Comparing Thematic Similarities Between Mary Shelley And Ridley Scott's 'Blade Runner'

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Who’s the real monster? Textural form help composers such as Mary Shelley and Ridley Scott express how similar ideas are approached differently, considering the changes in their context and targeted audiences. Are we who we think we are? Mary Shelley’s gothic novel, Frankenstein (FR), published in 1818 and Ridley Scott’s Si-Fi movie, Blade Runner (B.R.), directors cut, re-released in 1992, convey thematic similarities of “Discovery and advances towards science” and “What does it mean to be human” expressed concern F and B.R with over One Century differences. When analyzing both texts through an interior narrative we as the audience gain an understanding towards what the main characters are thinking and what input Shelley’s and Scott’s time is reflected in their characters.

Shelley’s novel FR and Ridley Scott’s movie BR explore similar thematic similarities while delivering a different value due to composers and audiences changing contexts to suit their times. However the form delivered either in a novel or visual, movie the themes and values are distinct within both texts.

1818 gothic novel, Frankenstein was written during the Post-Enlightenment era, early 19th century, which challenged traditional values of Religion furthermore, the advances in science and discovery arose to take place. Shelley has used Victor Frankenstein, a young enthusiast towards science and discovery to indicate the advances in science and discovery. Victor is on the search to discover the secrets of Heaven and Earth, “It is the secrets of Heaven and Earth that I desire to learn” within chapter 2 this quote is delivered, it symbolizes that Mary want’s Victor to challenge the values of Religion and advance his search in discovery. Shelley’s use of sci...

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...of images connected to memories is vital for the replicant’s and robots. Rachel, Tyrell’s robot provides a photo of her as a child by herself with her mother. This image connects her thoughts she’s “had” with her mother giving herself a close identity with her mother, however are they her memories or implants?

Between nearly two centuries’ apart Mary Shelley’s novel FR and Fridley Scott’s movie BR share similar thematic similarities such as Discovery and advances in science and what it means to be human? Similar ideas about Playing God and having an identity are portrayed in different ways from Shelley and Scott, appropriate to the modification in individual and audience context and visual forms of a novel and movie. Each text presents similar themes and values using different textural forms whilst presenting the real question of, what it means to be human?

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