Blade Runner and Frankenstein
Mary Shelley’s gothic novel Frankenstein, first published in 1816, and Ridley Scott’s science fiction film, Blade Runner, released in 1992, share common themes and ideas as well as similar warnings based on the time period. Despite being produced nearly 200 years apart, both texts reflect upon the values of their times as well as raising concerns that are timeless. Both Frankenstein and Blade runner explore the implications of Science and technology, the relationships between the creator and creation and they also explore the notions of monstrosity and humanity.
Science and technology is a common concern shared in both Frankenstein and Blade Runner. As Shelly grew up in an intellectual, educated and scientific household, aware of contemporary experiments about the imitation and creation of life i.e. Galvanism and the experiments with the frogs. “He believed in natural philosophy.” She was able to have Victor study the works of Cornelius Agrippa, which is a mixture of the supernatural and science. These are melded with contemporary natural philosophy and a leap of knowledge that brings Victor to the point where he can re-animate ‘dead matter’, showing a mixture of medieval alchemy and modern science. This Novel Questions the scientific processes to uncover mysteries of the time and criticises the uncontrolled scientific experiments and the horrors of Vivisection “ I dabbled among the unhallowed damps of the grave, or tortured the living animal to animate the lifeless clay.” Sexual language is demonstrated, showing how nature is generalised, “They penetrate into the recesses of nature, and show how she works in her hiding places.” Similar to Victor, Walton wants to uncover and discover the unknown and is willing to sacrifice his life and the life of others. Mary Shelly explores how Science and technology influenced people of her time and tries to warn the audience of what could happen if science and technology isn’t morally controlled.
By the time Blade
Science and technology is a common concern shared in both Frankenstein and Blade Runner. As Shelly grew up in an intellectual, educated and scientific household, aware of contemporary experiments about the imitation and creation of life i.e. Galvanism and the experiments with the frogs. “He believed in natural philosophy.” She was able to have Victor study the works of Cornelius Agrippa, which is a mixture of the supernatural and science. These are melded with contemporary natural philosophy and a leap of knowledge that brings Victor to the point where he can re-animate ‘dead matter’, showing a mixture of medieval alchemy and modern science. This Novel Questions the scientific processes to uncover mysteries of the time and criticises the uncontrolled scientific experiments and the horrors of Vivisection “ I dabbled among the unhallowed damps of the grave, or tortured the living animal to animate the lifeless clay.” Sexual language is demonstrated, showing how nature is generalised, “They penetrate into the recesses of nature, and show how she works in her hiding places.” Similar to Victor, Walton wants to uncover and discover the unknown and is willing to sacrifice his life and the life of others. Mary Shelly explores how Science and technology influenced people of her time and tries to warn the audience of what could happen if science and technology isn’t morally controlled.
By the time Blade