English Essay

In a technologically interconnected world, not being socially influenced by a person half way across the continent is hard, let alone the person in your neighbourhood. . Set in a dark fantasy world , the film Edward Scissorhands , by Tim Burton, and the identity defining book The Lost Thing by Shaun Tan, explore the challenges faced with being different. Although there are some slight differences, they are overcome by the striking amount of similarities. Characters in both texts come face-to-face with the challenge of being different, which consumes most of the texts. However , there are minor differences that revolve around society’s reactions to the challenges and changes faced by some individuals, such Edward Scissorhands and “the thing”. Conformity and social isolation are both explored and scrutinised deeply throughout both texts, with strong messages delivered about the problems with being different. Whilst the texts focus so strongly on the challenges or problems of being different, they ironically reveal a stronger message about the ignorance of a society that behaves exactly the same.

Conformity is a result of the influenced change in one’s behaviour and beliefs in order to fit in with a group or individuals or society. It is a main theme explored in Edward Scissorhands and The Lost Thing. The ‘thing’ in The Lost Thing is different as it is a red mechanical being , as opposed to the human characters on the beach in the book. Alternately, Edward’s character In Edward Scissorhands is seen as different from he neighbourhood, as he hides himself away in a dark castle, away from the bright, sunny town. He has scissors for hands and has pale features with dark hair, as opposed to the human neighbours. This is seen in the barbecue scene in Edward Scissorhands when Edward’s blank facial expressions reveal he struggles to understand the men’s joke about ‘cutting cards’ . Even though Edward does not understand, he sees them laugh and mimics them by laughing also. A mid shot reveals this adherence to social rules and the fact that he is wearing similar clothes and has the same stance as the others , as opposed to his usual awkward stance and his dark outfit, confirms his challenge with trying to conform with the neighbourhood. Non- diegetic Hawaiian style music is also heard in the background of the scene, to imply that everyone is getting along and everything is calm, as long as society conforms. The irregular shape of the clouds foreshadows the chaos that will follow if there is no conformity. This is further seen when one neighbour recommends , “ I have a doctor friend who might be able to help you ”. This demonstrates that the neighbour is trying to help Edward by getting to appear the same as others. The man’s body gesture as he places his hand on Edward’s shoulder , seen in the mid shot, suggests he accepts Edward’s attempts to conform and encourages further conformity. Similarly, the red “lost thing” in The Lost Thing also tries to conform like Edward. He is seen in a long shot sitting on the beach , with many others “busy doing beach stuff”. Unlike Edward’s neighbours , people didn't notice its presence. The society values the homogenous life as suggested by the sign that states “homogenous equations’, upon entering the beach. This shows us that despite society having a choice to be original to their self , they decide to follow other trends. It places emphasis to the fact that people are also being ordered to conform, by the sign, hence allowing the responder to think about being unconsciously forced to conform. The slight difference between the two texts, relating to conformity , is that while society (the neighbourhood ) in Edward Scissorhands tries to acquire Edward to further conform to their behaviours, society in The Lost Thing completely excludes the ‘thing’ because it doesn't conform. Conformity is the most important idea to adhere to in both texts , and highlights how insisting not to conform and being different is a challenge.

Just as conformity forces people to follow society, if they do not conform they are generally socially isolated. Social isolation is another theme seen throughout both texts, Edward Scissorhands and The Lost Thing . This is when an individual is excluded by a group of people. This exclusion is first established as the neighbours are seen in the overhead shot to be barricaded in by the backyard fence . This is isolating the neighbours altogether , however the potential for individual isolation is seen in the low angle shot of the five women that shows their power as they gossip. Joyce is seen as the leading lady of this group as she dictates their conversation, stating that “ He promised to come to my house first ladies”. Her dominance foreshadows her power to isolate people and in particular her subject of choice, Edward. Bill similarly is an silting force when he forces Edward’s hands in the air , in a low angle ,mid shot. This shows he also can dominate Edward as she says , “soups on”. Edward replies with a confused facial expression as he struggles to understand saying , “i thought it was shish kebabs”. The father then states, “Ed you gotta learn not to take things so literally”, revealing his minor annoyance at Edward’s lack of understanding the langauge. This shows that he is not only physically awkward and in danger of being isolated, but his lack of understanding the language also leaves him outcasted. It is an accurate representation of how people who don't behave or speak the same , are instantly left out of society for being different. Likewise, in The Lost Thing , the salient image of the boy standing in the foreground shows that he is alone and the only person not on the beach, as he stands in the shadows, isolated from society. His isolation is mostly caused by the stairway, which acts as a barrier between the protagonist and the beach goers, as he stands back “staring at it for a while” (the red thing) , from his position in the shadows. The shadows represent his isolation and his differences as a “dark” part of him due to his rejection. He is excluded as he stands before the traffic light symbol that represents ‘ stop and conform’, after reading “Homogenous Equations” sign, meaning all the same. The barrier ends after the traffic light and sign , symbolising that once you conform, you will no longer be isolated. Therefore, everyone must be alike or the same. Then once individuals “ stop and conform” , they can emerge into the sun with the rest of the society, where they are not outcasted as the shadows also end at the traffic light. The effect of the sun emerging at the end of the barrier, represents that if you are not different, then you shall be accepted and loved by society, as symbolised by the bright colours of the sun. There is also a small difference between the two texts. The difference is that despite in Edward Scissorhands people isolate Edward with their words and actions, in The Lost Thing , the ‘red thing’ is isolated by just being completely ignored as if “nobody seemed to notice it was there”. Social isolation is a key factor that affects the characters , and put barriers /challenges in their lives.

Conformity and social isolation promote many problems for individuals to overcome in order to survive in a society . They also expose the dangers of a society , which is appreciating individuals and their commitment to being different. In both Edward Scissorhands and The Lost Thing, the similarities show that being different is a positive trait , and defeating the challenges that come with it, such as conformity and social isolation, allows one to find their true self.