In order to analyze Frankenstein, one must recall some elements of people's imaginary, as well as old scholars' concepts regarding this famous and ingenious work of Romantic literature. The background in which the author Mary Shelley was inserted to, as well as its importance in introducing readers to a certain type of moral dilemma that was dealt with by several authors of that era, aside from stamping a whole new genre in itself, which was science-fiction. This article briefly discusses the main thematic elements of the novel, inserted in a certain context, under a revenge and betrayal bias, which are ultimately the main triggers of the dramatic action. To start with, it is interesting to mention one of the richest elements of the story. The duality of Victor Frankenstein and its creation is obvious.
For both Frankenstein and Bladerunner, the texts clearly convey both the time in which they were produced and illuminate why their composers chose the format through which they convey their concerns of the dangers of scientific knowledge and the inherit goodness of humans and the impact of life experience that provokes change. These two ideas continued as paramount concerns during both periods of time in which these texts were written and still resonate with society to this modern day. Shelley’s novel ‘Frankenstein’ is an exemplar of the texts popular in her time. It was known that both romantic and gothic texts had come to influence the literary scene of the late 18th century, a period of revolutionary political and social reform. However,
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.
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 Frankenstein (1818) and Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner (1981) are both a representation of their composer’s contextual anxieties. By developing a deeper understanding of the composer’s context, the (underlying messages in the text is met.) The comparison also shows that despite being separated by over a century, the interpretations of the authors on the paradigms of nature, science and humanity (meet on similar lines, creating a timeless effect). Frankenstein, composed during the 19th century, a period of revolt, the French Revolution being an iconic event heavily influenced the theme of ‘usurpation of power’ that (frolics in the novel). The 19th century also saw a time of great scientific breaches such as Galvani and his Galvanism,
When comparing Mary Shelley’s 1818 Gothic novel ‘Frankenstein’ and Ridley Scott’s 1982 sci-fi film ‘Blade Runner’, the distinctive contexts are accentuated through the fundamental commonality regarding the misuse of power. This issue is foremost addressed in Shelley’s 19th century context of the Industrial revolution; a period of unprecedented scientific endeavour where the world was on the brink of destruction due to technological and scientific advances. This issue is extrapolated forward in Blade Runner, portraying the effects of two hundred years of industry and technology – the creation of a dystopian, apocalyptic society where the forewarned consequences of misuse of power are commonplace and all natural order is absent. Essentially, the symbiotic relationship between the two texts condemns humanity’s desire for power and highlights the two distinctive contexts and how they affect the representation of this idea in both texts. Throughout Frankenstein, Mary Shelley’s warning against the abuse of power and interference with natural forces permeates through the character of Victor, whose obsession with power taints his moral compass and subsequently causes him to tamper with nature.
'The Values of each age are reflected in the texts which are composed in them.' To what extent is this statement true in Frankenstein and Blade Runner? To an extent, a text may reflect the contextual values of the composer and the era of its composition. The text may not only reflect these values, but also challenge, mirror or subvert the ideologies of dominant figures within their respective time periods. Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein,' an epistolary Romantic novel inspired by elements of the Promethean myth, and Ridley Scott's 'Blade Runner,' a science fiction film known for its promotion of film/tech noir elements are two texts which have come to challenge the dominant paradigms of their time.
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
In Mel Brook’s classic film Young Frankenstein, Gene Wilder’s creature struggles to overcome his revolting appearance in order to prove himself capable of human emotions and reasoning. While Brooks’s work is only a loose adaptation of the classic novel by Mary Shelley, it is worth noting that this specific theme – that moral character is unfairly judged by appearance – transcended both versions. Perhaps Brooks, like the audience that first read Frankenstein, realized that judgment by appearance is one of the most developed themes of the original novel, and one that continues to be the most poignant. Throughout the novel of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley argues that society unfairly judges by appearance, casting out anything that is socially
Context is a powerful influence on composers’ concerns and the way these are expressed.’ How have the different contexts experienced by Shelley and Scott influenced the way they explore concerns about love? Context: -Time 20th century compared to the 19th -Marys living arrangements, married to Poet Percy Shelley -Love influencing perfection -Societies expectation in the 19th C compares to Blade runner extreme differences in the expectation of love. -Similar-both aspiring perfection and progression -The norm of society was not accepted in science -Frankenstein symbolising woman in society of this time Frankenstein: Blade Runner: Technique/Effect: “There is love in me the likes of which you've never seen. There is rage in me the likes of which should never escape. If I am not satisfied in the one, I will indulge the other.”