Blade Runner And Frankenstein Comparison Essay
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?
The contexts in which the texts are composed have a strong influence over the worlds they depict. This is clearly resembled in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Ridley Scott’s noir film “Blade Runner.” The importance of the relationship between science and nature is demonstrated through the texts, as both explore the essence of what it means to be human although the texts were composed over a hundred years apart. The texts represent the potential danger of ambition and knowledge in respect to the advancements of technology and as a result we begin to witness the line between human and non-human become increasingly blurred. As a responder we are forced to ask the question what is the value of life? …show more content…
Mary Shelley composed the hybrid novel Frankenstein during a time of great change and extraordinary scientific developments including the work of Galvani. The novel clearly exhibits language features from the gothic and Romanticism era as she focuses on natures sublime, heightened emotions experienced by the characters and the use of macabre settings such as graveyards and the description of the “demoniacal corpse.” The influence of Shelley’s parents is evident in her writing as the plot is driven by what is ethically and morally right in respect to science and medicine. Social issues of that period can be seen in Frankenstein as Shelley plays on the idea of freedom of thought and the belief that anything is possible. By combining these issues and ideas Shelley presents us with a compelling and engaging story where we are exposed to the artificial world of human creation and the repercussions of “man playing god. ”
A mere 150 years later Ridley Scoot directed a futuristic film “Blade Runner” which presented the same moral and ethical concerns amongst society in relation to the significant development as seen in Frankenstein. The film is characterised by the social concerns of the 1980’s where society was disillusioned, there was a growing concern for the environment and traditional values of love and compassion were overshadowed by consumerism and the excessive need for wealth, which is demonstrated through the company logo “commerce is our goal.” Scientific breakthroughs involving IVF and the introduction of human organ transplants brought with it much anxiety about the ethical and moral implications. Throughout the film the audience is forced to ask questions such as how far is too far in order to create and maintain life. And are the replicants “more human than human,” as they demonstrate a greater capacity to love and empathise with others?
Similarly the theme of duality is present in both texts as it emphasises the importance of the relationship between science and nature.
In “Blade Runner” Tyrell Corporation pride itself on the fact they produce “replicants more human than human.” Although the very reasoning for their creation was so they could exploit them as slaves, they were seen as commodities “nothing more.” In a sense they metaphorically represent modern day slaves in a suppressed society. As the film progresses we become aware that the replicants are more then genetically modified androids as we are exposed to their ability to love, empathise and share in a relationship. For example after Pris is “retired” we sympathise with Roy as he grieves for the one he loves, this being the very essence of humanity. The significance of the duality between characters Roy and Deckard, science verse nature is captured in the final scene when Roy releases a dove, which symbolises peace and ultimately wholeness. This is further enhanced by the Mise-en-scenes to and from each character in which we observe Deckard realise the significance of
love.
Likewise duality amongst characters is present in Frankenstein as we witness the creator and creation, reflect one another. Victor goes as far as describing the doppelganger as “my own spirit let loose from my grave.” The monster himself questions the injustice of humanity when he is faced with the challenge of identity and life in general, “I possessed no money, no friends, no kind of property.” Through his longing for companionship and love we the responder as well as Victor feel “compassion” towards the lonely individual. Towards the conclusion of the novel we witness a role reversal as the monster become as heartless as man, and the powerless becomes the powerful. This is displayed through the words of the monster “You are my creator, but I am your master –obey!” Similar to “Blade Runner” in the final chapters we witness the paradoxical bond between the two characters when the creator (nature) learns the value of life, something that the replicants had already possessed. Victor’s transformation is evident when he says, “for the first time…I felt what the duties of a creator towards his creature were.” This is where the distinction between the role of the parent and creator become undistinguishable further supporting the significance of the relationship between nature and science.
The downfall of humanity is emphasised in both texts as the humans lack compassion and empathy, and instead are driven by superficial beings. In Frankenstein Victor is driven by his thirst for knowledge that no other has, the secret to life. During his quest we see the essence of humanity by replaced by revenge and the abandonment of responsibility. The scene is heightened through the use of Frankenstein’s emotions being mirrored in the “icy” surrounds especially when the monster comes face to face with his creator. The monster addresses Victor “Do your duty towards me, and I will do mine towards you and the rest of mankind,” we begin to see the repercussions of lack of parental responsibility as the monster craves for love and affection. The creations represent everything humanity defines, a spiritual, moral and ethical dimension, a binary opposite of what Victor resembles.
Correspondingly in “Blade Runner” when Roy is faced with his maker he demands, “I want more life,” this demonstrates his passion and desire for life. Tyrell’s reaction to this is “the light that burns twice as bright burns half as long...and you have burned so very, very brightly,” the scene presents itself as man meeting God, in which we sympathise with Roy as he desires everything we as humans desire, a companion “. Earlier in the film the audience is pressured into making the distinction between human and replicant when Pris confronts J.F by saying “I think Sebastian therefore I am Sebastian.” Through the receding qualities of humanity shown particularly if we analyse the film from a feminists perspective we are exposed to the degradation of women. For example the way in which Pris is portrayed as a pleasure model and Rachael treated as a commodity. We discover how the value and essence of life is unique for each individual whether they are human or non-human.
Similarly the natural environment and the landscape in each texts play a crucial role in helping to convey and heighten the forewarning messages within both texts. The opening scene of “Blade Runner” depicts an unnatural urban jungle where there is a lack of any natural flora and fauna. The eye motif is first presented in this scene and appears as the window to the soul and encourages the viewer to question what they are witnessing, this is also the case in Tyrell’s office where a bonsai tree symbolises man-playing God. The noir influence is seen in the depiction of the degraded environment, acid rain, and the jungle of infrastructure helps us draw parallels with the growing air pollution and forest degradation that we are witnessing in today’s society. It becomes a battle of the force of nature up against the power of science.
Alternatively Shelley draws on nature’s sublime in Frankenstein as a way of expressing the protagonist’s emotions. In the beginning of the novel, nature provides a sense of calm and relief for Victor, whilst at the same time reminding him of his interference with the natural creation of life. At times Victor describes a unique relationship he shares with the picturesque scenery, “my own spirits were high and I bounded along with feelings of unbridles joy and hilarity.” This conveys Shelley’s own thoughts about the monitoring of technological developments and challenges the significance of nature’s role on a global scale.
The relationship between science and nature presented in the two texts will continue to be relevant in years to come, due to the continuing advancements in science and medicine and the ongoing evaluation of the value of life. Society will be constantly forced to consult about the issues of degradation of the environment and the use of artificial materials to prolong life. It can only be predicted that the relationship between science and nature will become more complex as our thirst for knowledge continues and our desire to be better, know more and live longer drives scientific developments.
The contexts in which the texts are composed have a strong influence over the worlds they depict. This is clearly resembled in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Ridley Scott’s noir film “Blade Runner.” The importance of the relationship between science and nature is demonstrated through the texts, as both explore the essence of what it means to be human although the texts were composed over a hundred years apart. The texts represent the potential danger of ambition and knowledge in respect to the advancements of technology and as a result we begin to witness the line between human and non-human become increasingly blurred. As a responder we are forced to ask the question what is the value of life? …show more content…
Mary Shelley composed the hybrid novel Frankenstein during a time of great change and extraordinary scientific developments including the work of Galvani. The novel clearly exhibits language features from the gothic and Romanticism era as she focuses on natures sublime, heightened emotions experienced by the characters and the use of macabre settings such as graveyards and the description of the “demoniacal corpse.” The influence of Shelley’s parents is evident in her writing as the plot is driven by what is ethically and morally right in respect to science and medicine. Social issues of that period can be seen in Frankenstein as Shelley plays on the idea of freedom of thought and the belief that anything is possible. By combining these issues and ideas Shelley presents us with a compelling and engaging story where we are exposed to the artificial world of human creation and the repercussions of “man playing god. ”
A mere 150 years later Ridley Scoot directed a futuristic film “Blade Runner” which presented the same moral and ethical concerns amongst society in relation to the significant development as seen in Frankenstein. The film is characterised by the social concerns of the 1980’s where society was disillusioned, there was a growing concern for the environment and traditional values of love and compassion were overshadowed by consumerism and the excessive need for wealth, which is demonstrated through the company logo “commerce is our goal.” Scientific breakthroughs involving IVF and the introduction of human organ transplants brought with it much anxiety about the ethical and moral implications. Throughout the film the audience is forced to ask questions such as how far is too far in order to create and maintain life. And are the replicants “more human than human,” as they demonstrate a greater capacity to love and empathise with others?
Similarly the theme of duality is present in both texts as it emphasises the importance of the relationship between science and nature.
In “Blade Runner” Tyrell Corporation pride itself on the fact they produce “replicants more human than human.” Although the very reasoning for their creation was so they could exploit them as slaves, they were seen as commodities “nothing more.” In a sense they metaphorically represent modern day slaves in a suppressed society. As the film progresses we become aware that the replicants are more then genetically modified androids as we are exposed to their ability to love, empathise and share in a relationship. For example after Pris is “retired” we sympathise with Roy as he grieves for the one he loves, this being the very essence of humanity. The significance of the duality between characters Roy and Deckard, science verse nature is captured in the final scene when Roy releases a dove, which symbolises peace and ultimately wholeness. This is further enhanced by the Mise-en-scenes to and from each character in which we observe Deckard realise the significance of
love.
Likewise duality amongst characters is present in Frankenstein as we witness the creator and creation, reflect one another. Victor goes as far as describing the doppelganger as “my own spirit let loose from my grave.” The monster himself questions the injustice of humanity when he is faced with the challenge of identity and life in general, “I possessed no money, no friends, no kind of property.” Through his longing for companionship and love we the responder as well as Victor feel “compassion” towards the lonely individual. Towards the conclusion of the novel we witness a role reversal as the monster become as heartless as man, and the powerless becomes the powerful. This is displayed through the words of the monster “You are my creator, but I am your master –obey!” Similar to “Blade Runner” in the final chapters we witness the paradoxical bond between the two characters when the creator (nature) learns the value of life, something that the replicants had already possessed. Victor’s transformation is evident when he says, “for the first time…I felt what the duties of a creator towards his creature were.” This is where the distinction between the role of the parent and creator become undistinguishable further supporting the significance of the relationship between nature and science.
The downfall of humanity is emphasised in both texts as the humans lack compassion and empathy, and instead are driven by superficial beings. In Frankenstein Victor is driven by his thirst for knowledge that no other has, the secret to life. During his quest we see the essence of humanity by replaced by revenge and the abandonment of responsibility. The scene is heightened through the use of Frankenstein’s emotions being mirrored in the “icy” surrounds especially when the monster comes face to face with his creator. The monster addresses Victor “Do your duty towards me, and I will do mine towards you and the rest of mankind,” we begin to see the repercussions of lack of parental responsibility as the monster craves for love and affection. The creations represent everything humanity defines, a spiritual, moral and ethical dimension, a binary opposite of what Victor resembles.
Correspondingly in “Blade Runner” when Roy is faced with his maker he demands, “I want more life,” this demonstrates his passion and desire for life. Tyrell’s reaction to this is “the light that burns twice as bright burns half as long...and you have burned so very, very brightly,” the scene presents itself as man meeting God, in which we sympathise with Roy as he desires everything we as humans desire, a companion “. Earlier in the film the audience is pressured into making the distinction between human and replicant when Pris confronts J.F by saying “I think Sebastian therefore I am Sebastian.” Through the receding qualities of humanity shown particularly if we analyse the film from a feminists perspective we are exposed to the degradation of women. For example the way in which Pris is portrayed as a pleasure model and Rachael treated as a commodity. We discover how the value and essence of life is unique for each individual whether they are human or non-human.
Similarly the natural environment and the landscape in each texts play a crucial role in helping to convey and heighten the forewarning messages within both texts. The opening scene of “Blade Runner” depicts an unnatural urban jungle where there is a lack of any natural flora and fauna. The eye motif is first presented in this scene and appears as the window to the soul and encourages the viewer to question what they are witnessing, this is also the case in Tyrell’s office where a bonsai tree symbolises man-playing God. The noir influence is seen in the depiction of the degraded environment, acid rain, and the jungle of infrastructure helps us draw parallels with the growing air pollution and forest degradation that we are witnessing in today’s society. It becomes a battle of the force of nature up against the power of science.
Alternatively Shelley draws on nature’s sublime in Frankenstein as a way of expressing the protagonist’s emotions. In the beginning of the novel, nature provides a sense of calm and relief for Victor, whilst at the same time reminding him of his interference with the natural creation of life. At times Victor describes a unique relationship he shares with the picturesque scenery, “my own spirits were high and I bounded along with feelings of unbridles joy and hilarity.” This conveys Shelley’s own thoughts about the monitoring of technological developments and challenges the significance of nature’s role on a global scale.
The relationship between science and nature presented in the two texts will continue to be relevant in years to come, due to the continuing advancements in science and medicine and the ongoing evaluation of the value of life. Society will be constantly forced to consult about the issues of degradation of the environment and the use of artificial materials to prolong life. It can only be predicted that the relationship between science and nature will become more complex as our thirst for knowledge continues and our desire to be better, know more and live longer drives scientific developments.