Although sharing little in setting or premise, the texts Frankenstein and Blade Runner share many of the same concerns as they both challenge the values and morals of the societies in which they were set, most notably the notion of what it means to be human, as well as articulating the composers' critique of the advancement in science and technology. Both texts also exhibit the consequences of imprudent creation and the hubris of an individual to rise above and disrupt the natural order. Written in the eighteen hundreds by aggrieved writer Mary Shelley, the novel Frankenstein presents readers with a Romanticist perspective of technology ‘dehumanizing’ mankind as society was not made clear of their indistinct boundaries. Through Victor’s regression, “I, the true murderer, felt the never dying worm alive in my bosom”, the symbols of the ‘worm’ explore the downfall in
Frankenstein was being written in a time when philosophers and writers such as Rousseau and John Locke where developing their ideas on the human condition. Rousseau’s Theory of Natural Human, which acknowledged that morality was not a societal construct but rather “natural” and “innate”, is questioned throughout the novel. Shelley examines the effect of society and knowledge on the innate goodness of the Creature, suggesting that he has become the monster that Victor sees him as because of the unwillingness of his creator to accept him and nurture him. The idea that humans’ innate goodness is tainted and polluted by society is present when the Creature expresses that his “sorrow only increased with knowledge” and this “increase of knowledge only discovered to [him] more clearly what wretched outcast [he] was”. The relationship between Frankenstein and the Creature is also paralleled with that of Lucifer and God and this is shown when the Creature, a symbol of humankind, acknowledges that “I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed”, suggesting that had it been nurtured/educated, it would have become an
In the novel Frankenstein we see Victor’s technological ambition turn into repulsion as the creation of the monster help him realize the magnitude of his mistakes. “The beauty of my dream vanished, breathless horror and disgust filled my heart”, this shows that Victor was blinded by his ambition and by giving up morality and using technology for his own selfish needs he was not able to foresee the inevitable horrid consequences. On the other hand in Blade Runner the ethical issues of science and technologies are not only portrayed through the creation of the replicants but also by the destruction of nature and its environments. During the beginning of the movie a camera shot from above shows a dark, industrialized city filled with fiery explosions while ominous music is played in the background, the image of the city and non-dijectic sounds portray and emphasise how society has lost sight of what really matters and no longer prioritize
Such violence is really only the cause of Roy’s pain, his emotions controlling his actions conflicts with our prejudice. Frankenstein's Monster's anguish comes from the rejection he feels from society “Am I to be thought the only criminal, when all human kind sinned against me?”. Posing this Rhetorical question highlights the Irony of how the monster while innocent has been judged just as the reader has. Influenced by her father Mary Shelley's story of a monster portrays the idea that to be human goes beyond that of the body. The Monsters vulgarity and the Replicants perfection does not define them their reaction and action and the ability to think morally and ethically makes them human.
Frankenstein upon creation reveals “now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.” This allows us to understand that victor in no way feels empathy or a sense of obligation towards it. This is unhuman like, instead of the natural mother figure nurturing her new born we see quite the opposite. Victor is consumed by an obsessive hatred of his creation, “I was possessed by maddening rage,” he explains. This is the turning point for the mentally human like creation. He quickly grows a negative view upon humanity.
Power & Dominance (Science and Technology) - over arching idea - everything isd linked back here and through that to the question creator and created - double-edged sword. Both Frankenstein and Blade Runner (800 words) the role of science and technology - Warning voice Context - shelley and scott portray their creators as hubristic figures who challenge the laws of nature and moral sensibilities of their time. while each of these characters alludes to promethean warnings regarding their acquisition of knowledge, there are a variety of aspects that differ and lend further dimensions of meaning........ tyrell lacks the benevolent aims for society where victor originally professes ...... unlike victor who only dreams of God like
Tyrell: Also extraordinary things, Revel in your time. The irresponsible nature evident in Tyrell through his mere experiments and goals of prosperity was used as a caution to the audience of the time as these were highly sought after objectives of the time and were deemed hazardous by Scott. Parallels can be drawn in both Frankenstein and Blade Runner , If new life can be created through advancements and discoveries as such, how is one human or not. This theme is recurringly penetratingly enquired in Shelley’s Frankenstein. The monster is physically appalling but experiences human feelings.
It was given life and this in itself is already a major gift from Victor, but then going ahead and asking for a partner is absolutely arrogant and unethical. “My companion must be of the same species and have the same defects. This being you must create” (133) is what the creature said to Victor. The monster speaks to Victor as if it is entitled to have a partner; with arrogance. The monster acts with extreme selfishness and from that comes unethical behaviour and actions.
However, Blade runner has very limited amounts of nature and shows a industrialized and scientifically advanced society thus the distinctive differences between Frankenstein and blade runner reveal more about the connections between them. Fears in society will always alter as time progresses however. This idea is further exemplified through the symbolism of Tyrell’s oversized glasses. The fear that humanity is blind toward the danger of the ultimate extinction of any form of nature is expressed in Shelley’s novel thus blade runner mimics the fear and effectively becomes a warning toward this issue. Hence forth, both texts effectively delve into the negative connotations that could come of the obsessive pursuit of
Freud argues on behalf of the monster because he interprets Victor's refusal to let the monster have a companion as a part of being mildly content. Victor convinces the real monster that he's going to build this new "companion" for him yet decides not to after considering reasoned ramifications at the costs of the lives of others he loves. Freud argues, "When any situation that is desired by the pleasure principle is prolonged, it only produces a feeling of mild contentment" (Freud 25). Victor is a monster in that he let's his own family die at the hands of the monster in order to make himself not look foolish after refusing to build the monster a woman-monster and to content himself with what is just in his eyes. Victor even travels for some time with his friend Clerval, ignoring his promised task to the monster in order to avoid further suffering.