Frankenstein and Blade Runner
FBR Homework Task
Past speaks to the future in Frankenstein and Blade Runner. To what extent is this made evident in the texts that you have studied?
Mary Shelley’s 19th century gothic novel Frankenstein and Ridley Scott’s 1982 film Blade Runner both explore the fears relevant to their contexts. While these texts were composed in different time periods, a parallel that exists between these texts involves man’s testing the established moral and ideals of the time. Both texts deal with the possible ramifications of scientific advancement and the outcomes for society as a whole; this idea has proven to be a timeless concept. These texts convey cautionary messages regarding the moral consideration of the responsibilities of scientific endeavour, which are still relevant today. Each composer considers the implications of scientific progress in their contexts; Mary Shelley was strongly influenced by the ideals of Romanticism while also being exposed to the new theories of galvanism. Scott composed Blade Runner in a time of commercial enterprise and controversial experimentation, namely in-vitro fertilisation and cloning. The themes explored in these texts reflect the concerns of the time in which they were composed. Although both texts share concerns about the impact of science on morality, their representation of the possibilities of the inevitable societal change differ, emphasising that texts are shaped by context.
The pursuit of scientific knowledge and advancement has led man to challenge established values and assume an omnipotent role, often without forethought to the subsequent consequences. Both Tyrell and Frankenstein assume powers of the divine in their respective texts. Each of the characters in the creator roles are portrayed as being isolated from the world and therefore judged as being insufficient to hold divine power. Frankenstein is derivative of the ‘Promethean Myth’ with Victor challenging the role of nature and consequently being punished for his
Past speaks to the future in Frankenstein and Blade Runner. To what extent is this made evident in the texts that you have studied?
Mary Shelley’s 19th century gothic novel Frankenstein and Ridley Scott’s 1982 film Blade Runner both explore the fears relevant to their contexts. While these texts were composed in different time periods, a parallel that exists between these texts involves man’s testing the established moral and ideals of the time. Both texts deal with the possible ramifications of scientific advancement and the outcomes for society as a whole; this idea has proven to be a timeless concept. These texts convey cautionary messages regarding the moral consideration of the responsibilities of scientific endeavour, which are still relevant today. Each composer considers the implications of scientific progress in their contexts; Mary Shelley was strongly influenced by the ideals of Romanticism while also being exposed to the new theories of galvanism. Scott composed Blade Runner in a time of commercial enterprise and controversial experimentation, namely in-vitro fertilisation and cloning. The themes explored in these texts reflect the concerns of the time in which they were composed. Although both texts share concerns about the impact of science on morality, their representation of the possibilities of the inevitable societal change differ, emphasising that texts are shaped by context.
The pursuit of scientific knowledge and advancement has led man to challenge established values and assume an omnipotent role, often without forethought to the subsequent consequences. Both Tyrell and Frankenstein assume powers of the divine in their respective texts. Each of the characters in the creator roles are portrayed as being isolated from the world and therefore judged as being insufficient to hold divine power. Frankenstein is derivative of the ‘Promethean Myth’ with Victor challenging the role of nature and consequently being punished for his