The clip summarizes a pivotal scene from the film "Slumdog Millionaire" where the main character Jamal is answering the final question on the game show to win the grand prize. As he calls his brother for help, his childhood friend Latika sees him on TV and runs to answer the phone so Jamal can get help in time. Through a flashback, viewers also learn about how Jamal first met Latika as children.

1. ASSIGNMENT 7:
NARRATIVE ANALYSIS
IN A SCENE
Abigail
Nicole
Russ

2. PART 1
Overall Narrative

3. In 5 simple bullet points, write down the story (synopsis) of the film
• We are analysing the last scene from
‘Slumdog Millionaire’.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-
moVw-R1rw
Story:
• Boy goes on the Indian version of
“Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”
to reunite with his childhood
friend.
• Gets arrested after he was accused
of cheating.
• His experiences in life helps on
answering the questions.

4. Is this a whole narrative, a section or an enigma?
Section
This is only 2 minutes and 21 seconds scene from the film
• The beginning scene is Jamal is asked his last question
• He calls his brother for help
• Latika runs to answer the phone
• His bother gets ready to kill himself
• The host sighs cause the tech people were going to end
the call
• Latika answers

5. If you are looking at a section of a narrative, what function does
this section have for the narrative? (Think about the whole)
He met a girl, Latika Latika
Jamal was whom he fell in love realises
suspected with, but lost. He Salim tell that
of cheating Jamal had a only entered the Latika to Jamal
and is difficult game show because run away, was
detained childhood, his she might be so she did calling
and mother killed in watching it, in with his car Salim so
interrogate front of him in a hoping of being keys and she runs
d raid. reunited with her. phone. to answer
it.
Jamal
answers
18 yr. old Jamal, Jamal correctly
Jamal tells, Jamal is on the
former street child answers each of
through Jamal and his his final question
from the slums, the questions.
flashbacks, the brother Salim question, he right, so he
entered the Indian Despite being
incidents in life supported calls his wins the
version of Who given the wrong
that help answers each other. brother but games
wants to be a answer by the
the questions Salim doesn’t show and
millionaire, One host.
pick up. he is also
more question to
reunited
answer till the
with Latika.
grand price

6. Does the film follow the conventional narrative (3 part)?
Explain yes or no
• No, they do not follow the conventional
narrative because it starts in real time, then
has a flashback on his life.
• Then goes back to present time and starts to
jump between present and past.

7. Does the clip fall into a conventional narrative structure?
Explain yes or no
Yes, the clip falls into a conventional narrative structure because
there is no flash backs and is clear and straight forward on what
happens to the main characters.
• Jamal is asked the final question
• Latika watches Jamal
• He calls a friend
• There is no answer
• Latika runs
• Salim washes his face
• The Phone rings, the tech people
were going to end the call
• Latika gets to the phone in time
• Jamal is shocked
• Salim smiles
• Latika introduces herself.

8. PART 2
Narrative Structure

9. Is it linear? How? Or is it non-linear? How (Does it have
flashbacks, flash-forwards, or episodically)
Start Chronological Chronological
Chronological Chronological
Scene Scene Scene continues Chronological FLASHBACK
Latika picks up Scene goes
starts at continues with Latika Jamal reminisces Thinks back to
the phone back to real
the game chronologically realising the back to when he when he first
time of Jamal
show when the phone is ringing first met Latika met Latika
at the game
presenter calls
show
the friend
NON LINEAR STRUCTURE

10. Is it being presented in segments, separated by changes in
location or time?
Location Time
The game show.
In Real time.
In real time.
Outside of
the show,
the streets.
Back in
the game
show.

11. Is it being presented in segments, separated by
changes in location or time? Continued.
Location Time
Real Time
Outside
The Real Time
bathroom,
where the
brother is.
Real Time
Back at the
game show.

12. Is it being presented in segments, separated by changes in
location or time?
Location Time
Real Time
Running
outside.
Real Time
At the
bathroom
with the
brother.
Flashback
Jamal has a
flashback of
the first time
he sees Latika.

13. Is it being broken up or linked by graphics?
No graphics are present in this clip.

14. Is there a single narrative or are multiple narratives being
shown?
Narrative 1 Narrative 2
Jamal is on his final
question of ‘Who wants Latika watches the
to be a millionaire’ game show from the
side of the road
Jamal asks to use the
‘phone a friend’ option
Latika remembers the
phone in the car
Producers motions for
the presenter to off cut
the phone
Latika runs back to get
the phone
Jamal sits in
disappointment cause no
one is picking up phone
Latika reaches in time
Jamal remembers back and picks up the phone
to when he first meets
Latika

15. Are there clear character roles and functions being
established, such as a hero or villain? How does their role(s)
connect to the narrative?
Role/Representation
Their Function • Jamal is the hero • Salim’s the villain.
• He protects Latika from Salim • He purposely sleeps with
• Accepts Latika as one of the Latika to annoy Jamal.
three Musketeers. • The one that leaves Latika
in the first place.
Connection to The story is focused around him The one close to the hero, is
Narrative and his love for Latika the one that becomes the
villain.

16. PART 3
Time

17. Story Time and Discourse Time
Story Time Discourse Time
Screen Grab N/A
Explanation No evidence but probably Takes 1:21 to narrate this scene
within 10 mins
-Seconds to ask the question
-Around 2 minutes for Latika to
get the phone and pick up the
phone

18. The times being represented:
Types of Screen grabs/Evidence Explanation
Time
Summary This scene takes place over approx 10 minutes This clip is only 1:21 long, so
by editing this scene the
time is reduced to represent
10 minutes over only 1
minute
Ellipsis N/A
Scene When the presenter is
asking Jamal the final
question
Stretch N/A
Flashback Flashback
Jamal flashbacks to when
he first meets Latika
Real time Back to real time
(thinking)
Flash N/A
Forward