

Analysis Of Bbc Documentary, Texts In Time: Comparing Frankenstein And Blade Runner

903 words - 4 pages

The DVD cover for the BBC documentary “Texts in Time: Comparing Frankenstein and Blade Runner” visually represents the central themes shown in Mary Shelley’s 1818 gothic novel, Frankenstein and Ridley Scott’s 1992 Science Fiction film “Blade Runner: The Directors Cut” (hereinafter referred to as “Blade Runner”).
The different fonts portray the different times the texts originate from. The font used for Frankenstein symbolises gothic literature – the genre of Frankenstein, this was a popular form of writing that arose during the 19th century. The font used for “Blade Runner” is symbolic of movement and progress of society shown in the futuristic setting of “Blade Runner”, the ideas shown in ...view middle of the document...

This mirrors the return to traditional morals and Christianity occurring in the 1980’s as Reaganism was highly influential. The placement of the creations above the creators also portrays the idea that the creations are superior to their creators. This idea is analysed in Frankenstein by the monster, “You are my creator, but I am your master – obey!” The creation has replaced the creator as master and superior. It can also be seen in “Blade Runner” through a sequence of low angle shots of Roy as he kills Tyrell. The creation has ascended his creator and taken his power. The use of placement, lines and colour on the DVD cover portray the theme of broken relationships between creator and creation in the texts.
Frankenstein and “Blade Runner” explore the nature of humanity and this is portrayed on the front cover through use of extreme close-up shots of and intended juxtaposition between the creators and creations eyes. However, there is no strong difference between the eyes and this is symbolic of the blurred definition of a human. The cover also utilises the recurring motif, in both texts, of the eye. The nature of humanity is explored by Victor in Frankenstein, “… these luxuriance’s only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes…” Shelley utilises juxtaposition to contrast the perfect aspects with the ugly aspects of the creature, focusing on the eyes. The fear and disgust for things unnatural shows the influence of Romanticism on Shelley’s writing. The theme is also explored through Pris and Roy’s conversation with J.F. Sebastian where Pris quotes Descartes, “I think, Sebastian, therefore I am.” This makes the audience question the definition of human and implies that replicants are free thinking, have reason and consciences’ thus...

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