Question: In what ways does a comparative study outline

the distinctive contexts of Frankenstein and Blade Runner?

Thesis: The parallels between Frankenstein and Blade Runner
suggests that texts reflect the values of their context and their
comparative study suggests similar ideas resonate in differing
context
Idea 1: The blurring of the line between human and other life-form
(bring in advancement of technology, Galvanis experiment)
Idea 2: Warns against the blind pursuit of knowledge that lacks
moral framework (bring in context of romanticism, capitalism

Shelley uses her novel as a medium of social criticism to

suggest that humanity is regressing and losing
characteristics, which define us a human. In the context of
significant scientific advancement, Shelley blurs the line
between the creator, Victor Frankenstein, and the created,
the Monster to contradict the contextual belief that
humanity is superior to other beings. She uses visual
imagery, endowed with a figure hideously deformed and
loathsome, to suggests that the monster appears nonhumanlike and she further emphasis this point through the
metaphor, might infuse a spark of being in to the lifeless
thing, hinting at Galvanis demonstration of the electrical
basis of nerve impulses, to show that the monster is
created, not born; therefore, clearly stating that monster
isnt human. However, Shelleys initial portrayal of the
monster contradicts this, by displaying its tolerance of
mistreatment and appreciation for knowledge, as the
emotive language in, what chiefly struck me was the
gentle manners of these people, represents the monster
with ideal human qualities of humility, empathy and
tolerance. On the other hand, her portrayal of Victor, using
optimistic tone in excellent natures would owe their
blessing to me, hints towards selfish desire to create life
and furthermore, Shelley also demonstrates the
consequences of being a creator in a context of natural
order, whereby the Christian theology reserved the role for

creating for god, as seen by the rhetorical question,

such infinite pains and care I have endeavored to form?
highlighting moral isolation that Frankenstein has
descended from is a cause of his obsession in creation.
Due to this presented paradigm shift, Shelley has provided
a cautionary tale by the challenging the status quo of her
context, displaying the loss of humanity and questioning
our superiority.
Like Shelley, Scoot questions what it is that makes us
human, in the context of technological progress, and also
warns about the consequences of overdependence on
technology. Scott makes the replicants, more human than
humans, by providing them with emotion, but in contrast
creates selfish humans to compare idealistic human
qualities with state of humanity in Scotts society. To
portray the replicants with idealistic qualities, Scott
highlights the purpose of the Voight-Kampff test, provoke
emotional response and this is seen through the
indecisive body language of Leon when presented with an
ethically disturbing situation during his test, which shows
that replicants have empathy and are aware of the social
consequences of their action, at least in the beginning.
While on the other hand humans are presented to lack
cohesion and be self-centered, as seen through the
emotive language in the dialogue, either a benefit or a
hazard. If theyre a benefit, its not my problem, which
shows Deckards obedience to orders without
consideration of social impacts. This juxtaposition
comments on the loos of humanity as man has become
blinded by his ardent desire for economic success,
reflecting an imminent concern in Scotts society.
Furthermore, in the concluding scenes of the directors
cut, Scott strategically frames a paper unicorn when
Deckard is making his way out of the apartment to
suggest that the unicorn day dream is a merely a planted
memory, thus, creating doubt about whether Deckard is

human and also suggesting that humanity is regressing

itself to a robot-like state due to its overdependence of
technology.
Shelley reflects the context of Romanticism by warning
against the blind pursuit of knowledge that lacks moral
frame works. By offering a strong humanistic and social
critique through the contrast of nature with science to
suggest that despite the advancement in technology, the
boundaries between god and humanity must be
maintained, echoing the Prometheus hubris. Victors
attempt to push beyond accepted human limits, as seen
by the metaphor described myself as always longing to
penetrate the secrets of nature shows his search for
forbidden knowledge despite possible repercussion and
presented to be a romantic visionary, as seen by use of
hubris in a new species would bless me as its creator,
presenting his ambition of using imagination to create
ideal human beings. However, Shelley is critical of the
over use of intellect and rationality to the extent of
obsession by presenting a struggle between science and
nature, as seen accumulation of seasonal changes,
winter, summer and spring past but did not watch the
blossom on the leaves shows the psychological
deterioration of Victor due to the struggle between science
and nature. By presenting Victor with torturous
consequences, as seen by her use of symbolic referencing
in shut in, however, by ice, which is reminiscent of
Dantes description of the innermost circle of hell in The
Inferno, Shelley is resonating the Romanticist value of
challenging neo-classism values and supporting the values
of individuality. Furthermore by serving Victors tale as a
caution to Walton to temper his own ambition, as seen by
the metaphor hope that the gratification of your wishes
may not be to sting you, Shelley is questioning the
unchecked imagination and extreme focus on the

individual, emphasising upon the importance of ethical

consideration in all areas.
Similarly, Scott condemns the path of unchecked scientific
progress by offering a didactic tale about the
consequences of human actions. Scotts characterization
of Tyrell, similar to Shelleys portrayal of Victor, shows him
attempting to take overall the role of god, and this is
made evident by wide-angle shot and dim lighting
displaying Tyrell closing the curtain to fill the room with
darkness, which suggests that he has the ability to control
night and day, a power only possessed by god. However,
Tyrells motive for creating an artificial lifeform is different
from Victors and this is clearly demonstrated through the
dialogue, commerce is our goal, which establishes that
Tyrells drive is economic gain and reflecting the capitalist
context of Reaganomics. To display the impact of such
actions without social considerations, Scoot uses film noir
effect created by dark setting and non diegetic music to
show the commercialized cityscape with a absence of
nature, which suggests that the dystopian world is devoid
of beauty, where nature is replaced by technology, thus,
hinting that corruption is a result of advancements in
technology. To further emphasis upon his criticism of
elements of capitalism, he uses mis-en-scene of dark
alleyways and onslaught of acid rain, clearly
demonstrating that environment has become the casualty
of greed, and showing the effects of unrestrained
industrialization.