Blade Runner Frankenstein

Blade Runner and Frankenstein despite contextual differences reflect almost identical concerns transcending ethical boundaries for scientific advancement. While Blade Runner can be seen as offering a parallel plot to Frankenstein, Ridley Scott take the story of a creator and his being to new heights and answers questions Shelley left unsaid. Parity between both texts is driven in the meet the creators scene that demonstrate the fundamentally similar themes prevalent in both contexts, where the lines between science and religion blur. The Age of Enlightenment, Galvanism and the Romantic period shaped Frankenstein the epistolary novel whilst rapid advancements in science and technology influenced Blade Runner through the ethical concerns of DNA cloning and capitalistic greed. By examining the parallel issues of; mans manipulation of god, the effect of industrialization and globalization on the environment and the ethical and moral boundaries of science, the context of the 1980s and the 1800s are accentuated. Through a comparative study of these similar ideas, a deeper understanding of the text’s contextual concerns arises.

At a time where the role of religion was being questioned, Shelley warns of the thinning line between divinity and humanity, overlooked in Blade Runner where the push for scientific rationalism and move away from religion of the 1980‘s is heightened. In Both creator scenes its evident the creators lack insight, humanity and empathy being egocentric and indifferent to the needs of their creations. Victor does not realize the tragic ramifications of his ambitions, he abandons his fatherly role which in tern results in self imposed exile. The being is lost and ostracized from society as Victor neglected his role as father when he abandoned the creature. I’am malicious because i’am miserable.Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind?...why I should pity man more than he pities me?. The repetition of rhetorical questions highlight the monsters