As times change and transition into new eras and periods, one aspect remains constant, which are societal values due to the linearity of human nature. Similarities in the influences of the respective contexts of authors can be examined in texts that explore identical thematic concerns. Two authors and texts that can be used to demonstrate this include Mary Shelley’s didactic novel Frankenstein written in the early 19th century and, Ridley Scott’s film noir, Blade Runner (Directors Cut 1982).
As though these two texts have been constructed in distinctive time periods, they share similar or juxtaposed content that convey parallel social values in both their cautionary tales. By analyzing the congruent components embedded in characters or warnings in texts, it can be proven that societal norms are sustained even through the influence of distinctive time periods.
In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley uses the protagonist Victor as a representation of how society values individuality. She creates the didactic element in the text by Victor’s interaction with Walton. “Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge” exhibits how Victor realizes that his ulterior motive was ethically wrong and wishes to demonstrate to his fellow companion that shares the same “madness”. Walton’s character is created for the purpose of being compared to Victor. As Victor is the only one who experiences these consequences of blind and obsessive ambition develops him into a unique character, which can be reflected upon Mary Shelley’s context of the enlightenment. The enlightenment is a romantic era in the 19th century, which emphasizes reason and individuality, which is exploited in the character of Victor.
The Essay on Psychoanalysis Of Victor Frankenstein Frankenstein By Mary Shelley
In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein creates a monster that murders several people, and then flees through Europe to the Arctic Circle. In the beginning of the story, it seems that Frankenstein is simply a scientist chasing a pipe dream of finding the key to eternal life, but closer analysis of the text reveals that Frankenstein is not sane, and possibly suffering from one of ...
Similarly, Eldon Tyrell in Blade Runner produces artificial human beings, the “Replicants” all for the purpose of his dominance in a scientific based commerce. Because of this Tyrell is represented as a dominant and wealthy character despite his stature. This by far demonstrating his individuality, which is further emphasized in his contrast to every other character in the film. Filmic devices such as lighting support this; such as when Tyrell is brought to the scene, natural light illuminates his body, which juxtaposes every other character of the film. Low angle camera shots of Tyrell also represent his superiority.
By his creation of artificial life along with the motto of “more human than human”, he has embellished an ironic element to the text. This ironic element is how these artificial human beings begin to behave in a more humane way than actual humans depicted in the text. Blade Runner’s comment on this is influenced by Ridley Scott’s context of globalization, which is a concept that leads to the eradication of individuality which is shown in the depiction of humans as a globalized society that has been identically merged. Both texts utilize their characters to portray how society values individuality.
The creature in Frankenstein has an obsession for vengeance and acceptance due to his constant alienation. Throughout the text he never finds a true sense of acceptance. Roy, as well as the other replicants however shares an obsession for attaining a prolonged life span. These desires and experiences that transpire in the two creations of selfish ambitions reflect the nature of humanity.
The creature is a pure being as he enters the world space that Mary Shelley materializes. “I was benevolent and good, misery made me a fiend, make me happy and I shall again be virtuous” this use of alliteration conveys the monsters cause of maliciousness as his own misery. This misery is caused by his treatment by society and how prejudice they are based on appearance. This portrays how society judges based on aesthetics. This can be reflected upon Mary Shelley’s context of Aestheticism, which is a period of emphasis on aesthetical value. As the monster is continually called loathsome and hideous, we muster sympathy towards him in his desire for acceptance in which he is continually denied. Which reflects societies value of difference.
The Essay on How Important Is Nature In Society?
Our British society, which is growing evermore materialistic, is becoming more and more insistent on disregarding its reliance on nature in favour of celebrating technology. As our manipulation of nature is now quite apparent, our relationship with it has become indirect; but it is still very much existent and of extreme importance, however much we fail to admit it. This essay will explore the ...
Conversely in Blade Runner Roy Batty, is “perfect” but yet audiences still manifest sympathy towards him. This is because of his final state of agony before his death. Roy asks a rhetorical question in eloquent manner, “Quite an experience to live in fear isn’t it? That’s what it’s like to be a slave” which is the point of when the audience begin to pity him even with his disoriented state. As Roy’s last fellow being Pris is “retired” he expresses his emotions, another factor that humans lack in film. His emotions are expressed through a howl simulating a wolf, which acts as a symbol of isolation. The term “retired” instead of more appropriate words like murder or kill in terms of the replicants shows clear distinction of treatment based on difference. This further hyperbolizes the presence of the societies value of judgment and difference in both texts.
The treatment of the ideas of denaturalization that is present in texts from different times can juxtapose each other but still reflect the same social value.
Both Mary Shelley and Ridley Scott capture a sense of nature through the world space they create in their texts. Mary Shelley shows more of a realization to the importance and beauty of nature and how it can act as a place of tranquility. This is done by the characters interactions with nature and how it nurtures the individual. “My spirits were elevated by the enchanting appearance of nature; the past was blotted from my memory, the present was tranquil,” depicts the creatures encounter with nature and its benefits. It reflects how society values nature, in her context of the beginning of the industrial revolution. In contrast Ridley Scott presents the full pessimistic perspective of denaturalization by creating a dystopian world space. With a landscape that is completely devoid of nature, it implies how society values nature. The treatments of nature by these two composers are complete inverse but they still both reflect the same societal value of denaturalization.
The Essay on Benjamin Franklin and the Nature of Human Character
Few things say more about the character of a person than his or her religious beliefs. No, it is not because of their religion, nor, perhaps, even because of the importance of religion, but rather because of the importance people give to religion and the important place religion holds in the life of the religious. Benjamin Franklin was no different. Living in the time of a new frontier, America, ...
Even with the disconnection between Mary Shelley and Ridley Scott, they both produce texts with reflections to different contexts but similar social values. Through the comparison of characters and warnings intertwined in both texts it can be demonstrated that as times change, societal values are sustained.
Both composers’ representations of social values both are demonstrated through the characters, cautions and world spaces they convey in their texts.
