Since the communist era, the concept of conformity has been tested on humans thinking it would bring a sort of comfort. These regimes rapidly crumbled due to their often authoritarian nature. Following these dictatorships, we often associate conformity with misery. Similarly, in Edward Scissorhands, through the characterization of Peg Boggs, the symbolism of Edward’s castle home and the change in Edward’s behaviour, director Tim Burton rejects conformity since it leads to fakeness, boredom, and corruption and, instead, promotes the benefits of authenticity and old habits.
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,
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a sameness that the author criticizes for its dysfunction. To illustrate the dysfunctional society these characters live in, Peg Boggs, as well as the other inhabitants make money their only worry to meet their consumerist urges.
Her career consisting of selling Avon products aptly exemplifies this singular focus. Moreover, while selling these goods, she does not represent herself but the brand: “Avon Calling” (Edward Scissorhands); representing a brand instead of herself as a person proves the extremity of these social orders in an individualistic society. Again, her capitalistic values surface with the name of her husband, Bill, who represents money and the family’s breadwinner. With money, the materialistic members of this representative town buy objects to conform to the norm. Such as Peg whose choice of headwear reflects her compliance. Specifically, Peg frequently wears a pillbox hat to follow the Jackie Kennedy trend to fit in with everyone else. Therefore, she promotes the lack of authenticity and conformity in the town, since it is the only way she knows that brings her comfort as reflected by her desire stated near the end of the film for everything to “go back to normal” (Edward Scissorhands). Conversely, she brings in Edward into the town; …show more content…
representing authenticity due to his hands that are replaced by scissors. All of her neighbours have the same opinion about him and are excited to see something different to entertain their boring lives. However, after a few days, the townspeople including Peg starts to despise Edward for not following along such as not going along with Joyce’s sexual overture. Thus, Burton uses Peg Boggs to generalize for the rest of the town. This generalization insinuates conformity between the entire town’s people. Whether Burton decided to describe Peg or Joyce, it would have the same effect In the same way, Burton also uses Edward’s castle home to project his opinion on conformity and authenticity. The castle is gothic with towers which imply its uniqueness. Usually, contrary to houses, all castles are different. Even with the dark appearance of the gloomy castle, it is symbolically watching over the tiny town below (Newell). The looming we have the impression the castle does figuratively refers to the old generation looking over the new one; the old being unique and authentic and the new being conformist. The symbolic meaning of looking over further illustrates the contrast between the two generations since old habits were shaped to make authenticity surface while the new habits promote conformity and individualistic values. Moreover, the castle is gated which implies the fact that the town does not want the castle’s old values including authenticity. The castle, including the gate, represents despair to the townspeople. However, inside these gates lies the antithesis of despair: “Inside [the] gate is a garden with beautiful, verdant manicured lawns and flowers […]” (Newell). The beautiful surroundings of the courtyard further emphasizes that authenticity is beautiful and should be part of the townspeople’s lives in comparison with their fake, uninteresting and boring lifestyles. Using the example of the castle, the author promotes the “Good old days” and highlights the importance of remaining authentic no matter what habits society enforce. On the other hand, the town is trying to convert Edward to their ways and habits which has very negative impacts on his behaviour.
For instance, at the start, Edward enjoys helping others, is nice, gullible and very polite. However, he does not fit in the individualistic town. The townspeople, being egotistical, take advantage of the vulnerable Edward. He is therefore forced against his will to do chores around the town. These tasks include garden sculptures, hairstyles, dog hairstyles, and so on; all of which are fake. The town likes fake ways to promote their conformal lifestyles and to try to differentiate themselves from their neighbour. Meanwhile, the town’s values corrupt Edward and his behaviour drastically changes. His authenticity cannot be accepted by the townspeople: “Furthermore, his work - the garden sculptures, hairstyles and so forth - indicate that he's a highly imaginative... uh... character. It seems clear that his awareness of what we call reality is radically underdeveloped” (Edward Scissorhands). He is considered as a mere character and not a person since he is not like the typical town “person”. Additionally, his authentic personality is categorized as “radically underdeveloped”. The categorization shows at what point the town cannot stand authenticity and takes comfort in its conformity. In contrast, while all the townspeople turn against Edward, Kim’s character evolves into loving the authenticity Edward portrays. The white clothes she starts
wearing symbolise purity and detachment from the town’s areligious values. These values start corrupting Edward’s behaviour greatly. He eventually becomes a killer by murdering Jim. Another instance of kindness is in the end, while the whole town is chasing him, only the police officer, who is part of the town’s Black minority, is nice with Edward. The kindness Officer Allen has within him suggests that only the authentic townspeople, who are very few, are altruistic. In other words, Burton rejects the conformity the town depicts saying it corrupts the kind hearted into becoming dreadful killers and only the authentic people have a compassionate opinion on things.
Sometimes the way people act around you isn’t the way they act around other people. A good example of this is Shirley Jackson’s, “The Possibility of Evil”. The main character, Miss Strangeworth, isn’t as nice as she may seem. Miss Strangeworth’s character can be analyzed by considering what she does, what the narrator says about her, and how other characters interact with her.
Each character, in some capacity, is learning something new about themselves. Whether it be new views, new feelings, newfound confidence, or a new realization of past events, each character involved in the play realizes something view-altering by the end of the play. Bonny is realizing that she is growing up and discovering how to deal with boys, and to lie to her parents; Elsie realizes that she doesn’t need her father for everything, and eventually overcomes her fear of driving on her own; Grace is discovering that she must let her children think for themselves at times, and that she must let Charlie choose what he wants to do; and Charlie, of course, is discovering that there are more ways to think than the status quo that society presents. Each character obviously goes through very different struggles throughout the play, but in the end, they all result in realizing something about themselves they didn’t at the beginning of the
As Nathaniel Brandon once said “…first step towards change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.” In Edward Scissorhands directed by Tim Burton, the society are all very aware of Edward’s differences but they are reluctant to change their views and fully accept him.The film reveals how Edward is isolated because he is different and how society selfishly exploits the unique talents of Edward and then when their feelings change and they regard him as dangerous, they reject him. However the Bogg family provide a sense of belonging and acceptance for Edward. Edward Scissorhands makes important comments about society’s inhumane treatment of people who differ from the norm, ignoring that all people deserve to be treated equally and with respect.
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.
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'.
Lighting and color are used to prove the distinction between individuals. In Edward Scissorhands, low key lighting was used to show the illusion of Edward being in isolation. Through this isolation, Edward did not know his place in society. Isolation created Edward to be displayed as a misfit compared to the rest of society. Burton conveys the fact Edward is a misfit by creating a sense of eeriness which shows he is darker coloring while the rest of society seems brighter. To try to fit into society, Edward tried to satisfy everyone’s desires. However through this trial, he could not help but being himself even if that caused society to frown upon him. Even though society frowned
What is the deciding factor in determining what is sane: what is natural, or what is socially acceptable? In Ken Kesey’s novel One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and later the movie the novel inspired, this conflict is ever present in its Oregon setting of a psychiatric hospital. Throughout the novel, characters with minor quirks and disabilities are shamed and manipulated by the tyrannical Nurse Ratched in an attempt to make them “normal”—that is, conforming to her rigid standards. In fact, the only time these characters overcome their personal challenges is when they are emboldened by the confidence of an outsider, McMurphy, who encourages embracing natural instincts and rejecting conformity. In one particularly apt scene, McMurphy’s recounting
...elings and portrays them through the main character Elphalba. It is as if he is taking a part of himself, the part filled with rage and frustration, and building the character Elphalba with it. She is the feminine, yet somewhat masculine, part of him revealing itself through the book.
“Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.” These are the words of, once president of the United States, John Francis Kennedy. He relays a message of strength and a lecture on what it means to perform one’s duty as a member of a modern, accepting society. Likewise, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein exploits one of mankind's most persistent and destructive flaws that has never died down over the thousands of years of our existence, prejudice. From his very beginning, the creature was abandoned and left to question his very existence. Nearly every character in the novel assumes that the monster must be dangerous based on its outward appearance, when in truth the monster is essentially warm and open-hearted. Continuously the monster
One way Burton establishes this theme is by using misfit characters in his films. In Alice in Wonderland, Alice is an outcast compared to the people around her. At one point, Alice’s mother is disappointed that Alice did not wear “proper” attire to a party, and, when Alice defiantly asks her if she would wear a codfish on her head if it was
...d traditions, but also blending two distant genres together. The blending of genres gives us ideas about common conventions in films that we do not usually pay attention to, and how they can be manipulated to change the way we think about individuals and groups. Edward Scissorhands dives deeper than just a “Beauty and the Beast” narrative, and influences audiences to explore topics of how the gentlest of souls can be misjudged by their appearance, a seemingly normal community can be the “bad guy” if it only has its personal intentions in mind and no one else’s, and that true love is not about what is on the outside, but rather, what is on the inside. Edward Scissorhands can be considered as one of the most appealing films of the 20th century as it keeps audiences guessing, surprises them at the most unexpected times and breaks conventional film boundaries.
...As we are examining the people on the screen, we are viewing ourselves. Burton produces a “perfect” figure of Edward who is kind, caring, and signifies the most striking feelings of individuals. In addition, his evil appearance exists only because humanity says that he is unusual. Burton wants us, as the audience, to be conscious of ourselves as a part of the social order, and to cautiously consider the realism we decide to accept as true and exist in.
In the novel One flew over the cuckoo's nest by, Ken Kesey.Kesey's character Randle McMurphy,is a character who struggles adhering to rules.Whereas Kesey’s nurse Ratched is one who thrives off making other adhere to the social structures of the ward.Having both of them on the ward causes a cat and dog relationship there's an equal amount of hatred.Nurse ratched hates McMurphy because of his erratic behavior.This poses the question,the conflict between pursuing a personal desire and choosing to conform.Based on the text the idea that is presented is that yes pursional desire is more motivating than conforming.Nurse Ratched's desire is to maintain her control and assert her authority over the men of the ward.Where as McMurphy wants nothing
When hearing the phrase “Ordinary Men” many will think of the teachers, factory workers, and store clerks who live a modest lifestyle. The kind of people who wouldn't be suspected to be cold blooded killers. In Christopher R. Browning’s, Ordinary Men, we find out that these kind of people are capable of being just that, cold blooded killers. Browning poses the question, are these men who carried out thousands of killings throughout WWII simply ordinary? With the combination of obedience, conformity, and segmentation and routinization of tasks these ordinary men were turned into killers.
The film Edward Scissorhands shows how society rejects people who are different. This film directed by Tim Burton is about a boy named Edward who lives in an empty mansion. The film shows a community that is quick to judge but slow to distinguish the qualities of Edward. The people in the community are selfish and expect to receive from Edward without giving but regardless of this there are still some who love and care for him. By viewing this film the audience recognises how important it is to give someone a chance to prove themselves before judging them.