Comparison of Texts Draft Statement: ‘Monsters are not born into the world, they are created in it’. The significance of surroundings is portrayed through the use of imagery; it is affected by their attitudes formed by their own idiosyncratic epochs such as sublimity and postmodernism. Disparity in emotional control and behavior distinguishes a monster from a human. Both the novel “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley and film “Blade Runner” by Ridley Scott, contrasts this idea of nature verses nurture and detachment. The creature’s emotions have power over them and they become slaves to it because they are inexperienced.
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 comparative study of these texts encompasses themes of humanity and playing God through a tone of moral warning and allows the responder to explore how similar content in different contexts will reflect changing, but also constant values. Through the use of filmic techniques, Scott demonstrates how nature and religion are absent in a world overrun by consumerism and technology. Due to her context, Shelley alternatively uses imagery and allusions to hint at the consequences humanity will suffer if they try to better God through the misuse of science and the corruption of nature. Both of these texts reflect the distinctive contexts in which they were written; although separated by over 100 years of history, they still present similar issues and dilemmas which affected the form and features of the individual texts.
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”.
Compare how the treatment of similar content in a pair of texts composed in different times and contexts may reflect changing values and perceptives. Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley and Blade Runner directed by Ridley Scott, both reflect the period industrially, socially and the technological revolution surrounding the time composition. Frankenstein and Blade Runner are products of their time with the values and ideas they represent and are understood within the historical context in which they were composed. Both texts explore and question various aspects of humanity, creation, nature, science and technology via a wide range of techniques characteristic to their medium of production. Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley in 1818,
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.
“I shall no longer see the sun or stars, or feel the winds play on my cheek” shows how well Shelley juxtaposes an ‘ugly’ image [creature] against the sly nature sublime, suggesting that the creature, despite his creation, was a part of nature. Ultimately, it relates back to the theme of the novel, reminding us of the consequences of knowledge by disrupting nature, undesired outcomes are bound to occur. This natural imagery is contrasted in Blade Runner. In the opening scene, the cityscape is devoid of any natural elements, implying the degradation of the world to technology. The disruption of our natural environment gives way to more corporatism, globalism and
With the recurrent expansion of scientific knowledge and technology in today’s society, new inventions, theories, and ideas are frequently brought into practice. All though new technologies and advancement in understanding of the world around us is crucial to scientific expansion, the outcomes of these ideas aren’t always positive. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the original practices of Eugenics both serve as correlations to vast and ever-growing scientific universe. These two works can be related in their ability to serve as sources of caution during innovation of science. Nevertheless, both Frankenstein and Eugenics can also be dissimilar from that of one another.
The Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution, which lasted from the 18th through the 19th century, had its positive and negative effects on the world. The many undesirable effects proved to be the reason for the positive results. Many great quantities of advancements and inventions were created during this period of time, which enabled the people to prosper into our current social structure. The Industrial Revolution led to many progressive advancements and inventions. These machines that were invented helped to make work more efficient.
“[T]oo drunk to remember to shut the pop holes,” his chaotic behaviour provides an ideal situation for a revolution. The historical fact that revolutions can take place when the governing order betrays big weaknesses is well exemplified in this situation. Orwell creates a very favourable setting for a secret discussion among the animals on the subject of the tyrannical master, Mr. Jones. The gloomy situation and the master’s indifference allow the animals to come together and make a collective effort for their
The Inevitability of Negative Consequences of the Industrial Revolution The perception of the industrial revolution as a key factor in changing the way of life is a fair statement. It is termed a “revolution” because the changes it produced were great and sudden. This revolution first appeared in Britain in the 1700s, fostering attitudes toward capitalism and modern industry everywhere. New traditions replaced old traditions, machinery replaced people, and people moved to urban cities from rural areas; simply, the way of life had been changed forever. The industrial revolution introduced mass production and greater markets.