CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF LITERATURE
AND CINEMA: INTRO LECTURE
Geetha Bakilapadavu
“And should I then presume?
And how should I begin?”…
T.S. Eliot
Course Description
■ Creativity and Aesthetics; Overview of Approaches to Literature, Literary
and Cinematic Narratives; Interpretation of Selected Works of Literature
and Cinema; Understanding Drama: Theme, Character, Plot, Form;
Understanding Fiction: Setting, Point of View, Plot and Character;
Understanding Novel: Meaning and Message, Style and Coherence;
Understanding Cinema: Relationship of Form and Meaning, Image
Construction, Shots, Scenes, Sequences, Mise-en-Scene, Frames, Codes,
Signs, Syntax; Sound: Diegetic & Non-diegetic Sound; Editing: Montage,
Continuity editing.
Scope and Objective of the Course
■ to inculcate in students a critical insight required to interpret a work of
literature/ cinema
■ to imbibe such perception and critical judgment required to do the above
task
■ to introduce the subtle nuances of such works
■ to introduce different forms, terminologies and trends prevalent in both
the mediums of literature and cinema
■ to enable them to place a work of art in proper context
Text Books:
■ T-1 Muller, M. Gilbert and John A, 1995. Williams, T The McGraw-Hill Introduction to Literature, 2nd Ed.,
New York: McGraw Hill Inc.,.
■ T-2 Geetha, Bakilapadavu, 2008. Introduction to Film Analysis, EDD Notes: BITS, Pilani.
Reference Books
■ R-1 Abbot.H.Porter. 2002.The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative U.K : Cambridge University Press.
■ R-2 Cuddon, J.A., A Dictionary of Literary Terms, New Delhi: Indian Book Company, 1977.
■ R3-Peck, John & Martin Coyle. 1993. How to Study Literature London : Macmillan
■ R-4 Monaco, James, 2000. How to Read a Film, New York: Oxford University Press.
■ R- 5 Bordwell, David, and Kristin Thompson, eds. Film Art: An Introduction (11th Edition). New York:
McGraw-Hill Education, 2017.
■ R-6 Scott, Wilbur S, 1962. Five Approaches of Literary criticism, New York; The Macmillan Company
Lecture No. Learning Objectives Topics to be covered Reference to Chap/Sec/Book
Function, Process and Trends in Various Art Forms; Introduction to Cinema and Literature
Contextual Framework for Literature and Cinema Lecture Notes
1-2
3-4 Forms, Functions and Analysis of Narratives;
Context, Structure, Perspective, Genre and Style
Introduction to Narratives: Forms and functions of
R1 – Ch. 1 and 6
Narratives
Implied Author, Overreading, Underreading, Gaps,
Crux; Three Ways to Interpret Narrative,
5-6
Interpreting Narrative R1- Ch. 7 and 8
Short Fiction: Meaning, Message, Style Understanding Short Fiction Text – 1
7-8 Ch 1,2,3, 4
Short Fiction: Coherence, Theme, Symbolism, Understanding Short Fiction Text 1: Ch. 5, 6,7,8
Imagery
9-10
Individual Works of Short Stories Critical Reading and Analysis To be provided
11-12
Important Aspects of a Novel: Setting, Point of Understanding the Novel R3: Ch.4
view, Tone, Style, Meaning, Structure, etc.
13-15
Introduction to Drama: Theme, Character, Plot, Understanding Drama Text – 1
Dialogues and Language
Ch 19,20, 21,22
16-17
Introduction to Drama: Theme, Character, Plot, Understanding Drama Text – 1
Dialogues and Language
18-19 Ch 19,20, 21,22
Critical Reading: Drama Critical Reading of the Selected Play Hayavadana (play by Girish
Karnad)
20-21
Critical Reading: Drama (continued) Analysis and Discussion Hayavadana (Continued)
22-23
Film History: A Brief Overview Film History; Major Film Movements (Film T2: Ch. 2, R5: Part Two,
Schools) Chapter 2 and 3
Cinema as an Artistic Medium The Nature of Art; Ways of Looking at Art ; Film R4- Ch 1, R5- Part 1-1
Art
Relationship of Film Structure, Meaning, Feeling Film Structure and Meaning Making T2, Ch.4 ; R4: Ch.3
Film Mise-en-scene Setting, Costume, Prop, Framing, Colour, Camera, T 2, Ch.4;
Lighting, Diegetic Sound
34-35 Critical Analysis of Films Film Analysis with a focus on mise-en-scene T 2, Ch. 6
Basics of Film Editing: Continuity Editing, Soviet
36-37 Types of Editing and Film Editing techniques T 2., Ch.5
Montage, Jump Cuts and Elliptical Editing
Film Analysis with a focus on editing techniques
38-39 Critical Analysis of Film Editing in Films 3 and 4 T 2., Ch.5
and the meaning making process
40 Summing Up ____________ ____________
Reading Assignment:
Critical approaches to Critical R4- `pp. 11-22;
literature: Sociological, Approaches to 23-57; 123
Psychological, Archetypal and Literature 161; 69-98; 247-315;
Formalistic Approaches 179-231
Consultation Hour: Tuesdays 5 p.m. (prior booking of the slots required)
Notice: Notices concerning this course will be put up on Moodle/ google
platform.
Make-up Policy: Make up will be granted only in genuine cases.
Thank You ☺
