that he was not in the search for that dustbin but the victims of her daughter's condition. The whole movie is in the suspense. As the movie progresses and the audience is slowly getting to know about the storyline of the movie and main reason orr motive of the protagonist.
Comparing the narrative frames of all the movies.
Life of Pi incorporates a dual-layer structure, whereas Slumdog Millionaire and Maharaja intertwine flashbacks with real-time events to build narrative depth and suspense. Life of Pi uses its frame to explore themes of belief and storytelling, emphasizing the subjective nature of truth. Slumdog Millionaire uses flashbacks to enhance suspense and provide background to Jamal’s current situation, enriching the narrative through emotional and dramatic layers. Maharaja employs non-linear storytelling to create suspense and engage the audience, gradually revealing the protagonist’s deeper motives.
Conclusion
The comparative analysis of the narrative frames in Life of Pi, Slumdog Millionaire, and Maharaja highlights how different storytelling techniques can deeply impact the viewer's experience and thematic interpretation. Life of Pi employs a dual-layered frame narrative to challenge insights of reality and fiction. By embedding Pi's adventure within an interview framework, the film explores the nature of storytelling and belief, inviting viewers to question the truthfulness of its multiple versions of the truth.
Slumdog Millionaire uses a non-linear structure that interlaces flashbacks with real-time interrogation scenes. This method heightens suspense and enriches the audience's understanding of Jamal Malik's character, as each game show question unveils a critical piece of his past, linking his experiences to his present situation.Maharaja similarly employs non-linear storytelling, but with a focus on suspense and gradual revelation. By shifting between past and present, it maintains an air of mystery and slowly uncovers the protagonist's motives, keeping the audience engaged and intrigued.
I hope this would be helpful,
Thank you.
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