Science & Technology * Example: Ernest (Frankenstein’s brother) is “full of activity and spirit”, “ looks upon study as an odious fetter; his time is spent in the open air”. Frankenstein: “often did my human nature turn with loathing from my occupation”. “It was a most beautiful season…but my eyes were insensible to the charms of nature” * Technique & Effect: Shelley characterises Ernest as representative of Romanticism and Frankenstein as representative of the Enlightenment. Shelley juxtaposes the two to highlight how their contrasting relationship with nature results in contrasting levels of personal well-being. Ernest is described in terms with positive connotations such as “spirit”, while Frankenstein is described in pejorative terms such as “loathing”.
People are, in theory, all bound to a certain set of natural laws and moral codes and country rules, and part of the Romantic dogma is to break free of these bounds. This is precisely what Victor was attempting to do with his reanimation experiments: “Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world,” (M. Shelley 52) he says, further cementing his existence as a Romantic character. Mary Shelley was a self-professed lover of Coleridge, especially his poem, “Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner,” so it comes by no surprise that she also has references to his poem “The Eolian Harp,” which is another topic breached by several of the Romantic poets because of its place in classical poetry as well. The poem grants the idea of somewhat of a breeze of inspiration playing on the heart of the subject (Coleridge). Shelley takes this idea into her novel in several places, and means it as a breeze of discovery, not just as a breeze of inspiration.
The multifaceted nature of humanity is revealed in both Mary Shelly’s novel Frankenstein as well as in Ridely Scott’s film blade runner. Despite the dissimilarity in time between the two, both texts essentially mirror each other, in effectively delving into the themes in which society was faced with. Together, both Ridley Scott and Mary shelly explore the repercussions that could come of growing scientific advancements that consequently slowly destroyed any concept of nature through out the 19th century, which brought about a rebellion against the concept of romanticism throughout that era. Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein unambiguously investigates the sublime in nature. Throughout Shelly’s era the notion of romanticism was highly influential
In what ways has the comparative study of Frankenstein and Blade Runner enhanced your understanding of the interaction between humanity and nature? The comparative study of ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelly and ‘Blade Runner- Directors Cut’ by Ridley Scott explores many aspects of the interaction between humanity and nature. As we compare the two texts we gain thorough insight into what the composers are trying to portray. In ‘Frankenstein’ Shelly communicates the idea that during such context, humanity’s desire to triumph nature was only just beginning therefore the affects are less intense, however in the much later context we see in ‘Blade Runner’ Scott further demonstrates the affect of what happens to society when humanity continues to advance
Mary married British Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1816. The genesis of Shelley´s best known novel is well known today. It goes back to 1816, when Marry and Percy Shelley, who was still in that time married to other women whom he left in England pregnant, left to Switzerland and became the neighbours of their common friend Lord Byron, a poet and a leading figure in the Romantic Movement. With their tradition in reading German ghost stories during stormy evenings, Byron challenged his guests to write one themselves. Marry came with the idea that led to Frankenstein.
Focusing more on the question at hand, there are many different times where Kadare uses imagery and symbolism to help convey meaning in chapter 3, particularly to covey the surroundings of Diana and Bessian as they travel through the mountains to the castle. When Bessian first points out a mountaineer, for instance, places emphasis on the black ribbon on his right sleeve. After telling Diana that the black ribbon is a “mark of death” (Page 68), Diana responds with “how terrible!” After an expression of surprise on Bessian’s face, Diana restates that “she meant to say that death is beautiful and terrible at the same time” (Page 68). As a result of this irony, even though death may be terrible, the traditional view
Albert Einstein once said, “We cannot despair of humanity, since we ourselves are human beings.” Being human is making mistakes. We make mistakes because we are capable of being scared, overconfident, zealous, and joyous. This myriad array of emotions both coerces and condemns our every action, dooming us to a life of acting on impulse and striving for perfection. Emotions can push us to do great things, yet also tempt us towards evil. Our capacity to act beyond primal instinct is what makes us human.
Mary Shelley’s gothic novel ‘Frankenstein, and Ridley Scott’s noir film ‘Blade Runner’ explore similar issues in complete different settings. On the surface these texts seem vastly different because of the large gap in time setting but in hindsight the audience is able to recognize that despite the difference in context both texts present the same problems regarding changing values and ethics in society and the role of playing-God in the characters of Victor Frankenstein and Tyrell. One of the aspects that Mary Shelley’s novel ‘Frankenstein’ explores is the concept of hubris in the main character Victor Frankenstein; hubris can be defined as excessive pride, self-confidence and defiance towards God that ultimately leads to the demise of the individual. This is shown through
How has context affected the treatment of the concepts of nature and transgression in the texts under study? Although written almost two centuries apart, both Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Bladerunner by Ridley Scott are products of their respective times. Multiple parallels can be drawn between the two texts including the significance and transgression of the natural world and natural order, the questioning of the human condition and the nature of humanity. While both texts can be said to be a product of their time, by drawing on numerous aspects of their respective contexts, what makes them significant is their exploration into ideas that continue to be prevalent in the 21st century. Nature often holds revitalising and sublime qualities
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.”