Frankenstein/ Blade Runner
Through examining two texts that withhold a large variation in time and context the change in values and idea become evident. This is distinct in the study of Mary Shelley’s 1818 Horror Science Fiction Print Novel, Frankenstein, written during the industrial revolution and Ridley Scott’s 1982 Action Science Fiction film Blade Runner, written as Social disillusionment and Environmental concerns became the prominent public issue.
The idea of Science Playing God is emulated in both Frankenstein and Blade Runner. Firstly in Frankenstein the obvious notion is explored through Victor’s scientific construction of a human from the body parts of the dead and bringing it to life with scientific experimentations. With use of first person narration during the exciting time of Victor’s discovery, we gain some sense of the exhilarating feeling he feels during his scientific progress of creating life. “Engaged heart and soul, in the pursuit of some discoveries which I hoped to make. None but those who have experienced them can conceive the enticements of science” In this regard, Victor is no different than the biblical God of Genesis who creates man out of clay. Frankenstein, though often doubts himself at times and supports the idea that in playing God, practice makes perfect. As he states as he is dying, “I have myself been blasted in these hopes, yet another may succeed.” This referring to his scientific achievements.
Blade runner explored the concept of Science playing god through Bio-mechanics as the Tyrell Corporation assemble replicates of humans that are identical to humans yet they feel no emotion and have a shorter lifespan. The construction of these replicates mirrors the notion of science playing god which is highlighted as Chew exclaims to Roy, “I just do eyes. Just eyes. Just genetic design. Just eyes.” The repetition of eyes and the dark gloomy freezer room symbolises ‘stone cold eyes’ and the illusion that you can see through their souls (eyes are the windows
The idea of Science Playing God is emulated in both Frankenstein and Blade Runner. Firstly in Frankenstein the obvious notion is explored through Victor’s scientific construction of a human from the body parts of the dead and bringing it to life with scientific experimentations. With use of first person narration during the exciting time of Victor’s discovery, we gain some sense of the exhilarating feeling he feels during his scientific progress of creating life. “Engaged heart and soul, in the pursuit of some discoveries which I hoped to make. None but those who have experienced them can conceive the enticements of science” In this regard, Victor is no different than the biblical God of Genesis who creates man out of clay. Frankenstein, though often doubts himself at times and supports the idea that in playing God, practice makes perfect. As he states as he is dying, “I have myself been blasted in these hopes, yet another may succeed.” This referring to his scientific achievements.
Blade runner explored the concept of Science playing god through Bio-mechanics as the Tyrell Corporation assemble replicates of humans that are identical to humans yet they feel no emotion and have a shorter lifespan. The construction of these replicates mirrors the notion of science playing god which is highlighted as Chew exclaims to Roy, “I just do eyes. Just eyes. Just genetic design. Just eyes.” The repetition of eyes and the dark gloomy freezer room symbolises ‘stone cold eyes’ and the illusion that you can see through their souls (eyes are the windows