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 God. This was achieved through the dislocation of the natural world and mans attempt to play God. The texts present a view that questions the ethics of science which progress is unchecked.
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.
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
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.
Texts in Time Frankenstein and Blade Runner Reflection Statement Texts in Time Frankenstein and Blade Runner Reflection Statement HSC Advanced English David Touma HSC Advanced English David Touma Despite a 164 year contextual barrier, the significant values and concerns of Mary Shelley’s 1818 gothic novel Frankenstein are exemplified in Ridley Scott’s post-modern pastiche cult classic film Blade Runner (1982). Both composers demonstrate similar perspectives on common thematic concepts; including the obsession with knowledge, science and technology, the usurpation of the role of god, as well as neglecting filial responsibility and revenge. Despite their differences in context and medium, both are effective in exploring the consequences of their common concepts. Contextually, Shelley explicates romantic idealism as opposed to enlightenment, and the post-industrial European environment, whereas; Scott’s film noir sci-fi echoes issues regarding excessive industrialisation and globalisation, adding voice to Shelley’s precautionary tale. Frankenstein was composed during the Romantic period; which involved challenging previously accepted, scientific statements, regarding the practical and ethical possibilities arising from human enquiries into the sources of life and human knowledge in general.
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.
However, ‘Brave New World’ differs to ‘Blade Runner’ as Huxley’s world is not as concerned with the destruction, but rather humanity becoming vastly separated form nature due to everything being controlled. Huxley’s context also played a significant role in the definition of the future. During the early decades of the 20th Century, the desire for stability saw the development of a number of fascist and totalitarian states throughout Europe. These states sought to obtain the people and their minds. In Huxley’s world of the World State, humanity is conditioned to reject the nature as the natural rhythms of birth and ageing as well as emotions that are evolved when in contact with nature are considered to threaten the stability of civilization.
In what ways does a comparative study accentuate the distinctive contexts of Frankenstein and Blade Runner? According to genre theorist Jonathon Fiske, texts of a genre embody “the crucial ideological concerns of their time.” With reference to Mary Shelley’s Gothic novel Frankenstein and Ridley Scott’s neo-Gothic science fiction film Blade Runner: The Director’s Cut, a comparative study significantly emphasises the distinctive contexts of Shelley and Scott through examining the relationship between the cultural values which permeate their subtexts. Despite nearly two centuries between their publications the concerns regarding the uncertainty of man’s usurpation of divine power, science’s reckless destruction of nature, and its blurring of
This opposed the assumption that humans were superior to animals in every way. Sigmund Freud's development of his 3 part human mind crushed the assumptions of the philosophes that logic and reason make the greatest man. He showed the id, the section of pleasure and desire, played a major and balanced role as the other two parts, the ego and superego. These two scientists introduced two revolutionary concepts to the scientific community in Europe, evolution and psychology. These challenged previously accepted assumptions about human behavior and
I believe that if the creature were made today then Victor's creation would bring about a prestigious Nobel Prize because it is, without a doubt, very advanced science. But as he realizes the horror and frightening appearance of the creature, his thoughts about his creation end up reverting to regret. He realizes that his creation is not a positive discovery for science, but in fact a living danger to those around him that he loves. This brings to attention that we need to realize that all our actions have consequences whether they are good or