Edward Scissorhands Conformity

A Tale of Conformity and Individuality
Edward Scissorhands is a film written and directed by Tim Burton and Caroline Thompson. It tells the story of an outsider with scissors for hands trying to fit in to an unknown society that judges based on appearance. The film explains how in most societies if you do not act the norm as everyone else you will be rejected and frond upon. I believe that like in the film people nowadays people are less likely to express individuality and would rather conform to a group than feel like an outcast. Through the films elements that the director uses I will focus on the colors, costumes and sound of the film that show the differences of an outsider.
The use of colors and camera shots are not only used to support the dominant discourse, but also to make a clear view of Edward’s difference to the society. The director uses camera shots and angles from the castle window where Edward lives to show how all of houses look the same and insignificant. Uses of color such as the repetition of all houses being in all a pastel color encourage the viewers of the conformity of the town. Also, the bright pastel colors of suburbia and dark and gloomy image of the gothic castle show how awkward an individual like Edward can be seen in such town.

There are drastic differences in what Edward wears and looks like and what the towns people wear and look like. The towns people are dressed in a 1950’s style. This makes them look very simplistic in their ways. The women’s clothes are very bright and colorful, and most of the men are dressed in work clothes or casual clothes, suggesting normality. Edwards look is completely different, he is dressed in dark and dreary clothes. His clothes are all black, and have buckles on them which gives it a very gothic look to him. The differences in costume looks are used to show how a group of individuals see an outsider