Frankenstein and Blade Runner: Similar Societal Concerns
Mary Shelley’s science fiction novel “Frankenstein” written in 1818 and “Bladerunner”, Ridley Scott’s 1982 cult classic film have nearly two hundred years separating them, yet they raise similar societal concerns.. Both raise the question of what it is to be human and explore the pursuit of eternal life which can be examined using the literary and cinematic techniques prevalent in the texts.
The existential question ‘What is it to be human?” despite context, continues to be relevant to society. In “Frankenstein” this is explored through Victor Frankenstein and the Creature. Written during the latter part of the Romantic period, Shelley is commenting on and reacting against the rational, scientific paradigms of the Enlightenment, placing emphasis on the Romantic traits Individualism, Imagination and Nature. Victor Frankenstein is very much endowed as the Gothic protagonist, being portrayed as a cold and distant character that is unquestionably a genius and dependent on natural sciences. In “Bladerunner” the creator, Tyrell, is portrayed in a similar fashion. The 1980s gave rise to capitalism and consumerism and thus the film lends itself to such qualities. Tyrell is also a detached character who is more concerned with creation than the consequences as seen in his statement “commerce is our goal here at Tyrell. ‘More human than human is our motto”. Both creators are highly revered which can be seen in the opening power shot of Tyrell’s ziggurat, pyramid shaped building towering over Earth and in Victor’s relationship with his family and Walton. These characters represent the scientific, rational aspects that both composers were reacting against, in turn providing a warning to society about the consequences of such thing. The opening prologue of “Bladerunner” displays certain hostility towards the Replicants. The words scroll across the black screen in an almost clinical way stating “Blade runner units had orders to shoot to kill…This was not called an execution.
The existential question ‘What is it to be human?” despite context, continues to be relevant to society. In “Frankenstein” this is explored through Victor Frankenstein and the Creature. Written during the latter part of the Romantic period, Shelley is commenting on and reacting against the rational, scientific paradigms of the Enlightenment, placing emphasis on the Romantic traits Individualism, Imagination and Nature. Victor Frankenstein is very much endowed as the Gothic protagonist, being portrayed as a cold and distant character that is unquestionably a genius and dependent on natural sciences. In “Bladerunner” the creator, Tyrell, is portrayed in a similar fashion. The 1980s gave rise to capitalism and consumerism and thus the film lends itself to such qualities. Tyrell is also a detached character who is more concerned with creation than the consequences as seen in his statement “commerce is our goal here at Tyrell. ‘More human than human is our motto”. Both creators are highly revered which can be seen in the opening power shot of Tyrell’s ziggurat, pyramid shaped building towering over Earth and in Victor’s relationship with his family and Walton. These characters represent the scientific, rational aspects that both composers were reacting against, in turn providing a warning to society about the consequences of such thing. The opening prologue of “Bladerunner” displays certain hostility towards the Replicants. The words scroll across the black screen in an almost clinical way stating “Blade runner units had orders to shoot to kill…This was not called an execution.