The gothic fairy-tale Edward Scissorhands by Tim burton (1991) engages the viewer with a story about Edward, a creative young man, an unknown outsider living in a castle above a picture perfect suburb. When Edward is brought into the town he is initially very curious but is hastily rejected and regarded as a misfit. Society has judged Edward based on his appearance because they felt threated by the fact that he was different because everyone in the community was alike. Edward isn’t accepted by the society when he doesn’t conform to the rules and expectations they have of him. He was not accepted also due to the fact that he is different to everyone else. The film explores significant ideas such as our need to feel loved and appreciated by …show more content…
In the last few scenes of the film, Edward had returned back to the Boggs household where he sees Peg. When Edward moves toward the window peg realises how much pain and anguish he went through just because he wanted to fit in and be accepted by her and the community. This scene is one of the best moments in cinematic history, when Kim asks Edward to hold her he replies “I can’t”. This scene is very iconic because it not only restores the audiences faith in love but it shows how they are both outcasts but in two very different ways as Edward is not accepted based on his appearance whereas Kim on the other hand is accepted because of her appearance but does not feel as though she belongs since Edward has shown her what it’s like to be a different, to be an individual. This is achieved with the contrasting colours of Kim’s white dress against Edwards black suit. After Edward had come back from jail after breaking into Jim’s house, Peg had asked him “They didn't hurt you, did they? Were you scared? I tried to make Jim go back, but you can't make Jim do anything. Thank you for not telling them about me. It must have been awful when they told you whose house it was.” Edward had replied “I knew it was Jim’s house. “Then why did you do it?” “Because you asked me too”. This scene shows how much Edward cared for Kim and how much he loved her that he would throw away the trust that he had gained from the community just to make her happy. Love can make you do stupid
Individuality is rejection, whether it be a rejection of society or a rejection by society. Burton explores the consequences that can derive from rejection and how appearances may differ from reality. The work of Tim Burton consists of a unique style unlike any other. Not only do his films convey his ideas of individuality to the audience, it is done in a distinctive Burton way. Burton’s style of the formal elements of German Expressionism, gothic horror, and unique characters allow him to convey his ideas. His views of individuality are evident through the work of his film 'Edward Scissorhands' and short film 'Vincent'.
When you first open your eyes, take your first steps, or when you say your first words, these first encounters with the world were most likely observed or you were helped by another person. In the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelly the creature learns a lot about the world from the cottagers. The creature spends his first few months learning by himself but once he found the cottagers, he learned more than the basics of the world. The creature has conflicted feeling towards the cottagers because he thought of them as his “protectors” the one who taught him the ways of the world, but is afraid to show himself to them because he is afraid that they will not accept him due to the way he looked.
People are constantly being judged and pressured to change to fit society’s standards. In Tim Burton films, there is always one character that does not fit the mold. These outcast characters in the movies Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and Edward Scissorhands are strange and isolated from the world. Despite the outcast’s difficulties, misfit characters like Edward and Wonka go on to be the hero of the story. Therefore, Burton uses many different cinematic techniques to illustrate that one does not need to conform to society in order to have a happy and successful life.
By depicting Peg Boggs as the typical inhabitant of a conformist society, Burton generalizes her characteristics to the entire city, since everyone is essentially the same,
Using the production elements of symbolism; especially hands themselves, and the use of allusion to elements from other genres; particularly those from fairytale and gothic romance/horror films, Tim Burton has directed the film in such a manner to illustrate, emphasise and ridicule the materialism and lack of imagination of society. The film however, is prominently a satire which has certain elements from fairytale, comedy and horror genres. Through the choices made by the director, the audience is invited to become aware of the inhumanity present in the way society functions, especially in its prejudiced treatment towards people who do not conform. The use of allusion in Edward Scissorhands is one of the most important choices in production that has been made by director Tim Burton. In order to fully appreciate and understand the plot, the movie is dependant on the audience being able to recognise certain references and elements emulated from other films.
In her novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley and the film Edward Scissorhands by Tim Burton their creations have a desire to be loved. Which leads them on a journey of acceptance for themselves and others. Everyone has felt the need to find why they are here on earth; we all search for answers we are no different from them.
Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein is about a creature born in an unaccepting world. Shelley's idea of Gothicism changed the subgenre of horror, due to its dark look into nature. It became an influence on Tim Burton's movie Edward Scissorhands, moved by the sadness of the creature trying to fit into society, he creates a monster of his own. Mary Shelley and Tim Burton use literary and cinematic elements to show that isolation from society can destroy your relationship with others.
Tim Burton’s films depict his lashing back from a tortured childhood. Somehow, his movies tell his story. His first big budget movie, Batman, was a huge hit. He then chose to make Edward Scissorhands, his most personal film. Despite the fact that Batman was a hit, movie executives were reluctant to give Burton authorization. His use of cinematic techniques displays his unique style.
Not a single individual is able to watch a Burton film without noticing the lighting effects and how it significantly contributes to the tone and mood of the entire film. In the movie Edward Scissorhands, one might be overwhelmed with the burst of extravagant colors in the scenery. Indeed this cinematic technique, high key, wholly influences the viewers perception and impression of the town. One can conclude that even though flamboyancy pervades the town, iniquity lurks in all directions and hypocrisy governs the minds of its inhabitants. Irony is harnessed in this film. How can an effulgent town harbor wickedness and Edward with a chilling and gothic complexion radiate innocence and righteousness? Burton uses these opposing conceptions brought about by the contrast of lighting to convey the message that materialism has been ingrained in the mentality of society (at least in the neighborhood in which Burton lived in the past), thus yearning for th...
While Bram Stoker’s Dracula has been described as the “quintessence of evil creatures we meet in our everyday lives” and “the Darkness” in the hearts of men (Herbert, 2004, pp. 62), Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight
The Bogg’s family have accepted Edward scissorhand’s into their family and have made him feel loved. When Edward was first introduced to bill he ignored the fact that he is different and tries to make small talk. When Kim first sees Edward she is horrified and overwhelmed but in the end falls for Edward and ends up loving him. When Edward enters the restaurant to meet the Bogg’s family, they all scotch over to make room for him and ask him how his day was, this shows to the audience that he has been ‘adopted’ into the family and they care for him. When Edward was in jail Peg and Bill come to see him and are upset at what he has done but Peg blames it on herself, this gives the impression that Peg has taken the role of a motherly figure towards Edward. The Bogg’s family have shown that they care about him and see him as a part of their
In the book Gris Grimly's Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein develops a creature with his bare hands who in my opinion even though has a non-human look is, in fact, a human. The two main reasons why I feel this way is because of the human-like emotions he conveys and show. As well as being able to speak English in a clear manner and the ability to learn like a human being. However, before I explain these two reasons more in depth I would like to give a bit of background information, as to the things the creature has done throughout the book and why he was created. First of all, the reason the creature was created was for Victor to test if it was possible to bring the dead back to life in order to bring his mother back to life after her death.
Essay 2 Psychoanalysis is the method of psychological therapy originated by Sigmund Freud in which free association, dream interpretation, and analysis of resistance and transference are used to explore repressed or unconscious impulses, anxieties, and internal conflicts (“Psychoanalysis”). This transfers to analyzing writing in order to obtain a meaning behind the text. There are two types of people who read stories and articles. The first type attempts to understand the plot or topic while the second type reads to understand the meaning behind the text. Baldick is the second type who analyzes everything.
Edward, the android-like being portrayed in Tim Burton’s film Edward Scissorhands, is essentially killed off from society because he falls victim to the malicious lies spread by the community and by the hatred that is cultivated by those lies. Although he never physically dies, Edward’s rejection from society leads to a life-long seclusion away from the outside world. The events that lead Edward into this isolation are brought on by a few misunderstood acts that he commits and the negative reception of those acts by an impressionable community. He is caught committing a break-in (a felony that is not completely his fault yet nobody gives him the benefit of the doubt) and is, from then on, seen as a dangerous criminal. He is also deemed a sexual predator because a townswoman claims that he sexually assaulted her. Also, his attraction to and love for Kim (the Bogg family’s daughter) provokes her jealous and violent boyfriend into harming Edward and trying to turn Kim against him. Edward is never given the chance to explain himself of the accused acts and so he finds himself the target of the town’s hatred; a hatred that is based upon and fueled by jealousy, lies, and rumors. The eventual shunning of Edward by the community is not surprising or shocking because Edward never really fits in with society to begin with. However, what is shocking are the justifications of hatred that are used by the community. Their emotions and attitudes are influenced by the lies and jealousies of a few people and by believing in the religious motivations and accusations of the erratic Christian woman who lives in the neighborhood. By being non-human, Edward is immediately suspected of being guilty of all he is accused of. Hi...
Edward Scissorhands, written by Tim Burton, tells the tale of a young man who is lovable, childlike and sensitive, bewildered by the humanity around him, yet is terrifying- someone who has scissors, the deadly weaponry, for hands. Many viewers may read this film as a “Tim Burton” type of fairytale which includes both an alternative aspect and romance. However, through the presentation of mise-en-scene in this film, Burton drives in a much more serious subject of social criticism by establishing two different understandings of life in the movie.