Comparative_Study

To what extent has your study of two comparative texts led to a greater understanding of the ways texts reflect the contexts in which they were composed whilst exploring universal concerns' Varying concerns affected the notions evident in Frankenstein and Blade Runner as influenced by the prominent events occurring in the lives of Mary Shelley and Ridley Scott. Although separated by a century it is evident that, preceding the comparative study of both texts, concerns of technological and scientific development were prevalent disconcerting ideas for Shelley and Scott. Both texts deal with the consequences of these advances and the responsibility we owe to the nature we destroy, as evident of the metaphorical reference to the parental responsibility of Victor Frankenstein and Tyrell to their creations. The audience are also confronted with the extent of the ostracism faced by individuals who appear to be different, influenced by the strict social codes of Shelley's time, extrapolated by Scott to reveal to the responders a greater understanding of the effects of being outcast and reflects the inner thoughts of those individual's concerns. To a great extent, both texts have displayed an effective portrayal of society's responsibility to accept their role as creators to the advancement of technology of the zeitgeists, metaphorically highlighted of parents' roles to their children (or creations). Shelley's personal life influenced this message as a lack of emotional and parental connection between herself and her father was evident in her life and her mother died giving birth to Shelley. Justified by Frankenstein's assessment of his parents that “…with deep consciousness of what they owed towards the being to which they had given life” but never had is an ironic foreshadowing displayed through Frankenstein's lack of parental responsibility which he displays. This is similarly portrayed in Blade Runner in terms of the lack of responsibility Tyrell expresses towards the replicants. Pris comments that “I think, therefore I am” as an ironic reference to the definition of being human, asserting the validity of her existence, persuading the responder to identify with her situation and accentuating that she should be cared for the same as any other 'creation'. Scott wanted to portray the message of the advancement in computers in his time, our creations are seen as an “experiment, nothing more”. This leads the creations down the path of destruction reflecting Mary Wollstonecraft's comment that “A great proportion of the misery that wanders in hideous forms...is allowed to rise from the negligence of parents”. Frankenstein and Tyrell need to accept their parental roles, a concern Scott brought to the fore once the change of computers becoming a household consumer item became apparent. Shelley found the emergence of technological advancements of the early nineteenth century were disconcerting as the acquired knowledge would be destructive towards nature. Frankenstein's metaphorical image of “I am a blasted tree…a miserable spectacle of wretched humanity” suggests that his destruction is a consequence of meddling with nature aligned with warnings that nature could unleash its full power of destruction (“thunderbust…I beheld a stream of fire issue from an old and beautiful oak…utterly destroyed”) if uncared for, justified by the imagery created to suggest humans avoid tampering with nature with scientific advancements. The description links to the opening, film noir style, scene of Blade Runner of the stream of fire is industrial rather than natural. Scott's portrayal of ecological rot and urban overcrowding, influenced by the predictions in the 1960's of the negative effects of overpopulation on humanity’s future, is set in a visual landscape which is saturated with social decay achieved through a number of wide angle shots which establish this as the natural environment. The mise en scene is a blending of culturally and architecturally dilapidated ruins and skyscrapers amongst acid rain, a prophecy of how Scott imagines the world in the future based on the world around him. Through a comparative study it is evident that juxtaposition is created in Frankenstein of the ideal beauty of the sublime, a Romantic ideal, so that we can witness nature's beauty without being overtaken by unchecked scientific developments. As we can see, the concerns of the time of the tumultuous changes occurring in society and their consequences through the Industrial Revolution are addressed to a large extent in these texts. The zeitgeist in which Shelley lived imposed strict codes on social class and status, also metaphori-cally displayed of individuals being outcast for their differences. Shelley has the monster observe society’s treatment of the Arabian visitor, noting that “without (unsullied descent…riches) he was considered …a vagabond and a slave”. The emotive word choice highlights Shelley’s social com-mentary on notions of class system, reflecting a Romantic view of social responsibility which in turn echoes Rousseau’s declaration that ‘Man is born free, but is everywhere in chains’. This forms a debate over the proposed abolition of slavery which was also evident at the time and challenges the basis of the government. The monster “gave vent to [his] anguish in fearful howlings” as a response to the ostracism people endure. This emotive reflection highlights the idea that if you are deemed different, society has no place for you. This notion is sustained in Blade Runner and by the idea stated by Joseph Francavilla that “These replicants function as mirrors for people, by allowing moral scrutiny of ourselves...and our treatment of other beings.”Indeed, in regard to the replicant experience, Batty comments, “That’s what it is to be a slave”. Scott and Shelley have used views of people of their time to a great extent to help highlight their social commentary such as William Godwin's “The superiority of the rich must inevitably expose them to oppression”. The overall idea that Scott witnessed of individuals who were deemed different were excluded emphasised by society leaving those who were not physically able for the off-world. The valuing of being unprejudiced against individuals was a concern Shelley and Scott strove for and explored to a great extent. Overall, preceding the comparative study of Blade Runner and Frankenstein, it is evident that they have implemented the fundamental faults they viewed of human nature. They compelled the audience to recognise these concerns and realise the dangers of scientific advancements. Heavily influenced by the destruction of nature Shelley and Scott observed they both dealt with the consequences of these advances and explored the responsibility we owe to it. This is accentuated metaphorically through the parental responsibility (or lack of) of Frankenstein and Tyrell grouped with the metaphorical reference to the extent of the ostracism faced by individuals who appear to be different, influenced to a great extent by the strict social codes of their times.