Power & Dominance (Science and Technology) - over arching idea - everything isd linked back here and through that to the question creator and created - double-edged sword. Both Frankenstein and Blade Runner (800 words) the role of science and technology - Warning voice Context - shelley and scott portray their creators as hubristic figures who challenge the laws of nature and moral sensibilities of their time. while each of these characters alludes to promethean warnings regarding their acquisition of knowledge, there are a variety of aspects that differ and lend further dimensions of meaning........ tyrell lacks the benevolent aims for society where victor originally professes ...... unlike victor who only dreams of God like
As a consequence of time, the world continues to change technologically, socially, and scientifically. As do the common values and perspectives of man. Illustrations of this notion are exhibited through Mary Shelley’s novel, “Frankenstein” (1818) and Ridley Scott’s sci-fi film “Blade Runner” (1982) Both texts succeed in address contemporary issues at the time of their release such as what is humanity?, the consequences of assuming the role of God and the effects of scientific and technological advancement on society and nature . Both Shelley and Scott compose their works in a bid to warn people of the advancements at the time. This is done through provoking individuals to question and criticise the ethics and principles upheld in
The replicants are artificial, the memories are artificial. Technology has well and truly taken over. Akin to Frankenstein, Blade Runner acts as a severe warning to the depressing future we may have if we try to push advances of science and technology further and further beyond the limit. As before mentioned, it is the hubris of the protagonists in each text that causes the highest diminution of humanity. In both texts, both protagonists seek earnestly to become God-like by taking on the role of creator, Frankenstein with the monster, and Tyrell with the replicants.
Frankenstein was being written in a time when philosophers and writers such as Rousseau and John Locke where developing their ideas on the human condition. Rousseau’s Theory of Natural Human, which acknowledged that morality was not a societal construct but rather “natural” and “innate”, is questioned throughout the novel. Shelley examines the effect of society and knowledge on the innate goodness of the Creature, suggesting that he has become the monster that Victor sees him as because of the unwillingness of his creator to accept him and nurture him. The idea that humans’ innate goodness is tainted and polluted by society is present when the Creature expresses that his “sorrow only increased with knowledge” and this “increase of knowledge only discovered to [him] more clearly what wretched outcast [he] was”. The relationship between Frankenstein and the Creature is also paralleled with that of Lucifer and God and this is shown when the Creature, a symbol of humankind, acknowledges that “I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed”, suggesting that had it been nurtured/educated, it would have become an
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 Articles, “Frankenfood: Monstrous or Misunderstood” by, Jessica Ullian, and “Frankenfood, Coming Soon to a Store Near You?”, publishes by Fox News, both relate to Marry Shelley’s, Frankenstein by applying themes, symbols and Motifs throughout the novel. All three acquire the same theme they consist of the dangerous curiosity of knowledge. They relate to Frankenstein because Victor wants conceive a new life form, and the articles both want to compose genetically engineered food. For example, Ullian states that there is a chance that something may go wrong, “…There’s going to be an accident, and it will spread. It may not do any harm, but on the other hand, it may.” This shows the dangerous factor of the food.
You may deem me a romantic, my dear sister, but I bitterly feel the want of a friend. I have no one near me, gentle or courageous,…to approve or amend my plans..” 2nd paragraph- Victor Frankenstein - is on a quest to uncover the secrets of life and increase his study into natural philosophy - his purpose to be greatly acknowledged for his creation, fulfil his
Frankenstein and Bladerunner challenges the notions of “men of genius” and raises the critical concern of the dangers of obtaining and acting upon scientific knowledge. It questions how these men of genius can allow themselves to free reign to experiment and interfere with the mysteries of life itself. This can be seen as a ‘Prometheus linking’ motif as both scientists Victor and Tyrrell strive for perfection and are unconcerned with the
Blade Runner Essay Question: In what ways does a comparative study accentuate the distinctive contexts of Frankenstein and Blade Runner? Answer: Through texts composers have been able to highlight and examine key ideas relative to their specific context. A text has the ability to bring to the forefront its contextual ideas in a engaging manner. In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein the context is highlighted through 19th century ideas of Gothicism and Romanticism in an entertaining but concerning manner. Additionally, Ridley Scott’s feature film Blade Runner depicts a dystopian world devastated by capitalism, greed and technology which were primary concerns in the context of the 1980’s.
Finally, the creature interrupts Victor's narration and we get its point of view, leading up to its request for a companion. This quote comes at the very end of Chapter Two of this amazing tale and refers to the way in which the course of Frankenstein's education and his particular focus seems to have been set out from the dawn of time by Destiny and was unavoidable. At the end of this chapter he narrates how he became disenchanted with his previous focus on Natural Philosophy and was drawn more to the "solid foundations" of mathematics and its associated disciplines. Looking back on this time of his life, Frankenstein describes it as: “...the last effort made by the spirit of preservation to avert the storm that was even then hanging in the stars.” Yet, at the end of the day, even this noble effort of "the spirit of preservation" was not enough to deter Destiny, who is too "potent" to be defeated by such a strategy. Frankenstein clearly feels that his education and its end goal of creating life in the monster was decreed to occur by Destiny, and as such, even temporary distractions would not deter him from achieving what Destiny had set out for him to do.