...Similar issues, explored in different contexts, may reflect changes in values and perspectives. How is this 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...
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...initiative. Correspondingly, the novel Tyrell, has the same situations that some teens may have in their life. Tyrell, the main character, goes through hard patches and literally has no role models. He lives in an unfortunate environment, his mother and little brother move around from motel to motel, whatever seems fit from the EAU. His mother doesn't fill any of the empty holes in his heart nor does his father, they both are what drives Tyrell into doing what he does. His little brother though, Tyrell cherishes him and wants what's best for...
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...Shelley’s gothic novel Frankenstein and Scott’s film Blade Runner explore similar issues in vastly different contexts. They present the same issues; governed by the same values and perspectives. Both explore a dilemma that continues to be significant in the 21st century: the ethical and moral tension between the fear of humanity’s abuse of technology and the incredible potential for technology to extend life and even defy death. Shelley and Scott have crafted texts that portray individuals who challenged the established values of their time by considering the consequences to individuals who use technology to create life. These texts both emphasise the negative effect of progress on humanity and the natural environment through the use of language and visual forms and features. In Shelley’s novel, the exciting potential of technology that was becoming apparent in the nineteenth century had fascinated the young scientist Frankenstein. Desiring to challenge morality, he uses his new-found knowledge to fashion a creature out of human body parts who has great strength, but whose appearance is so monstrous that Frankenstein flees his laboratory in terror. The persona of Victor depicts humanities further obsession and greed for knowledge and power as he isolates himself from society. He marvels ‘It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desire to learn’ uses of the juxtaposition of heaven and earth shows Victor’s understanding of the implication of his actions. Shelley uses the...
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...controls whom. In the year 2019, Los Angeles is an acid-rain drizzling space crowded with punk gangs, physically disabled and many Hispanic and Asian people (Galagher 170). The streets are populated yet deserted, those who live there are those left behind and unable, physically and financially, to escape to the new colonies in space (Tiltsman 32). Therefore, these people that remain in the city are either of poorer-class or of upper class that have established themselves through their residences or commercial corporations. This is shown by those in the upper class of this society who live in massive high-rise buildings, while those of poorer classes live in run-down remnants of abandoned buildings (Clapp 8). The first time the audience sees the Tyrell Corporation, it is shot through wide-angle lenses and is shown to be very luxurious and bright in contrast with the over-crowded dark and dirty streets below. The class divide seen in...
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...Frankenstein/Bladerunner In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818) and Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner (1982) humanity’s manipulation of nature paradoxically erodes the human spirit and compromises integrity. Although contextually disparate, both texts explore a creator’s need to take responsibility for his creation, cautioning responders of the dangers of unrestrained scientific progress and conveying humanity’s severed relationship with nature. Where Shelley communicates with a certain ambiguity characteristic of the contradictory Age of Reason and sets her tale against a backdrop of a sublime natural world, Scott portrays a society fuelled by ecological destruction and 1980s corporate abuse. This reflects each composer’s anchoring of their visions in the socio-cultural realities of their time; a fundamental transgression of human values over time. Both texts explore the dangers of uninhibited scientific progress. In Frankenstein, Shelley fashions a gothic world where nature is tampered with and a ‘hurricane of enthusiasm’ drives the protagonist towards abandoning his conscience, prompting Shelley’s valuing of moderation. Underpinned by the Industrial Revolution and an era of scientific change, Victor embodies the obsessive passions and Romantic ego-identities of 19th century scientists. The epistolatory narrative framework adds a disquieting sense of truth to Victor’s retrospective dialogue, “how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge,” reflecting his Promethean disobedience...
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...biological, social, and emotional issues at the early stages of his cognitive and moral development. The observation takes place at Tyrell’s school. I am going to apply Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological approach, and Kohlberg’s theory of moral development as it applies to my case study. Besides, I will give an insight of the stages that Tyrell has undergone thus far. In Tyrell’s case environmental issues played a major part in his early development. Tyrell is an African American boy that is 8.6 years old in the 2nd grade. The school he attends is P.S. 36 in Manhattan. He is asthmatic. Tyrell is currently being raised by his mother. His father is incarcerated for assault and robbery. Tyrell recently lived with his grandmother. He is currently living in a shelter with his mother. Tyrell attended the same school since pre-k. He has seen a lot of his friends go on to the 3rd grade while he remains in 2nd grade. Tyrell has a displacement issue at home because he lives in a shelter. Tyrell likes basketball. Tyrell aspires to be a basketball player. He has been held over in the 2nd grade, and he has apprehensions about doing it a second time around. Also, Tyrell has difficulty staying on task, and he has acting out behaviors. According to Bronfenbrenner, development occurs through increasingly complex process of regular, active, two-way interaction between the developing person and the immediate, everyday environment (Bohlin,...
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...classifying them as humans. Tyrell, the creator of the replicants, put a four-year life span in them as a safety precaution. When Roy approaches Tyrell and asks him for more time to live Tyrell responds with, “The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long - and you have burned so very, very brightly, Roy. Look at you: you're the Prodigal Son; you're quite a prize”. What Tyrell means is that he gave Roy incredible qualities as an alternative to a longer life. Tyrell does not want to give Roy or any of the other replcicants a longer life span because he feels that they only need to serve their purpose for a set amount of time. Tyrell may seem like a good person by creating the replicants and giving them life. Unfortunately, the life he is giving them is a hopeless one. Life is supposed to be filled with opportunity for growth and happiness. Replicants such as Roy have no ability to grow or be happy. The short four years they have are meant for non-stop work to help earth. Tyrell is a villain for giving out a life that has no future or opportunity. Another example of Tyrell being a monster is the new replicant he creates after the Nexus-6. Tyrell implants memories from real humans into the replicants. This makes the replicants think they had parents, siblings and even a childhood. Tyrell’s assistant Rachel, is the newest model of replicants. She believes she is a human but is unaware that she has memories from Tyrell’s niece. As stated before Tyrell is giving a false sense...
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...For the past two weeks I’ve been reading a book entitled Tyrell. The author of the novel is Coe Booth. This was an extremely interesting book in my opinion. Genres included in the text were realistic fiction and fantasy. The two complimented the story really well. It’s a story about a teen that’s homeless, and feels money is the only way out. He plans to have a party, but it seemed he would end up like his father in jail. Though the odds are against him, Tyrell makes it out with more money than expected. Within the story I made a connection with the main character. His name is Tyrell Daniels. Tyrell is the oldest brother of two children, and a very responsible young man. He tries his best to remain calm and handle business while his father is away. Tyrell changes from static to dynamic by the end of the story. He does the right thing when he tells his best friend Calvin that he can’t bring drugs into the party area. I can identify with the character when he gets tired of feeling like the parent to his younger brother Troy. Another character is Troy, Tyrell’s younger brother. Troy is seven years old in the first grade, and because his mother likes to receive his SSI checks she keeps him in the PEC program. One more character is Jasmine. She is in the same situation as Tyrell, who becomes one of his closest companions. She’s a brace face acnified, thick sized, Puerto Rican. Despite all of these problems, she’s perceptually a beautiful young lady. The setting of...
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...Tyrell’s ethical right to make healthcare decisions According to ethical principles of health care that we apply in our everyday practices, Tyrell and his parents’ rights should be respected based on autonomy and nonmaleficence. With regards to autonomy, every patient has a right to make the decision based on the information provided them by the healthcare team (Guido, 2014). Tyrell and his parents had been furnished with adequate information to make informed decisions regarding his treatment. The Physician and the Healthcare team informed them about the risks and the benefits of the chemotherapy and should allow them to make their own decisions even if the physician and his team do not agree with their decisions. In fact, there are different...
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...Pursuit of Knowledge • “I continued to read with the greatest avidity” – Frankenstein while reading Cornelius Agrippa (outdated and disproven alchemist) • “In a scientific pursuit there is continued food for discovery and wonder” – Frankenstein reason • “My nights of the study of mathematics, the theory of medicine, and these branches of physical science from which a naval adventure might derive the greatness practical advantage” – Walton • “I can hardly describe to you the effect of these books” – Creature on the significance of books • “Oh, that some encouraging voice would answer in the affirmative!” – Walton asking for affirmation • “God like science” – Creature referring to language • “How dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow” – Victor Frankenstein • “I cannot describe to you the agony that these reflections inflicted upon me; I tried to dispel them, but sorrow only increased with knowledge” – Creature Nature, Religion and the Sublime • “Their child, the innocent and helpless creature bestowed on them by heaven” – Frankenstein referring to an idealist himself in the eyes of his parents • “Change of place, some relief from my intolerable sensations” – Frankenstein • “...and I ceased to fear or to bend before any being less almighty than that which had created and ruled the elements” – Frankenstein referring to God...
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...Similarly, Scott shows that the value of science in his twentieth century, post-modernist context is bought about by a warped sense of morality and humanity. Tyrell himself concedes to the film’s protagonist, Deckard, “Commerce is our goal here at Tyrell. More human than human is our motto.” The noun, “commerce,” clearly exemplifies Tyrell’s own lack of humanity as he values profit over human emotion and compassion, while the materialistic reference to manufacturing beings with more “humanity” than real “humans,” raises questions about what constitutes humanity. This is a post-modern theme, as the post-modern movement of Scott’s context was instilled with uncertainties regarding faith in science and human values, and he plays upon these uncertainties to more thoroughly portray his anxieties about the future. This warped sense of vision and its connection to the destruction of nature is further emphasised by the use of props, specifically through Tyrell and the interior of his buildings. Tyrell himself wears glasses, a prop which symbolically represents his perverted values, and characterises him as being more concerned with commerce and profit, values of Scott’s context, than with the preservation of humanity and the natural world. Like Shelley’s creature, the Replicants, demonstrate basic human needs and values, those which the ‘real humans,’ have lost. This is exemplified through the characterisation of Roy as merciful, sympathetic, fearful and affectionate, demonstrated by...
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...the wellbeing of society takes place offstage while on the road to fetch the young prince after the death of the king. Back at the castle, a messenger arrives to tell Queen Elizabeth what had transpired on the road: “ Lord Rivers and Lord Grey are sent to Pomfret,/ And, with them, Sir Thomas Vaughan, prisoners” (Shakespeare 123). This, of course, was orchestrated by Richard, who did it not for the good of England, but for himself. However, easily the most grotesque and pertinent example of Richard placing his own desire for power over the wellbeing of his country comes in the fourth act. Richard calls James Tyrell to his court because he has heard that Tyrell is a mercenary willing to do anything. Richard informs Tyrell of his targets: “Why then, thou has it. Two deep enemies,/ Foes to my rest, and my sweet sleep’s disturbers,/ Are they that I would have thee deal upon./ Tyrell, I mean those bastards in the Tower” (Shakespeare, 211). This murder works as a double shock to the audience, as Richard has the audacity to murder both of the rightful heirs to the throne that he illegitimately sits, and as the princes are merely boys. Such heinous acts against one’s country for personal gain, with complete disregard to its welfare solidify Richard as evil according to Shakespeare. It is interesting to note that Richard’s most heinous act in Richard III is also his least violent. At the beginning of Richard III, the current king, King Edward, is very sick. King Edward knows he will probably...
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...Blade Runner Critique ENG225: Introduction to Film (GSK1442C) Professor Brad Waltman November 16, 2014 The film Blade Runner is an outstanding example of the science fiction genre of film. The film uses it’s futuristic setting, combined with the plot of a policeman hunting down illegal and violent androids, to set the stage for a truly thought provoking film. The viewer is exposed to new ideas about morality and the boundaries of technology. Blade Runner is widely regarded as a pioneer film in the science fiction subgenre of “cyberpunk” and its dystopian style has influenced dozens, if not hundreds of films since it’s release. The style, message and distinct futuristic darkness of Blade Runner is an outstanding part of the science fiction genre and a fascinating example of movie making. Blade Runner was released in 1982 and much of its distinct personality comes from the unique people involved in the film, both in front of, and behind the camera. Ridley Scott directed the film and is revolves around one of his favorites elements, artificial intelligence. Blade Runner is regarded is a Scott classic, and displays the elements that audiences expect from one of his films. Jordan Cronenweth worked as the film’s cinematographer and was regarded as one of the best in the industry, even years after his death. Cronenweth’s dark and moody work provided much of the noire and intrigue of Blade Runner. The film stared Harrison Ford as the not too heroic main character...
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...Chancellor Instructor Hubbard Liba 102 “Multifaceted” Hampton Fincher and David Webb Peoples’ complex screenplay and Ridley Scott’s use of film noir combine together to produce Roy Batty, a character out of Blade Runner, whose diverse personality reflects Jesus Christ, Adam, and Lucifer. As a result, Roy Batty, is much more multifaceted than the heartless, man killing machine that is seen at first glance by an audience. Because Roy reflects Jesus Christ, Adam, and Lucifer, three religious icons, there is an unlimited amount of religious subtext in the film Blade Runner. Hampton Fincher and David Webb Peoples use these religious allegories to hinder a direct and understandable message from the film’s narrative. Therefore, Fincher and Peoples took their complex writing to a deeper level than most screen writers by denying the audience a straightforward interpretation of Roy Batty. One example is the allegory of the creation story and the fall of man. Parallels from the creation story are seen time and time again throughout the film, which is one way Roy’s character relates to the Biblical character, Adam (Gravett, pg. 38). In the Bible, Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil as it is stated in Genesis 2: 16-17: “And the LORD God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.’"...
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...·Both stories contain a very intelligent creator who seems unaware of the forces that they are dealing with -They are both fascinated with human life and wish to create it themselves. Victor Frankenstein states, "One of the phenomena which had peculiarly attracted my attention was the structure of the human frame, and, indeed, any animal endued with life. Whence, I often asked myself did the principle of life proceed?" -Both creators share a fascination with where life proceeds from. Is it merely intellect? Or, as in the case of Blade Runner, are emotions the defining element of human life -Both creators are expressly interested in creating a life form equal to human and Tyrell even wishes to create a life form superior to man ·Both stories share a central theme, that the acquirement of too much knowledge is dangerous -Throughout Frankenstein, the reader is left with the feeling that Victor's obsessive desire to defeat nature, through the creation of another life, directly led to the many tragedies that befell him, "Learn from me, if not by my precept, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow" -In Blade Runner, the Replicants have been granted an intellect superior to their human counterparts. Are the Replicants revered or given special treatment because of this? No, in fact, they are treated...
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