In what ways does a comparative study accentuate the distinctive contexts of Frankenstein and Blade Runner? The values and morals of society have dramatically changed throughout the course of history, so too has the knowledge of science, its teachings and influences on the world. As new technologies have been under further experimentation into the production of man-made life forms, the debate between science and religion has continued. It is these issues within an author’s context that influences them and the texts they create. Mary Shelley’s gothic promethean novel, Frankenstein (1818), was released during the industrial revolution as romanticism was thriving, while Ridley Scott’s futuristic sci-fi Blade runner (1992) grew with the dawning of a capitalistic increasingly globalised and technologically driven society.
The monster comments on his bodily composition in the novel and makes a seemingly obvious comment much more intriguing. The monster paves the way for a successful scientific understanding of the novel and the concept of recreating life: “I was not even of the same nature as man” (Shelley 103). The monster makes clear the fact that he came into existence in a fashion far-removed from natural sexual reproduction and human birth. The critic Stanley Crouch explains: “Frankenstein injected into the game the idea of artificially creating life. Scientifically manipulating the forces that underlie existence; subverting sexual coupling as the sole manner of passing on the divine spark” (Crouch 56).
Ridley Scott states, “it is a film about whether you can have a meaningful relationship with your toaster”. This is a direct quote and metaphor about the replicants. This means that you cannot have a relationship with a replicant as they are robots and do not have the same qualities as humans. This is comparing the replicants to robots, and humans. Another quote about the prescribed text is by Rita Kempley, a Washington Post Staff Writer who said, "It is, in fact, an amazingly sophisticated, sumptuously visionary treatise on the consequences of attaining god-hood."
Victor’s curiosity led him to creating the monster. There weren’t many people who accepted the idea of galvanism and things of the like in Frankenstein’s day. “On this occasion a man of great research in natural philosophy was with us, and, excited by this catastrophe, he entered on the explanation of a theory which he had formed on the subject of electricity and galvanism.” (Shelley, page 37). This quote illustrates that Victor is becoming more involved and studying more about creating life. I can’t imagine being seventeen or eighteen and thinking about how to bring something you have created from the dead.
As time goes by, society changes; new discoveries are made, new inventions come about and knowledge of the world around us increases. All this notably influences society’s perception of themselves, people around them and life in general. Through the study of texts from various time periods, it is safe to say that any literature or media reflects the context in which it was produced. The novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelly, released in 1818, echoes the intricate mindsets, ideas, values and criticisms of Shelly’s society. Similarly, Blade Runner (the director’s cut) by Ridley Scott released in 1992 mirrors the society of his time.
Victor Frankenstein was born into a loving and caring family, with his mother and father and orphan adopted sister, Elizabeth. Victor was always a quick learner and studied sciences, chemistry and had a fascination with electricity. He left home to continue his studies in science at the University of Ingolstadt (Shelley, page 50). During his time at the university, he impresses his professors and fellow class mates with his own philosophies. As his term was ending at Ingolstadt, Victor wanted to practice his philosophy of recreating human life.
Character types are the moulds which a great deal of characters in fiction are made from, from the ‘mad scientist’ type featured in countless science fiction and horror novels, to the ‘strong, silent’ type present in almost every single action movie ever made. They can be traced back to ancient Greek theatre, where ‘stock’ characters would be used in order to quickly provide the audience with personalities and action derived from those personalities which would be immediately familiar and recognizable to the audience. Many of those first stock characters have carried onto the present day- the buffoon, the wise old man and of course the Hero remains popular to this day. The widespread use of character types can be traced to three main points: 1-Character types can tap into the emotions and ideas innate in all human beings, as proposed by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Young, who outlined several recurring types: The Child, The Hero, The Wise Old Man, The Great Mother, The Trickster, The Devil, in addition to several other. The advantage to using types with these ideas in mind is that, if used properly, a story can become universal and easily understood among all humans in terms of its themes and message and, if used in conjunction with exceptional writing and plausible motivation for its characters, a story can become forever etched into human culture.
ALCHEMY- AN AMALGAM OF MAGIC, MYTHOLOGY AND CHEMICAL SCIENCE From the bronze age to the modern nuclear age, the story of the step by step advance through the ‘mysteries of the elements’ is recounted here, and the impact of great discoveries on civilizations set forth in all its drama. I use this article as an opportunity to relate the mysterious art of wizardry and Alchemy with the much rational and myth busting science of Chemistry. Alchemy and chemistry run on the very same line, both dealing with elements of nature and the universe. It is rather a fact that Alchemy is the ancestral science of Chemistry. ALCHEMY: HOW WE SEE IT.
I will analyze the author's title and expain the relationship between the title and the novel. I will also discuss the effect of the title on the reader. -The name "Frankenstein" is often used to refer to the monster itself. Frankenstein is a well established title because it gives a hint of the theme. In the novel, the monster is identified by words such as "creature," "monster", "fiend", "wretch", "vile insect","being", and "it", but speaking to Dr. Frankenstein, the monster refers to himself as "the Adam of your labors", and elsewhere as someone who "would have" been "your Adam", but is instead your "fallen angel."
Monique Head Ms. Bradley AP Lit 3A 10 November 2012 What Could Possibly Go Wrong? Chinese philosopher, Confucius once said, “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance” (brainyquote.com). This quotes means that a person may think that they know everything but in actuality they know nothing at all, such as Victor Frankenstein in Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein. As a child, Frankenstein was always fascinated with science; “The world was to me a secret which I desired to divine. Curiosity, earnest research to learn the hidden laws of nature, gladness akin to rapture, as they were unfolded to me, are among the earliest sensations I can remember” (36).