Posted: January 1st, 2020
Frankenstein and Blade Runner
FRANKENSTEIN AND BLADE RUNNER EXAM NOTES Module A: Comparative study of texts and context. Comparative: compare and contrast Context: EVERYTHING, values and perspectives ANALYSING MOVIES Cinematographic Editing Frame composition Colour/group/shade Sound/ music Script/dialogue Acting qualities. EXPLAIN How frank represents the context of 1818 are both warnings to the evil of technology And blade runner context of 1982 BLADE RUNNER CONTEXT Ridley Scott is reflecting values by reacting against them.
The biggest link that both are dealing with besides the excesses of sciences. -consumerism -industrialism topics being reflected in blade runner -greed -development at any cost Post war era, out of the Vietnam War . Computer industries booming and Ridley scott reflects this throughout the movie. Los Angeles is filled chosen as an example of industrialism. Economic rationalism- states that the economy dictates everything that happens in society.
The Reagan& the Thatcher administration created a free economy whereby the government had less intervention with businesses this in turn created a great class distinction where the rich became richer and the poor became poorer. This idea is reflected in the movie by the idea of “onworld” and “offworld” lands where only the rich can afford to live away from the dead earth. Thatcherism- philosophy that anything that technologically advances is good anything that prohibits otherwise is bad.
Industrialism – A dwarfing feeling is conveyed through the camera looking up towards the buildings and this further expresses the industrialism that has conquered this society. it is constantly repeated throughout the movie. Chose Los Angeles as a symbol of American industrialisation and technology, as a result of this you had the emerging environmental movement Both texts have a deep suspicion about the dangers of science and technology and what will happen if sci and tech will continue without control Consumerism- coke, Atari etc are all symbols of consumerism
FRANKENSTEINS CONTEXT 1818 – Frankenstein, romantic period 1780-1830 FOLLOWING age of enlightenment (rationalism) beginning of the industrial age: Head and heart knowledge Objectivity vs. subjectivity ENLIGHTENMENT- a period where reasoning and knowledge was central to authority (Rationalism) ROMANTICISM- a reaction to enlightenment, and the scientific rationalization of nature. The influences in context within Frankenstein (1818): “Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example… who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow”- showing the dangers of enthusiasm which is common to enlightenment writers.
In the 1831 edited version, language which sounds obsessive and uncontrollable is added. Frankenstein expresses more emotion and it reveals a more romantic spirit. The change in rhetoric was to show the dangers of romantic egotism and not to show the dangers of science. However this is irrelevant in the sense that the change represents both sides to her context. The period of enlightenment and romanticism. INDUSTRIALSATION- all about urbanisations and the growth of big cities, before this was a close link to nature. Not so much about urbanisation but more about unlimited technology.
Frankenstein has the rural theme with most characters out in the Alps chasing the monster etc. * Romanticism is the birth of a new sensibility, key elements is a growth in notions of individual consciousness- meaning being aware of individual consciousness and hence individual imagination. Having a man create a replicant human being and the amazing way frank wanted to learn the secret of life. Unaided with any assistance could learn language and everything else. – Very superior communication skills * Dangers of experimental science in which humanity is not its goal. The need for love and nurturing. * She clearly reflects aspects of her context, in that a small group of women such as her mother were the forerunners of the feminist movement. Starting to fight that group later be known as the suffragettes. She represents strong feminist views; it’s an analysis when men try to procreate without a woman. She is parodying expressed by the male romantics about the world of love and romance. Quite deliberate that the significant emotional attachments are with men: Frank- monster Clerval
Walton WHAT CAN BE DISCUSSED A) CONCERN ABOUT SCEINCE AND DEVELOPMENT I) F + CONTEXT II) BR+ CONTEXT B) ONTOLOGICAL QUESTION WHAT IS A HUMAN BEING LIVING LONGER. VALUE OF LIFE AND FOR LIFE. C) MORAL CHOICES D) NEED FOR LOVE FAMILY AND EMPATHY E) JUDGING PEOPLE BY APPEARANCE – I) made the monster as a playmate for himself and turns out to be a hideous deformed ugly monster. Rejects him on the basis of appearance II) Replicants purely by their eyes – Frankenstein hated the monster because of its eyes. Exposes terror
