Exploration of Cultural Variances and Narrative Dynamics: A Comparative Analysis of Laapataa Ladies and Poor Things

Abstract:

This research article delves into the realm of comparative literature through an interdisciplinary lens, exploring cultural variances and narrative dynamics in the cinematic landscape. Utilizing Champoux's Observational Model and Horton and McDougal's theoretical framework, the study conducts a comparative analysis of two films: Laapataa Ladies directed by Kiran Rao and Poor Things directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. Through this analysis, the article unveils intriguing insights into the evolving socio-cultural landscapes of contemporary India and Victorian England, shedding light on themes of identity, societal expectations, and the human condition depicted in these cinematic narratives. The comparative method helps in illuminating previously unknown aspects of one text, which can be better highlighted through comparison with another text.

Keywords:

Comparative literature, narrative dynamics, cinematic analysis, Laapataa Ladies, Poor Things, socio-cultural landscapes

Introduction:

Comparative literature, as an interdisciplinary field, transcends geographical and cultural boundaries to explore the rich tapestry of global literary traditions. (Bassnett) Scholars in this discipline aim to redefine the concept of literature by integrating literary experiences with broader cultural phenomena. This research article delves into the cinematic realm, utilizing Champoux's Observational Model (Film Remakes As A Comparative View Of Time) andHorton and McDougal's theoretical framework (Introduction) to analyze two films, Laapataa Ladies directed by Kiran Rao (2023) and Poor Things directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. (2023)The comparative method helps in illuminating previously unknown aspects of one text, which can be better highlighted through comparison with another text. Through this comparative analysis, we unveil intriguing cultural variances and narrative dynamics, shedding light on the evolving sociocultural landscapes of contemporary India and Victorian England.Antecedents and Historical Context:The origins of comparative literature can be traced back to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's concept of "world literature" and the contributions of Russian Formalists like Alexander Veselovsky. (Damrosch) In India, Rabindranath Tagore advocated for Vishva Sahitya,emphasizing the importance of transcending national boundaries in literary studies. (Tagore)Similarly, the cinematic realm offers a platform to explore cultural nuances and societal norms through visual storytelling.

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An Introduction to Film Studies

Film studies is an academic discipline that deals with various theoretical, historical, and critical approaches to cinema as an art form and a medium. It is sometimes subsumed within media studies and is often compared to television studies (Gibson, Pamela Church; Dyer, Richard; Kaplan, E. Ann; Willemen, Paul, eds. (2000). "Introduction". Film Studies: Critical Approaches. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 1–8)

Film studies is less concerned with advancing proficiency in film production than it is with exploring the narrative, artistic, cultural, economic, and political implications of the cinema (Gibson). In searching for these social-ideological values, film studies takes a series of critical approaches for the analysis of production, theoretical framework, context, and creation (Sikov, Ed. 2010. "Introduction." Pp. 1–4 in Film Studies: An Introduction. New York: Columbia UP. Print).

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Kuleshov Effect: The Kuleshov effect is a film editing (montage) effect demonstrated by Russian film-maker Lev Kuleshov in the 1910s and 1920s. It is a mental phenomenon by which viewers derive more meaning from the interaction of two sequential shots than from a single shot in isolation. It is a cognitive event in which viewers derive more meaning from the interaction of two sequential shots than from a single shot in isolation.

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Reference:

Gibson, Pamela Church; Dyer, Richard; Kaplan, E. Ann; Willemen, Paul, eds. (2000). "Introduction". Film Studies: Critical Approaches. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 1–8

Ryan, Michael. An Introduction to Literature: Criticism, Film, Culture. Wiley Blackwell. 2012.

Sikov, Ed. 2010. "Introduction." Pp. 1–4 in Film Studies: An Introduction. New York: Columbia UP. Print

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