Frankenstein and Blade Runner Essay

Blade Runners Eldon Tyrell proclaims the companys motto as more human race than human. How has the nonion of humanity been explored in Frankenstein and Blade Runner? Thesis The nature of humanity is progression, when we progress too far we play graven image and lose basic traits of humanity. Mary Shelleys Frankenstein draws on concerns from the romantics era to illustrate the instinctive and greedy appetite for progression that is part of the nature of humanity. Furthermore Ridley Scotts Blade Runner touches on Shelleys notions of danger in human enterprise and the uncontrollable drive of scientific evolution.These texts critically inquire into the follies of greed, and moral corruption. notwithstanding there being over 150 years between their compositions these texts similarly represent the consequences of playing God, and in turn the wrong of humanity that goes with it. The common thematic concerns of these texts are explored through the use of camera angles, imagery, tone a nd parable. Both Frankenstein and Blade Runner portray how the ambition to break through human limitations in an doing to play God is bound to result in failure.The religious imagery used when Frankenstein grants the spark of life upon the Creature in his effort to pour a torrent of light into our dark world helps us come to the conclusion that the Creature is the very embodiment of the monstrosity that humans are capable of creating. The metaphor of light in, until from the midst of this darkness a sudden light broke in upon me conveys Victors instinctive awakening to the possibility of creating a staring(a) being impervious to diseases.Such an unmentionable act trespasses the realm of the godlike providence, signifying the beginning of Frankensteins blindness. He is quick to realise that he has created a monster, as shown by the regretful tone in, I beheld the wretch the miserable monster whom I had created. This depicts that untamed human ambition can lead to the inadvertent universe of the grotesque when playing a human God. Similarly in Blade Runner, the dystopian world demonstrates the aftermath of humanitys desire to create a better society when playing God.The opening panoramic shot portrays a decaying city dominated by industrial buildings. This decaying city works in partnership with the recurring motif of artificial neon lighting and eerie sounds to create a cold dark ambience. Blade Runners shadowy atmosphere is symbolic of the lack of warmth, affection and family which has been created by the human need of progression. Such technological defeat indicates humanity has gone too far, resulting in complete ravaging of nature.Furthermore Tyrells malicious need for god like power over the replicants he creates is shown when he states If we gift them with a past, we create a weaken or a pillow for their emotions, and consequently, we can control them better. The incessant need for supremacy displayed depicts an obvious intention to play God an d appropriately, the human beings in this transpose future seem artificial and lacking humanity. Both texts warn the audience about the dangers of human ambition to progress in science which holds the capacity for not only devastating the environment but also humanity itself.The two texts comment on mankinds loss of humanity. Shelley depicts this theme through the wave-particle duality between the creature and Victor, his creator. The creature is able to show basic human instincts as it relates to the pleasant showers and genial warmth of nature on its transit through the wilderness. In contrast, Victor shows insensibility to (natures) charms while creating the creature by containing himself in a deep dark deathlike solitude, this alliteration is nonliteral of Victors inability to relate to nature and display basic human qualities which the creature can.This directly relates to the romantic era, when Shelley wrote Frankenstein and that the appreciation of nature was considered in separable from the human experience. Therefore, this dichotomy is metaphoric of mankinds loss of humanity. Scott reinforces mankinds loss of humanity through the execution of the Tyrell Corporations motto more human than human. The loss of humanity can be seen in the contrast between replicants and humans.Pris is wearing a bridal gown while hiding from Deckard this is metaphoric of the replicants ability to odor emotions of love and familial belonging, a basic human instinct which the humans of this world are unable to feel. J. F Sebastians ironic dialogue I make friends, theyre toys, my friends are toys shows that humans no longer have real families and have lost the ability to develop relationships naturally. Contrasted again by sappys howl of pain at the death of Pris, this is symbolic of the familial bonds and relationships formed between replicants.Not only does this comparison establish the motto more human than human as a truism, it is symbolic of Scott building upon Shell eys original depiction of mankinds loss of humanity thus reinforcing her monition against the amoral pursuit of science and technology. Shelley and Scott draw upon the concerns of their times the characters warn us that overstepping our boundaries and unrestrained scientific advancement comes with a consequence. The texts critically inquire into the human ability to clothe monstrous deeds in the name of progression.It is evident that despite their contextual differences, both texts are linked through their common concerns about our intrinsical readiness to abandon that which distinguishes humans from all other species. Perhaps the underlying message of these texts is that despite the things we create being a reflection of ourselves and our societies, it is ultimately our creations that lick us and who we are. This is illustrated by Winston Churchills words we shape the things we build, thereafter they shape us.