Use of Allusion and Symbolism in Edward Scissorhands
Nothing just happens in film. Directors all make certain choices in
production in order to invite a particular response from the audience.
The film, Edward Scissorhands is based around the introduction of a
social outcast into a community and his attempts at acceptance.
Although at first he is accepted whole heartedly and somewhat
smothered, he later learns that despite how human he is, he cannot
co-exist in the same world due to his differences. 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. Edward Scissorhands
is especially reminiscent of the themes and concepts from Mary
Shelley’s Frankenstein which is also based around the isolation,
introduction and persecution...
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...arden also is an important symbol in the film as it
also illustrates a dramatic contrast to the suburbia’s bare, dull and
uniform gardens and emphasises society’s need to conform.
In conclusion, by using the production elements of both allusion and
symbolism; director Tim Burton has created the film in such a manner
by making deliberate choices in order to invite a certain response.
The film is constructed and given greater depth through the allusion
to elements from other genres and ridicules the suburbia’s materialism
and lack of imagination, which in turn enhances the invited response.
In addition to this, underlying themes especially those of
individualism are conveyed through the use of symbolism to emphasise
that society is uniform, prejudiced towards individuals who do not
conform but also rejecting of change.
Throughout literature and novels we can find authors who will reference history, other authors works and most often the Bible. One may ask themselves the reasoning behind allusions and how it can affect our perspective and the authors meaning when reading the novel. In the late sixties, Julia Kristeve, who studied the elements of literature and other communication systems, introduced the word “Intertextuality”. In Kristave’s essay “Word, Dialogue, and Novel” she went into deep analysis of an authors work and its text, “A literary work, then, is not simply the product of a single author, but of its relationship to other texts and to the strucutures of language itself. Any text," she argues, "is constructed of a mosaic of quotations; any text
In the novel Fahrenheit 451 there are many literary topics. One of the main parts of this book is symbolism it uses this to some of the most gratifying results; it does this through the way that it uses the representation of blood and how it reflects a humans soul, also when the author uses fire as a key symbol for many different points as well as using a phoenix to describe mankind towards the end of the novel which has a great effect on how mankind can be adaptable. All of these symbols work together in the novel to help bring more of the characters to life and to give a deeper meaning to the novel, as well as to make the
What is considered evil? Is a person truly ever evil? If so, what leads into walking down this path? Could it possibly be a life-alternating event or influence from another outside force? Anti-transcendentalists believed in this presence of evil in humanity and that it was predominant in the lives of individuals. Anti-transcendentalists were the opposite of transcendentalists in terms of their overall views on life. Transcendentalists believed in the good or in other words, positive outlooks in life. Dark Romantics as anti-transcendentalists were sometimes referred to as being extremely popular during the mid-1800’s. This saw the rise of many prominent anti-transcendentalist’s writers, not just in America but abroad. Dark Romantics used symbolism in their literary works to show the prevalence of evil in society contrary to transcendentalist’s beliefs.
The repercussions of treating sentient life as monsters or miscreation’s is disastrous. When non-human conscious life is created it is easier to treat these creations as outsiders rather than accepting them. There are two stories that show this clearly. The novel Frankenstein or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelly and the film Ex Machina by Alex Garland. When self-conscious life is created it must be treated as such.
An example of juxtaposition in Edward Scissorhands was the dark, evil mansion and the colorful neighborhood. Another is Kim’s white dress and Ed’s Black outfit. Jim was the opposite of Ed because he was evil and cunning and Ed is nice and innocent. All these examples show how Tim Burton used Juxtaposition to show the differences of people and
"I'd rather you shoot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want , if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." This is what Atticus Finch tells his children after they are given air-rifles for Christmas. Uniquely, the title of the classic novel by Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird, was taken from this passage. At first glance, one may wonder why Harper Lee decided to name her book after what seems to be a rather insignificant excerpt. After careful study, however, one begins to see that this is just another example of symbolism in the novel. Harper Lee uses symbolism rather extensively throughout this story, and much of it refers to the problems of racism in the South during the early twentieth century. Harper Lee's effective use of racial symbolism can be seen by studying various examples from the book. This includes the actions of the children, the racist whites, and the actions of Atticus Finch.
In every single novel, the importance of the symbolism is probably as important as the language the novel is written in. Author uses symbolism to create memorable scenes that have a hidden meaning behind their original face value. Symbolism especially plays a huge role in the novel by Albert Camus, ”the Outsider” , where author’s examples imply various emotional short-cuts and serve as a helper to understand the inner world of the main character – Meursault. This is a thought-provoking novel, which brilliantly illustrated Albert Camus’s theme of absurdity. One interesting aspect about “The stranger” is the protagonist, where in his life there are no certain meanings and motives for his actions and his life overall. The absurdity of the protagonist has no rational explanation. Each of the many actions by Meursault have huge influence on the description of the indifference of the world, where symbolism used by the protagonist underlines the human’s dignity and unimportance of the world. In the provocative novel “The stranger” by Albert Camus uses symbolism such as the crucifix, th...
In Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Jonathan Edwards created the emotion of fear by using imagery and figurative language to persuade his audience. He used imagery and figurative language so the wrath of God is more fearsome and gave you a mental picture of hell in your head.
Mary Shelley uses irony in the development of Frankenstein and the creature in order to create more dynamic and complex characters who are foils of one another.
A.S. Byatt uses symbolism in her story “The Thing in the Forest” to show how children in England during World War II, like herself, felt and reacted to the events that they knew where bad but didn’t understand. This can easily be shown through the sequencing of the plot, the deeper meanings behind characters and places, and the post effects it had the main characters.
because the author is saying that you need to repent and ask for forgiveness to
Light, especially fire, and darkness are significantly reoccurring themes in Fahrenheit 451. Guy Montag, the main character, is a fireman, but in this futuristic world the job description of a fireman is to start fires wherever books are found; instead of putting them out. Montag takes a journey from a literary darkness to a knowledgeable light. This journey can be compared to the short story Allegory of the Cave by Plato, in which a prisoner experiences a similar journey. An example of light, in reference to knowledge, occurs just after Montag meets Clarisse for the first time. "When they reached her house all its lights were blazing" (9). Since Montag had rarely seen that many house lights on, I interpreted those lines as saying "that house is full of knowledge and enlightenment; not like the rest of the houses around here which are always dark." Clarisse went on to explain to Montag that her mother, father, and uncle were just sitting around and talking. This was also something that wasn't very commonplace in the city. Fire is an important element of symbolism in Fahrenheit 451. Fire consumes minds, spirits, men, ideas, and books. Fire plays two very different roles in this book. The role of a destructive, devouring, and life ending force, and the role of a nourishing flame.
The Stranger, by Albert Camus, depicts a man who is going through life with an existential viewpoint on things that he does. The protagonist, Meursault, insists on going through life as if nothing in his life matters at all, and the point of his existence continues to escape him on many different levels. Through the death of his mother; the relationship with Maria, and the killing of an Arab; Meursault still finds that the meaning of his life escapes him. While many people believe that Camus uses symbolism with the weather and various other devices, I believe he uses a different approach. In The Stranger, Camus shows through symbolism that the true meaning of life is found when facing one’s own death.
“Allure, Authority, and Psychoanalysis” discusses the unconscious wishes, effects, conflicts, anxieties, and fantasies within “Frankenstein.” The absence of strong female characters in “Frankenstein” suggests the idea of Victor’s desire to create life without the female. This desire possibly stems from Victor’s attempt to compensate for the lack of a penis or, similarly, from the fear of female sexuality. Victor’s strong desire for maternal love is transferred to Elizabeth, the orphan taken into the Frankenstein family. This idea is then reincarnated in the form of a monster which leads to the conclusion that Mary Shelley felt like an abandoned child who is reflected in the rage of the monster.
By definition depression is the state if being sad or feelings of hopelessness and in adequacy. Depression is a major role in this writing and accompanies many characters throughout the book. The monster is a main victim of depression throughout the book because of lonesomeness and because he is tile that he is hideous many times. People would run away from the monster in feet that they would be killed or threatened and this would sadden and enrage the monster. Elizabeth is saddened for most of the book as well because Victor is at Ingolstadt for most of the book until word of William's death and Victor's father becoming sickly. Victor is also affected by depression and feels that he is responsible for the death of William and Justine.