Frankenstein and Bladerunner Comparison
Bibliography 1. Comparison of Blade Runner and Frankenstein http://nebolit.com/film/Blade%20Runner/Comparison-Blade-Runner-and-Frankenstein.html (Accessed 6/3/2012)
Synopsis
Blade Runner is a science fiction film portrayed as a dystopia and Frankenstein a Gothic Novel that was inspired by a vision during a dream. Both texts have a strong focus on nature and the natural and in both texts humans lose control over their man-made creations.
Blade Runner and Frankenstein were composed at a time when society was questioning its humanity, or lack thereof, due to the technological advances of the time. Nature was soon realized to be fragile and vulnerable rather than resilient when natural rhythms were destroyed by ever increasing technology. In Shelley’s time science was working to improve on nature while some societies were fighting to hold onto the personal and emotional attributes which makes us truly human. These issues are clearly depicted within Frankenstein. ‘Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.’ (Page 101)
In Blade Runner the bleak vision portrayed illustrates a chaotic nuclear holocaust, ecological fragility through soil depletion and acid rain. Man has not only subdued the earth but also conquered and utterly defeated it. The sixties and seventies were a time of great social, cultural and historical changes that also led to questions about man’s decreasing humanity. Both texts are cautionary tales warning about the threat to humanity posed by science. Technological advances all contribute to humanity moving away from the natural rhythms of life and from what it means to be a human being.
2. A Review of Readings on Frankenstein
Author: Lyle Penner
http://watershedonline.ca/literature/frankenstein/readingsonfrankenstein.html
Synopsis
Blade Runner is a science fiction film portrayed as a dystopia and Frankenstein a Gothic Novel that was inspired by a vision during a dream. Both texts have a strong focus on nature and the natural and in both texts humans lose control over their man-made creations.
Blade Runner and Frankenstein were composed at a time when society was questioning its humanity, or lack thereof, due to the technological advances of the time. Nature was soon realized to be fragile and vulnerable rather than resilient when natural rhythms were destroyed by ever increasing technology. In Shelley’s time science was working to improve on nature while some societies were fighting to hold onto the personal and emotional attributes which makes us truly human. These issues are clearly depicted within Frankenstein. ‘Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.’ (Page 101)
In Blade Runner the bleak vision portrayed illustrates a chaotic nuclear holocaust, ecological fragility through soil depletion and acid rain. Man has not only subdued the earth but also conquered and utterly defeated it. The sixties and seventies were a time of great social, cultural and historical changes that also led to questions about man’s decreasing humanity. Both texts are cautionary tales warning about the threat to humanity posed by science. Technological advances all contribute to humanity moving away from the natural rhythms of life and from what it means to be a human being.
2. A Review of Readings on Frankenstein
Author: Lyle Penner
http://watershedonline.ca/literature/frankenstein/readingsonfrankenstein.html
Bibliography: (Accessed 6/3/2012) Synopsis http://watershedonline.ca/literature/frankenstein/readingsonfrankenstein.html (Accessed 6/3/2012) http://brinsight.com/2002/10/02/argumentation-on-the-essence-of-humanity/ (Accessed 7/3/2012)