Victor’s obsession with science and progress
Victor’s obsession with science and progress
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner are texts that explore the same underlying anxieties and values in humanity. Even though they are constructed nearly 200 years apart, the same feelings exist. At the time of composition, and, through their literary work, the authors examine their place in the world. With the proliferation of scientific technology, economic and sociological concerns, these texts reconsider and teach in their didactic styles about man’s preoccupation with advancement, without respecting nature.…
“Although composed in different times and contexts, Frankenstein and Blade Runner are strikingly similar in content and values”…
Shelly and Scott reflect, nature and the natural world in the texts they create, Frankenstein and Blade Runner using literary devices and societal context. In Blade Runner, Scott uses the aspects of the 20th century tradition of dystopias and film noir as literary devices. Throughout Shelly's work of Frankenstein, the romantic and sublime themes of the era are examined as literary devices. The appreciation for the natural wonder of the world is evident throughout Frankenstein when Shelly emphasises to the reader, the sweeping landscapes that are stark, barren and majestic, nature therefore is used as a literary device to simulate the readers sense of emotions, an example of this is when Victor walks through the Alps to relieve himself from…
Composed nearly 200 years apart with differing contexts, the Romanticist, Mary Shelly composed a gothic novel ‘Frankenstein’, in the Industrial Revolution era and the Age of Enlightenment which draws upon the rise of Galvanism. As well as the post modern, post apocalyptic film noir composed by Ridley Scott ‘Blade Runner’ reflects upon the increasing computing industry which changed the natural process of life. Hence, an analysis of both texts in light of their differing contexts reveal how Shelley and Scott warn us of the dire consequences of our desire for supremacy and unrestrained scientific progress, concepts which link the two texts through time.…
How has the context of each of the composers affected the representation of their respective worlds an the place of nature in these world?…
Although perspectives and values change with time, ideas and concepts can transcend. The gothic novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and the science fiction film Blade Runner directed by Ridley Scott although composed over one hundred years apart contain the same perennial concepts on the nature of humanity. This is portrayed through notions of dehumanization, monstrosity and redemption, of the “indistinguishable” creator and creature relationship. The romanticist Shelly wrote her gothic novel the enlightenment era which posed questions concerning the mystery of life and nature of humanity. Scott on the other hand composed in the post-industrial age, where technology and morality played a dominant role in society. The composers explore their contextual values while upholding transcendent concepts of humanity incorporating morality and creation though unique techniques in accordance…
* Prometheus represents on who has defied and challenged the natural order; one who has transgressed on forbidden territory. His actions are not couched in connotations of courage or heroism but recognised as reckless and without any thought to the possible consequences.…
Mary Shelley’s science fiction novel “Frankenstein” written in 1818 and “Bladerunner”, Ridley Scott’s 1982 cult classic film have nearly two hundred years separating them, yet they raise similar societal concerns.. Both raise the question of what it is to be human and explore the pursuit of eternal life which can be examined using the literary and cinematic techniques prevalent in the texts.…
The 1818 Gothic Novel 'Frankenstein' written by Mary Shelley and the 1982 science fiction film 'Blade Runner' by Ridley Scott both challenge the values of the societies in which they have been set, expressing the composers' critique of the advancement in science and technology, the consequences of irresponsible creation and the hubris of an individual to overcome nature's power. It is through these common themes that the texts have the ability to represent and evoke fear, anxiety and…
To what extent does your comparative study of Frankenstein and Blade Runner suggest that the relationship between science and nature is an important universal concern?…
Through a comparative study of Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein and Ridley Scott’s film Blade Runner it is possible to gain an understanding of the notion of what constitutes humanity. Despite bearing different contexts, the texts embody parallel values that reveal the fundamentals of human nature. Shelley uses elements of Gothic literature and Romanticism to highlight the value of moderation through Victor Frankenstein’s pursuit of knowledge and the resulting ramifications. Similarly, Scott’s film, set in 2019, reflects concerns of the late 20th Century and the consequences of emerging technological advancements and globalisation. In addition, Scott demonstrates Post Modern views of the nature of our existence in a world of rampant corporatism. Ultimately, both texts are shaped with the values of their respective contexts but each explore the dangers associated with the usurpation of God by man, emphasising the inexorable nature of humanity.…
Mary Shelley’s nineteenth century epistolary novel, Frankenstein (1818), and Ridley Scott’s late twentieth century post-modern film, Blade Runner (1992), bear striking similarities when studied as texts in time, as they both aim to warn humanity about attempting to usurp of the role of God in creating life. However, their respective contexts mean that the way in which they present notions about humanity differs. Shelley and Scott have extrapolated their various concerns born from their respective contexts regarding the confusion and anxiety that results when mankind pursues their knowledge without regard for their responsibilities. Shelley presents us with humanity’s flaws, which are evident in the way they have neglected what they have created. Scott portrays a futuristic world that has become horrifically debased and inhumane, as mankind has failed to maintain the natural order after overstepping scientific and technological boundaries. Both composers conceptually focus on the parental duties of creators toward their creation and the consequences of abandoning them. Through their different styles and techniques relative to their respective audience, each composer is extremely successful in presenting the changing values and attitudes respective of their eras.…
The idea of ‘disruption’ is explored within Blade Runner and Frankenstein through the interference of the natural environment due to scientific progress. Such a conflict between nature and science within Frankenstein, stems from the contextual backdrop of the 1800 Romanticism movement, a backlash against the age of Enlightenment and its rationality through scientific experimentation. In an attempt to warn her audience of the horrifying consequences of disrupting nature, Shelley utilises a Gothic-Romanticist style, and motifs such as the sublime and soothing nature versus monstrosity as shown in the lines, “the valley that is more wonderful than the sublime”, juxtaposed with the appearance of the monster as “yellow skinned, black eyed”. Whilst Victor warns Walton to, “avoid ambition...in science and discovery”, his character development, alluded to as the ‘ancient mariner’, whose hubris of overreaching the boundaries leading to his downfall is contrasted against his perfect childhood, again reiterating Shelley’s warnings about the consequences of disrupting nature. Likewise Scott…
The two texts ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Blade Runner’ both embody themes of science, creation and nature that are reflected in the author’s life and what was happening in the world around them.…
Both ‘Frankenstein’ By Mary Shelley (1818) and ‘Blade Runner’ composed by Ridley Scott (1992) express the concerns of the dire consequences that come as a result of the need for control. These texts were heavily influenced by the rapid growth of technology although reflecting different eras. They highlight the dangers of excessive ambition and the threats to the natural world from different perspectives.…