Blade Runner and Frankenstein: A Comparison

Texts, in order to effectively convey a message, normally reflect on social views, attitudes and contextual values. A comparison between Ridley Scotts sci-fi thriller Blade offset printing the Directors Cut and the Mary Shelleys classic gothic raw Frankenstein will reveal that there argon elements of hu human being nature which will remain constant over time. These two texts reflect of the possibility of scientific and expert development and caution about possible physical and honourable consequences of this development.The seductive nature of knowledge is explored in some(prenominal) texts as the fine line that separates man and monster is revealed as our capacity for true human emotion is interrogative sentenceed. As a critique of scientific and enlightened rationalism, Shelleys gothic text Frankenstein explores the dichotomy of the human condition as man is capable of both good and evil. Waltons letters draw mans capacity for arrogance and moral blindness and foreshadow t he subsequent folly committed by Dr Frankenstein. The sun is for ever visible, its broad disk just skirting the horizon, and diffusing a unending splendor Waltons sentimentalist ideals are juxtaposed with his own arrogance as he refers to Shakespeares play Macbeth but success shall crown my endeavors. hence not? Shelleys intertextual allusion to Macbeth portrays the arrogance Walton holds about his voyages success. Just as Macbeth was ambition, so to does Walton lose his moral direction on his question for breakthrough. This aptitude is characteristic of romantic writers in the 1700s who similarly used to romantic writing styles to contrast mans moral blindness.Similarly, Ridley Scott also explores the moral blindness of humans as the pragmatism of the 80s is reflected though the loss of god in the dystopian 2019 Los Angles. Through incorporate prosperity, Scott suggests that god has been replaced by the creator, Tyrell. Nothing the god of bio-mechanics wouldnt let you in heav en for the direct allusion of Tyrell to the god of bio-mechanics reflects that Tyrell, as the owner of the supreme corporation on earth has been elevated to a god like status, reflecting the importance of corporate dominance in the 80s.As Roy confronts Tyrell, the creator plays with an extravagant, human like chess set, symbolic of his god like status over humans. Tyrells eyes are hidden behind the glare of his glasses as he peers over the figures, his tone as he confronts Roy is arrogant as he states the light that ruin twice as bright, burns half as long, and you have burned so bright the objectification of Roy dehumanizes and belittles the replicant and portrays Tyrells control and dominance over humanity. Humanity has been plant with the capacity to celebrate the divinity of nature and this appreciation of the natural demesne is a key element of the human spirit.Shelleys text Frankenstein reflects the Romantics pantheistic view of god and nature as the two are inextricably li nked. The Romantic belief that god is revealed through the natural world is shown as Frankenstein takes solace in the sublime beauty of nature. The vary winds whispered in soothing accents, and maternal nature bade me weep no more the prosopopoeia of the wind and comparison of natural to a mother reflects the romantic influences over Shelley as nature is portrayed as divine and splendid. Similarly, other characters in the romance also marvel at the magnificence of nature.Walton, in his letters, reflects on the beauty of the Artic on his voyage Sailing over a calm sea, we may be wafted to a land surpassing in wonders and in beauty every region hitherto discovered on the habitable globe Walton fascination with the discovery and exploration of the Artic also reproduces Shelleys romantic ideals, reflecting the romantic writers common pre-occupation with the unspoiled domain of the artic. The dangers of circumventing the natural order are also explored in Ridley Scotts Blade Runner The Directors Cut. The text reflects how nature has been compromised for industrial profit of transnational corporations.The soaring oblique camera angle and the hellish depiction of fire, works with the dramatic, eerie euphony at the beginning of the movie theater to suggest the capitalistic world has destroyed the natural world for the creation of profit. The film noir technique used throughout the film adds a sense of lifelessness to the Los Angles environment and offers contrast to Frankenstein, where nature is respected and revered. Scott uses his text to didactically warn the audience about the degradation of the natural environment as the capitalist world of Los Angles and the on world colony has become degraded urban sprawl devoid of natural life.In Blade Runner, the natural world is represented by the breakdown of the physical environment. In Frankenstein, the natural world is broken down morally as the creator defies the natural order. Ultimately both texts caution agains t the perception that all progress is beneficial. Shelleys Frankenstein and Ridley Scotts Blade Runner each take exception human supremacy as the created is portrayed as moral, emotionally and physically superior to their creator. The Replicants in Scotts Blade Runner challenge this Darwinian view of human supremacy as, in contrast to the humans of LA 2019 they are emotive, compassionate and moral. All those moments will be alienated in time, like tears in rain the raw emotion shown by Roy as his image is silhouetted against filtered blue light life reflects the elements of humanity that have been lost in the dystopic world as the replicants are the only beings capable of true emotive, human behavior. Similarly, Shelleys Frankenstein portrays the reversal of the Darwinian Theory with Frankenstein creating a being superior physically and emotionally to man.Shelley uses the Romantic belief of the loss of innocence, shown in the inter-textual allusion to Miltons heaven lost as the m onster is portrayed as benevolent and being capable of both compassion and love, similar to man before his expulsion from the Garden of Eden. I ought to be thy Adam but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed the biblical allusion to Adam and the Devil portray the monsters human elements as he is shown as compassionate, intelligent and munificent I was benevolent and good, misery made me a fiend contrasting Frankenstein who seems incapable of show human emotion.Shelley uses the rivalry between Victor and his Creature to reflect the hostility between the devil and god in Miltons epic poem Paradise lost, Shelley was influenced by her husbands writing on the poem and used his general interpretation to present the antagonism between Frankenstein and his monster.Despite the different contexts of both Shellys Frankenstein and Scotts Blade Runner, each texts reflects similar themes and a further knowledge and greater understanding of context enables the rea der to hold a deeper appreciation of the texts. Both texts challenge our assumption that knowledge is beneficial and expose the physical and moral consequences of circumventing the natural order. However the two texts question our more primal practices as each they question to what extent our human nature has remained the same.