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...