...The worlds of Frankenstein and Blade Runner are effective representations of their context and the values which were catalysts for their composition. How has your study supported this? Throughout time, literature has served well as a window into the schools of thought and social concerns of any given era of human history. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner (Director’s cut), 1986, continue this trend. Frankenstein is a typical example of Gothic literature that engages with issues commonly raised during the Enlightenment and Romantic Movement. Blade Runner was composed in the early 1980’s, a time of radical change and development in areas of science and business. Despite their differing social contexts, both texts question similarly ethically driven issues. The question over man’s right to push the boundaries of science in the creation of life has transcended time, growing increasingly relevant with recent advancements in technology. The contentious issue was predominant throughout the Enlightenment period, an era characterised by significant change where reason was valued over religious faith. This contextual significance is mirrored in Shelly’s condemnation of Frankenstein’s experiment through the loathing tone of “now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.” She furthers her argument through the monster’s description of Frankenstein as an “unfeeling, heartless creator!”, reflective...
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...Rhetorical question… Why have we ignored the warnings? Two texts that have presented us with warnings are both Frankenstein and Blade Runner, concerns of their times in both Mary Shelly’s ‘Frankenstein’’ and Ridely scotts blade runner warned us of the consequences of overstepping our boundaries of man kinds moral code and the effect of technology advancement and lack of moral and virtuous conduct that is expected to human kind. These texts are critical of scientists who choose not to question the morality of their research and discoveries or to even consider the damaging consequences of humanity that may follow. Both texts even thought they are set in different times, explore similar themes concerning the disruption of natural order to create artificial life and show how both authors warn us many of the paths followed by over-reaching scientists irresponsible at best and evil at worst. Both texts give us warning to what the future may hold if science continues to strip away man kinds moral code. The time frame in which Frankenstein written was full of great changes and extraordinary discoveries such as electricity and the French revolution, which had bloody consequences which demonstrated how volatile the era was and how social order was being challenged. England was in a societal transformation. These are therefore reflected in Frankenstein such as the electrical experiment on Frankenstein, which was a warning against the expansion of modern humans. In contrast Blade...
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...As Max Cady stated in Cape Fear: “Now you will learn about loss! Loss of freedom! Loss of humanity! Now you and I will truly be the same…” words which are so incredibly applicable to the novel, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, and the film Blade Runner directed by Ridley Scott. Both these texts raise questions about humanity, particularly its loss due to advancements of science and technology, in an effort to challenge views of their respective societies. However, whilst Shelley created her novel in the 1800s, a revolutionary time of the Romantics responding to the Enlightenment, Scott created his film during the 1980s, a time of war, commercialism and commoditisation of lifestyle, thus each text automatically privileges different perspectives whilst exploring this common theme. By examining the texts side-by-side we, like Cady, learn about loss in general, and loss of humanity in particular, as we explore the strong connections between two texts created in diverse contexts. Both texts question the ‘humanity’ of the creators, with, in Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein reflecting on the Romantic emphasis of the hero within the individual, yet the portrayal of this protagonist seems to query society’s very values. Being one of the first “gothic romantic” novels, the creation of a new being for self-centered purposes, due to his perception that “A new species would bless me as its creator”, confronts the 1800’s context about the motives of individuals. This focus on self glorification...
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...UK Walter Mr Mike English 29 Febuary 2012 The Frankenstein Syndrome In Shelley's Frankenstein, it is interesting to use text to ask the question, who's interest lie at the heart of science? Why Victor Frankenstein motivated to plunge the questions you bring life to inanimate matter can? Life of Victor Frankenstein was destroyed because of the obsession with the power to create life where none was before. The monster created shows a representation of all those who are evil in the name of science for selfish cuases. We can use the book to draw parallels of our modern society, show that there is a danger that science creates via a personal relationship between the scientist and the creator of his work. It seems to me that science is done without thought to any affect experiments can have on the basis of disclosure, we may risk all that is dear to us for our creation or study. This is the Frankenstein Syndrome. When describing the monster he created, Frankenstein says: “No mortal could support the horror of this expression. Mother given forth with animation could not be that bad this poor. I looked at him while unfinished, he was ugly then, but when those muscles and joints were rendered capable of motion, it has become that even Dante could not imagine.” (I, 235) It was Victor's reaction to the monster's that caused him to reach out to working in the night. Victor, who for months worked on creating this, suddenly confronted the results of his scientific pursuit. He labored...
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...the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, Frankenstein attempts to create a man but the man that he creates turns out to be hideous in appearance. The only differences between the man created by Frankenstein and a man created in the typical sense of birth are (1) the manner by which the men are brought into the world, and (2) the...
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...Alicia Bozzuto Period 6 Frankenstein Textpert Project: In Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, has captured the attention of millions of readers over the centuries. There are many questions one must ask in order understand the full purpose and intention of Frankenstein; can someone devaluate life so easily? What is the meaning of life? Can science really go too far? The outcomes of technology and science, even God for that matter, both positive and negative, can drastically affect the outcome of a creation. In Frankenstein, Victor realizes that triumphing science, the forces of nature and the mocking of God can, just as quickly, back fire. Victor Frankenstein, even as a young boy, was fascinated with the way things work and why they happened. In order to fulfill his quest social standings, he becomes obsessed with an idea that no one had ever thought or attempted before; creating a “perfect being”. With this idea, possibly mad idea, he did construct a being but certainly not “perfect” in his eyes. Victor shows as the devaluation of life and the society that demands for perfection by the creation of the monster. “Victor’s characteristics of selfishness, pride, dishonesty, and lack of value for life are presented.” (Lundsford) In his creation of life, something so incredible, once thought impossible, had finally come to a reality, but it was still not perfect enough for him. Frankenstein was unable to cope with his status as a creator; the thought of his creation haunted him...
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...equality during romantic period fought to obtain better rights for women. The images of women across genres can be varied as the authors themselves. Mary Wollstonecraft is the radical feminist who contributed to those debates and typically revolted against the social condition of women. In her work of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, she believed in a push for growth in women and was disturbed by the lack of education. For most romantic feminists, their literary works focused on both the source of women’s inequality and its potential solution. The feminist novels in romantic era raised concerns about the ability of women to reject silence and express themselves. A feminist view from William Blake pointed out that female liberation some kind can make men free from the relationships based on power. Mary Shelley in her novel Frankenstein questioned prescribed social roles of women and illustrated the female oppression, and she reveals women as captive servants in the household. Similar with Shelley, Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice creates strong, spirited, independent, free-thinking female characters. Austen’s novels certainly laid out the groundwork for feminism, and her portrayal of the female reveals the social...
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...demonstrated in the comparison of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner? The concerns that composers challenge in their texts not only reflect the ideals and perceptions of their time, but the same issues are also found to transcend through the decades. This has been demonstrated through the comparative study of Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein and Ridley Scott’s feature film Blade Runner in which their 150 year contextual difference could not create a barrier in exploring related issues. Despite Shelley’s Frankenstein being written in the early 19th century Romantic era, while Blade Runner was created in the period of late 20th century America influenced by Reaganomics, both texts delve into the concerns of the overpowering need for glory, the dichotomy between humanity and monstrosity, and the lack of parental responsibility. Through Frankenstein and Blade Runner, the desire for ultimate success is represented through the pursuit of knowledge and the application of science and technology. The underlying intention behind the project is of utmost importance as there will be dire consequences if the purpose of the creation is of a superficial motive. Through Victor, Shelley has portrayed humans as deeply ambitious yet also deeply flawed. Victor dreams of transforming society and bringing glory to his name through his scientific achievements yet his desire also makes him fallible. In writing Frankenstein, Shelley had challenged the Enlightenment ideal...
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...advancements in science and technology became the order of the day, religion began a down-hill slide. Its theory/belief remained strong until the middle of the century, when in 1859, Charles Darwin published his Evolution of the Species theory. Many, including the clergy, began to question the beliefs of the church. Evangelical influences and the Oxford Movement did produce a surge of spirituality which helped to rebuild the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches. But toward the latter part of the century, most began to see religion as meaning little more than respectability. It did, however, remain the inspiration of writers, architects, painters and the social reformers of the period. England under the reign of Victoria (1837-1901) was undisputedly Christian; very few families would have chosen not to visit church on Sundays, and Christians dominated public life. The period of Queen Victoria's reign was, however, a period of change. Over its 64-year span, life changed rapidly: industrialisation took hold and brought the development of the railway, thus widening people's horizons by effectively shrinking England. Scientific thinkers began to contemplate evolutionary theories and to question their implications and compatibility with a religion nearly two millennia old. Religion in literature Tennyson England under the reign of Victoria (1837-1901) was undisputedly Christian; very few families would have...
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...…….. (REFER TO QUESTION HERE) Every text is a product of its time and may reflect changing values and differing perspectives……. (Which can significantly enhance an audiences understanding of that time and context). The capacity of such values to be ultimately universal is seen within Mary Shelley’s 19th Century Gothic novel Frankenstein and Ridley- Scott’s sci-fi thriller Blade Runner. Despite being written centuries apart both remain powerful reminders and critiques of humanity’s infatuation with science and technology and the dangers of human hubris. Both Shelley and Scott reveal these values through the integration of literary and cinematic techniques …….. (To challenge the established values of their time... However the different time periods influenced the textual form, so the way these values are represented are different, and yet the same message is explored) The context of Frankenstein/ The modern Prometheus is the product of Industrialisation and Romanticism. The novel is ultimately emblematic of the Romantic era, and is in essence a revolt against the period of scientific development, that is Englightment. This period, to quote William Blake of the “dark, satanic mills” spread progress yet at the sacrifice of the natural world…….. Shelley’s cautionary tale is accentuated metaphorically through the tragic character of Victor who forms an obsession with science and technology, in his quest to create life. As Victor recounts his ordeals, his obsession with his project...
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...Victor Frankenstein and his “Monster;” an inspiration to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde When reading Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, if one pays attention to the gaps and inconsistencies of Victor Frankenstein’s narration of the events, one may begin to question the existence of Frankenstein’s monster, and come to realize Victor Frankenstein is really the monster. This isn’t how most would interpret the events that transpired in the book, but the possibility of Victor Frankenstein being the monster he fears, is entirely plausible. This Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde comparison is not as farfetched as one would initially think; there is enough evidence, contradiction of events, gaps, and inconsistencies in Victor Frankenstein’s narrative for an astute reader to connect the dots to reach such a conclusion. Victor Frankenstein, who is relating his tale to Captain Walton after being rescued in the Arctic, is sure that the creature he created actually existed. However, it is plausible to conclude that Victor never actually brought life to his creature, but had gone mad whilst attempting it. How did Victor become the monster he feared? Perhaps the exposure to hallucinatory chemicals he used while attempting to bring life to his creation, or because of overbearing stress, or his failure to succeed in his experiments. These elements, likely combined with Victor’s own awkward social failings, led Victor to experience a mental breakdown, go mad, or develop a split personality. In this scenario...
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...In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, the main character known as Victor Frankenstein falls ill many times throughout the story. Though most do not take notice to this, but each time Victor falls ill it “coincidentally” happens to be after a tragic event has occurred. Knowing that Victor does not do well under stress, it is safe to assume that the illnesses are due to being over worked and severely stressed, causing a shut down in the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to contracting serious illnesses. Not only does it show the impact of the stress but it allows for an excuse to not have to face society and daily issues. Many cases when viewed together demonstrate this terrible trend. In society, many people use illnesses...
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...The role of science is the modernization of the world, thus possessing a lot of power. The outcome and use of scientific progression depends solely on the scientist’s intentions of its use. Humanity should fear the power of the creator or the creation’s behavior due to its social, physical, mental and environmental health effects, if it is not used for the better of the community. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelly argues that the beast is dangerous because it symbolizes scientific technology; implying that the beast can impose threats to civilization. The author warns, that the beast can form independent consciousness and then turns upon society in an apocalyptic rage. Society becomes afraid of the monster and as a result, rejects it. This fear...
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...Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Key facts full title · Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus author · Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley type of work · Novel genre · Gothic science fiction language · English time and place written · Switzerland, 1816, and London, 1816–1817 date of first publication · January 1, 1818 publisher · Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones narrator · The primary narrator is Robert Walton, who, in his letters, quotes Victor Frankenstein’s first-person narrative at length; Victor, in turn, quotes the monster’s first-person narrative; in addition, the lesser characters Elizabeth Lavenza and Alphonse Frankenstein narrate parts of the story through their letters to Victor. climax · The murder of Elizabeth Lavenza on the night of her wedding to Victor Frankenstein in Chapter 23 protagonist · Victor Frankenstein antagonist · Frankenstein’s monster setting (time) · Eighteenth century setting (place) · Geneva; the Swiss Alps; Ingolstadt; England and Scotland; the northern ice point of view · The point of view shifts with the narration, from Robert Walton to Victor Frankenstein to Frankenstein’s monster, then back to Walton, with a few digressions in the form of letters from Elizabeth Lavenza and Alphonse Frankenstein. falling action · After the murder of Elizabeth Lavenza, when Victor Frankenstein chases the monster to the northern ice, is rescued by Robert Walton, narrates his story, and dies tense · Past foreshadowing · Ubiquitous—throughout...
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...In today's society people are always striving to be better, to eat healthier, and to expand our knowledge. Especially in the world of science, scientist are pushing past breaking points daily and doing the unimaginable from cryonics to test tube babies. Although these experiments bare the question, how far is too far? In Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein, she uses a hair-raising horror story to analyze the guidelines between life and death while also stressing the importance of the line between morals and scientific discovery. Frankenstein is a story about an ambitious scientist named Victor Frankenstein, who creates an unsightly brute in an unorthodox way. Even though Frankenstein was set in the 18th century, it still relates to the majority...
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