Slumdog Millionaire - Symbolism
- Slumdog Millionaire’s setting is exotic. Did you find that made the film hard to identify with? Or did its exotic location enhance the experience?
- Jamal does not know that India´s motto is “The truth alone triumphs”. Why doesn´t he know the answer? What does this motto mean to Jamal? What does it mean to the other characters in the film, such as Salim, or Prem Kumar? The title of the film Slumdog Millionaire combines two opposites. Why do you think Danny Boyle choose this title? What does being rich mean for you?
- What was the symbolism of the scene at the public bathroom where Jamal jumps in the sewage? What does this tell us about his character? Is he likely to give up easily?
- Recurring symbols: There are quite a number of scenes in Slumdog Millionaire showing trains. The train station, too, is of great importance as it is the place where Latika and Jamal try to meet. What do you think the train and the train station symbolize? Do they mean different things in different circumstances? When Latika and Jamal finally meet at the station they do not take a train into their future as you would expect but remain at the station while the trains are leaving. Why do you think this is?
- Can you think of other objects, places, or colours in SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE that might have symbolic meaning?
posted by Dr. John @ 5:54 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Group Amazing: Corey Pintado, Annabel Fidler, Gabriella Peña, and Christian Pedroza...
1. The setting enhances the experience because the ‘away from America’ setting makes it easier to identify with the characters because while we may know how homeless in America are, we have no idea how the homeless in India live, so we come into the movie with an open mind and really relate. In addition, the places you see and the traveling the characters go through help the viewer to relate to their experiences.
2. Because everything had answers to, he had personal experiences to relate and refer back to. The fact that he never had an experience regarding the motto is why he never learned it. Jamal never did anything wrong in context to what he thought was right (ie. stealing, selling stolen goods). Jamal is a straightforward person when it comes to his honesty unlike Salim. The title is an irony, and this sets the movie up for the events that would happen throughout the movie. It also peaks interest in the movie before the viewer ever hits play. Being rich depends on the person. For some people, being rich has to literally do with having much wealth, and for others, it can be metaphorical in being rich in morals, values, love, and accomplishment.
3. This tells us that no matter the circumstance, Jamal always finds a way. He is a fighter and is persistent in all he does. He shows that, even when adversity tells him that he cannot, that he can.
4. It is the one place where they say farewell to each other and also meet up. The trains symbolize movement in life (ie. moving forward, change). When they do not take the train at the end of the movie, it is symbolic of the change they were not willing to make again. They wanted to enjoy the time that they had together. Jamal had been moving constantly for so long, it was time for a settle down.
5. When Salim bathes in money, this shows that Salim always cared about money more than he did about others. This is opposite of Jamal in that Jamal valued life and relationship more than anything.
1. It was a little hard to identify considering most of us aren't familiar with Indian customs and culture, but that mystery left a way to experience new things and stay in the moment.
2. Jamal says he doesn't know the phrase, and this shows how he was "betrayed" throughout the movie. He never knew a honest truth and was always deciphering through lies. It's a rags to riches story of how Jamal grew up in the slums, and won a million through answering questions. Being rich to us means to be satisfied with yourself and what you have.
3. He ain't neva scared, it shows he determination and will to always fight for what he wants. He will not lay down without a fight.
4. Trains show safety, shelter, and freedom to Jamal and Latika. They stay at the station in the end because they are finally together. The themes and safety, freedom, etc. all melted together to bring the two together. They were happy in that place, and that was all that mattered.
5. The bathroom is a place is reoccurance. First the sewage, next where he recieved the answer, and last where Salim sacrificed his life for Jamal and Latika. It symbolizes a sense of level game. No matter what class you are, we all use the bathroom. It is a leveling point between everyone.
Alix, Madeleine, Jacob, Anne, Melody
Group Amazing = Group 2
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