Blade Runner And Frankenstein Comparison Essay
Mary Shelley’s, ‘Frankenstein’ and Ridley Scott’s, ‘Blade Runner’ both take social fears and reflet them. They show aspects of Film Noir, Gothic literature, Romanticism, The impact of Science and natural philosophy, Crime fiction and Post modern literature. The two texts, although different in overall context, have many themes, ideas and values which closely link them to each other while still portraying differences. The image that I have chosen to portray these similarities and differences is a self composed drawing of a monster who ‘is’ destruction and a little girl reaching for the flower that destruction is holding out too her. This illustration, at first glance, shows death and destruction brought about by humanity, the darkness within humanity and possible reconciliation of peace.
…show more content…
The contrast between destruction and the happiness and innocence of a child within my illustration reflects the theme of good and evil.
Within the image, I have incorporated a dove to symbolise peace, goodwill and the soul.
It represents a connection with nature and purity and was conveyed in ‘Blade Runner’ when Roy released the dove from his hands as he was dying. The dove is being followed by the monster which makes us question, “Is the monster really as bad as what society has portrayed it too be?” This question can also be proposed by the fact that the monster is holding out a flower to the young girl. The ‘monsters’ in my image, ‘Blade Runner’, and ‘Frankenstein’, are not accepted within society as equals too humans but are instead perceived as a threat against humanity. Ironically, humanity is destroying itself without any doing of anything less than human. This is shown in my image by the smoke fumed industrialised buildings, the nuclear weapon, guns, bombs, sewerage, bullet wounds and arrows. All of these human made weapons represent a society which is destroying itself, and the idea that creations destroy the creator. How is it that we as humans can create nuclear weapons to kill one another and we are not perceived as monsters or threats against humanity? What is it that has made society recognise the ‘Monster’ in my image, the Replicant’s and Frankenstein’s creation as
monsters? These links represent the nature of humanity. The key line in ‘Blade Runner’ which relates to humanity is when Pris says, “I think, Sebastian, therefore I am.” What it means to be human is brought up many times throughout the film. The film debates what makes us human. The difference between the robots and humans is usually the ability to develop emotion and memories. The replicants have both of these. Toward the beginning of the film Tyrell says, “More human than human is out motto.” The replicants are stronger, smarter and have emotional connections with other people, yet they are not considered to be human. What is being challenged here is our assumptions about what makes us human and our increasing obsolescence in a world we have largely destroyed. The idea that creations destroy the creator can also be seen in ‘Blade runner’ when Roy kills Tyrell and in ‘Frankenstein’ when the monster kills everyone close to Victor.
The above points bring forth the idea of dehumanisation through inhuman acts. In ‘Frankenstein,’ no name is ever given to the creature; he is referred to in third person as a “wretch”, “abhorred devil”, and “daemon.” The creature is hunted by victor and feared by villagers. Victor loses his humanity in his obsession and then despair. He loses contact with his family and friends and becomes increasingly isolated, “I am a blasted tree... a miserable spectacle of wrecked humanity.” In ‘Blade Runner’, the replicants are given a number of names, “Nexus 6” as well as derogatory comments such as “skin job” or “it”. The use of film noir, vast empty buildings and mannequins throughout the film creates a dark, degraded environment devoid of warmer emotions and humanity. “God damn one man killing machines.” A common similarity among both texts is biblical illusion, the rejection of the creations draw comparison with Satan and other fallen angles. The novel, ‘Frankenstein’ opens with a reference to ‘Paradise Lost’. The comparison between God and fallen angels in ‘Frankenstein is evident when he says, “The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil,” and again when he says, “This was indeed a God-like Science.” These comply with ‘Blade Runner’ through, “fiery the angels fell,” and “You’re not the prodigal son.” Within my illustration I have incorporated three crosses to represent death and go hand in hand with the connection to religion and Christ.
Throughout ‘Frankenstein’, there is a close relationship between man and nature which is not shown nor portrayed in ‘Blade Runner’. This shows that nature reflects the values and status of society and that the destruction of nature will impact society. In ‘Blade Runner,’ the constant rain and darkness in the background along with the crowded paths with smoke gushing out of pipes represents techniques of film noir. The environment has been made to play on the fears and assumptions on what the future holds and the atmosphere created by these techniques reflects the fall of society or the fall of society as we know it. Whereas, Throughout ‘Frankenstein,’ the monster retreats to outdoor places that coincide lost beauty. These outdoor settings were the only places that the monster could go to be alone, untouched and in peace.
The main idea my image is conveying is the idea of a failed humanity; the question “what makes a monster?” Maybe it’s that we are all monsters stuck within ourselves. We look for any excuse to find faults within others to hide what is within us and our own inner monsters from the world. We are becoming a failed society.
By Ashley Terrens
952 words
The contrast between destruction and the happiness and innocence of a child within my illustration reflects the theme of good and evil.
Within the image, I have incorporated a dove to symbolise peace, goodwill and the soul.
It represents a connection with nature and purity and was conveyed in ‘Blade Runner’ when Roy released the dove from his hands as he was dying. The dove is being followed by the monster which makes us question, “Is the monster really as bad as what society has portrayed it too be?” This question can also be proposed by the fact that the monster is holding out a flower to the young girl. The ‘monsters’ in my image, ‘Blade Runner’, and ‘Frankenstein’, are not accepted within society as equals too humans but are instead perceived as a threat against humanity. Ironically, humanity is destroying itself without any doing of anything less than human. This is shown in my image by the smoke fumed industrialised buildings, the nuclear weapon, guns, bombs, sewerage, bullet wounds and arrows. All of these human made weapons represent a society which is destroying itself, and the idea that creations destroy the creator. How is it that we as humans can create nuclear weapons to kill one another and we are not perceived as monsters or threats against humanity? What is it that has made society recognise the ‘Monster’ in my image, the Replicant’s and Frankenstein’s creation as
monsters? These links represent the nature of humanity. The key line in ‘Blade Runner’ which relates to humanity is when Pris says, “I think, Sebastian, therefore I am.” What it means to be human is brought up many times throughout the film. The film debates what makes us human. The difference between the robots and humans is usually the ability to develop emotion and memories. The replicants have both of these. Toward the beginning of the film Tyrell says, “More human than human is out motto.” The replicants are stronger, smarter and have emotional connections with other people, yet they are not considered to be human. What is being challenged here is our assumptions about what makes us human and our increasing obsolescence in a world we have largely destroyed. The idea that creations destroy the creator can also be seen in ‘Blade runner’ when Roy kills Tyrell and in ‘Frankenstein’ when the monster kills everyone close to Victor.
The above points bring forth the idea of dehumanisation through inhuman acts. In ‘Frankenstein,’ no name is ever given to the creature; he is referred to in third person as a “wretch”, “abhorred devil”, and “daemon.” The creature is hunted by victor and feared by villagers. Victor loses his humanity in his obsession and then despair. He loses contact with his family and friends and becomes increasingly isolated, “I am a blasted tree... a miserable spectacle of wrecked humanity.” In ‘Blade Runner’, the replicants are given a number of names, “Nexus 6” as well as derogatory comments such as “skin job” or “it”. The use of film noir, vast empty buildings and mannequins throughout the film creates a dark, degraded environment devoid of warmer emotions and humanity. “God damn one man killing machines.” A common similarity among both texts is biblical illusion, the rejection of the creations draw comparison with Satan and other fallen angles. The novel, ‘Frankenstein’ opens with a reference to ‘Paradise Lost’. The comparison between God and fallen angels in ‘Frankenstein is evident when he says, “The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil,” and again when he says, “This was indeed a God-like Science.” These comply with ‘Blade Runner’ through, “fiery the angels fell,” and “You’re not the prodigal son.” Within my illustration I have incorporated three crosses to represent death and go hand in hand with the connection to religion and Christ.
Throughout ‘Frankenstein’, there is a close relationship between man and nature which is not shown nor portrayed in ‘Blade Runner’. This shows that nature reflects the values and status of society and that the destruction of nature will impact society. In ‘Blade Runner,’ the constant rain and darkness in the background along with the crowded paths with smoke gushing out of pipes represents techniques of film noir. The environment has been made to play on the fears and assumptions on what the future holds and the atmosphere created by these techniques reflects the fall of society or the fall of society as we know it. Whereas, Throughout ‘Frankenstein,’ the monster retreats to outdoor places that coincide lost beauty. These outdoor settings were the only places that the monster could go to be alone, untouched and in peace.
The main idea my image is conveying is the idea of a failed humanity; the question “what makes a monster?” Maybe it’s that we are all monsters stuck within ourselves. We look for any excuse to find faults within others to hide what is within us and our own inner monsters from the world. We are becoming a failed society.
By Ashley Terrens
952 words