Comparing Frankenstein And Ridley Scott's Blade Runner

1158 Words3 Pages

.Despite being products of two completely different time periods, Ridley Scott's film Blade Runner: The director's cut (1992) and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1818) display clear parallels in content. Both works are products of their time however they acknowledge similar issues including: the change in values of humanity, the dangers of man playing God and the potential consequences of science on humanity. Being products of their time the aforementioned texts capture the political, historical and social milieu and landscape of the time. The use of different textual form in that of film and an epistolary gothic novel are ways in which the similarities are further enhanced by differences. Theodore Sturgeon once stated that 'a good science …show more content…

Shelley uses her context, in particular the 1800's industrialisation era throughout her novella. Shelley exemplifies the Rousseauian notion of humanity throughout Frankenstein which is essentially that humanity is born to feel ecstasy and lowest dejection. Rousseau's idea is a key factor in Gothicism and Romanticism highly prominent in Shelley's era. Man's connection with nature and the effects that industrialisation will have are commented throughout the text. With utilisation of her textual form, Shelley details the 'nurturing' of the monster through reference of two distinct texts 'Paradise Lost' and 'Sorrows of Wurther' and implies that the monster received the ideal education in the traditional sense, It was taught to love, to be morally correct and +to acknowledge nature. Shelley however satirically comments by stating 'all that is worthy of love and admiration is devoted to misery'. This juxtaposition is a warning to the rapidly industrialising society in that if they continue on this path order will be destroyed. The monster itself comments 'Polluted by crimes and torn by the bitterest remorse, where can I find rest but in death?'. This exemplifies the idea that it was not created to be evil, rather corrupted by humanity to be evil due to their inhumane treatment of him. An analysis of Shelley's textual form …show more content…

Scott was greatly influenced by a highly technological world in which sci-fi film was growing in prevalence. The replicants who are claimed to be 'more human than human' are perverted by their dystopic and supposedly utopic world. Their quest to achieve humanity turns to murder much like the monster within Frankenstein. Within the 1980's in which there was a rampant spread of commercialism and reaginism aided by globalisation, societal values were dictated by profit margins and efficiency rather than human rights. Scott effectively uses his filmic representation through the character Priss. She is metallic and robotic in nature and is portrayed as simply an object for satisfaction. In the scene of her death, the diegetic screams utilise filmic form in an expression of despair. Priss's inability to attain humanity is her ultimate downfall, much like the monster. Although the medium in which the message is portrayed differs to Shelley, the parallel is evident in that science and the changing values of humanity can be detrimental. The character of Roy saves the life of Deckard to redeem himself much like how the monster sacrifices himself through self-immolation. Despite not having emotions, Roy shows mercy. A close-up as he sheds tears and states '' all these memories will be lost...like tears in the rain' warns the audience

Open Document