Quotes to themes
What theme does this quote connect to?
"We chose not to have kids. We wanted the two of you. That's what we wanted."
Themes: Motherhood and Family/Love
Why?
What theme does this scene connect with?
Guddu piggybacking Saroo in the opening sequence.
Theme: Relationships/Love
Why?
What do the Jalebis symbolise?
Themes: Memory and Nostalgia/ Identity and Belonging
Why: The Jalebis remind Saroo of his childhood in India and the Jalebi stand him and his brother would pass.
Flashbacks to Guddu
Memory and Nostalgia/Relationships/Family/Love/Pain/Loss
The flashbacks show how Saroo's memories continue to affect him emotionally and how they are still a part of him.
Who directed Lion?
Garth Davis
What theme does the following quote connect to?
"I'm not from Calcutta. I'm lost."
Themes: Identity and belonging
Why?
What theme does this scene connect with?
When Saroo was trapped alone on the train.
Themes: Trauma/Survival
Why: This moment marks the beginning of Saroo’s emotional trauma and struggle for survival.
What do the butterflies symbolise?
Transformation and change
Why: The butterflies appear in the film as Saroo continues his emotional growth and journey of self-discovery.
What theme does this film technique connect to?
Close-up shots of Saroo crying.
Trauma and Emotional Pain
Why: The close-ups allow the audience to clearly see Saroo’s emotional suffering and how childhood trauma remains.
What year was Lion released?
2016
What theme does this quote connect to?
Friend: “You go for the Aussies or the Indians?”
Saroo: “Only the Aussies, mate!”
Themes: Identity and belonging
Why?
Which theme does this scene connect to?
Saroo seeing Jalebis at the university party.
Themes: Memory and Nostalgia / Identity and Belonging
Why: The jalebis trigger memories of India and reconnect Saroo with his childhood identity.
What does the train symbolise?
Trauma/Pain/Loss/Separation
Why: The train is what physically separates Saroo from his family and changes his life forever.
What theme does this film technique connect to?
Shots between India and Australia.
Poverty/Global Issues/Identity
Why: This shows the difference between the two countries, but also the difference in the two lives Saroo has lived.
Mantosh, Sue and John
What theme does this quote connect to?
“You weren’t just adopting us but our past as well.”
Themes: Trauma, Pain and Self-Harm
Why: The quote shows that trauma does not disappear after adoption and still affects Saroo and Mantosh emotionally.
What theme does this scene connect to?
Mantosh becoming overwhelmed and self-harming during dinner.
Themes: Trauma, Pain and Self-Harm
Why: This scene reveals the lasting emotional effects of childhood trauma.
What does Google Earth symbolise?
Hope/Determination/Healing?
Why: Google Earth is the tool that helps Saroo begin his journey of self-discovery and helps him reconnect with his past and his family
What theme does this film technique connect with?
Warm lighting in Australia compared to the dark lighting in Calcutta.
Love and safety vs. trauma and pain
Why: The lighting between the two compares the comfort and safety that Saroo feels with his adoptive family and his life to the fear, danger, pain and trauma that he experienced in Calcutta.
What is the correct way to spell Saroo's name
Sheru
What theme does this quote connect with?
"I found her, but that doesn't change who you are."
Themes: Identity and Belonging / Motherhood and Family
Why: This quote is harder because it connects to multiple themes. Saroo reassures Sue that finding his biological mother does not replace his adoptive family. Davis shows that belonging and identity can exist across more than one family and culture.
What theme does this scene connect to?
Saroo reuniting with his mother at the end of the film.
Themes: Motherhood and Family / Identity and Belonging / Love
Why: This scene is more difficult because it connects to multiple major themes at once. Saroo reconnects with his biological family while still belonging to his Australian family, showing that identity and love can exist in multiple places.
What does the "Home" symbolise?
Identity and Belonging/Love/Family
Grief/Trauma/Loss/Longing?
Why: The idea of “home” becomes more emotional than physical throughout the film. Davis suggests home is connected to identity, family and belonging rather than just location.
Which themes does this film technique connect with?
Repeated flashbacks throughout Saroo's life in Australia.
Themes: Trauma / Identity and Belonging / Memory and Nostalgia
Why: This technique is harder because it connects multiple themes. The flashbacks show Saroo cannot escape his memories and his past. It shows that even if there is physical distance, mental and emotional distance is not the same.
What was the true name of "Ganestley"?
Ganesh Talai