Shelley evidences this theme through Victor stealing the Gods gift of life, alluding to Prometheus stealing the Gods gift of fire, epitomised in Victors dialogue “A new species would bless me as its creator”. ( can also add from here the domino effect/ notes taken from book, consequences of playing God) Victor becomes a lost soul when he tries his ghastly experiments on the dead and loses his moral compass when he becomes obsessed with animating the dead. Victor's overindulgence in science takes away his humanity, and he is left with the consequences of these actions without having reasoned out the reality that his experiments may not have the desired effects. (can also talk about loss of parental duty/abondment) Rejecting and not naming his invention makes the reader feel a sense of prejudice against the monster as it is given titles such as the ‘monster’ or ‘creature’, words that linger on a negative aspect. This initial reaction of Victor was an indirect means of Shelley showing how humans would react to side effects or catastrophes caused by scientific
In the film, Frankenstein, directed by James Whale in 1931, the concept of nature versus nurture is clearly analyzed. The Monster at first is perceived as an evil creature, but Whale corrects this misinterpretation by showing, through various scenes in the film, that the Monster’s behavior is simply misunderstood. The Monster is good natured but it is his environment that causes the audience and society to create this false label for the Monster. Not only does Whale clear up this false impression of the Monster, he also advocates this co-existence of differences in a society by urging the 1931 audience to embrace a welcoming attitude and be less quick to judge. This film shows the importance of how one treats others is more important than how one is made, and this is a product of nurture one receives.
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
Both Shelley’s novel and Scott’s feature film are examples of texts that transcend the age they are created in – they serve as warnings to humanity about the dangers of scientific alteration of the natural cycle Shelley’s Frankenstein was composed during an era of rampant social and scientific change; although this change was not necessarily progress. Shelley’s novel examines the moral responsibility of the scientist, and offers the consequences of annihilation of nature. During the 19th Century, the environment stopped being a source of beauty and inspiration and largely became another commodity; a casualty of the Industrial Revolution. Shelley continues the Romantic theme of emphasis on nature with her repeated
Although perspectives and values change with time, ideas and concepts can transcend. In pursuit of knowledge and technology, society begins to lose a sense of humanity. The 1818 gothic novel, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and 1982 science fiction film, Blade Runner directed by Ridley Scott although composed over one hundred years apart contain the same concepts on the nature of humanity. Through context and a variety of film and literary techniques both composers were able to convey their purpose of a cautionary warning about the consequences of playing
In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, we are introduced to Victor Frankenstein; a man obsessed with discovering the secret to creating life. While his goals appear somewhat benevolent; "wealth was an inferior object; but what glory would attend the discovery, if I could banish disease from the human frame, and render man invulnerable to any but a violent death!" (p. 42), he seeks the fame and glory that would come with
The combination of these two techniques establishes the point in which Shelly has made that Victor was doing something beneficial for the world. This perspective on his project changes once the monster is created through the use of technology. This is shown when Victor says “Never will I create someone like you equal in deformity and wickedness.” Shelly’s use of first person once again evokes a connection with the reader whilst the use of the nouns “deformity” and “wickedness” allow the reader to feel that Frankenstein regrets his actions. Thus, as Victor’s perspective on technology changes the reader’s perspective does as well. Shelly does this to warn against industrialization.
Texts reflect the social, economic and historical contexts of which the author compose their work in. Both Mary Shelley’s 19th century gothic novel “Frankenstein” and the science fiction film “Blade Runner” directed by Ridley Scott propose similar concepts even though their work were compose during different era. As a Romanticist, Shelley put down the idea of man playing ‘God’, Scott’s responds to Shelley warning is also condemn man’s thoughtless ambition. However the context of greed and mass industrialisation shifts the criticism onto the pursuit of commercial dominance. Both texts have used many language techniques and features to describe similar dystopian visions result from man’s abandonment of nature.
Mary Shelley’s work of literature, Frankenstein, conveys her negative attitudes towards scientific issues of her time. With the use of Victor Frankenstein and the monster, Shelley is able to depict that the curiosity of science leads to negative impacts in society. Frankenstein is portrayed as a man full of interest in natural philosophy. Although his eager learning and experimenting for science is unlimited, he builds a monster that causes low credibility, betrayal and conviction for Frankenstein and those surrounding him. Fame being one of Frankenstein’s prime motive for creating a superhuman portrays that he does not realize his motive will cause low credibility.
It keeps posing questions such as, “What does it mean to be a monster” or “What does it mean to be human?”. The irony in Blade Runner is the blade runners (supposedly humans) act in an inhumane manner, “retiring” replicants due to their developments of human characteristics. Where as Roy (a replicant) performs a great act of mercy, sparing Deckard’s life. Roy appears “…more human than human…” (Tyrell Corporations motto) in his empathy and compassion. While in Frankenstein the creature’s fate is chosen with his appearance and societies prejudice.