Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley and ‘Bladerunner’, directed by Ridley Scott both present similar perspectives to humanities use of technology, despite being set more than 150 years apart. The contexts are different, yet the values and issues remain the same. Both Shelley and Scott explore what seemed possible at the time. The idea of creating life seemed possible at the time where science was beginning to explore new fields. This is also similar in Bladerunner, where Scott takes new technology from the 1980s and extrapolates these ideas into the future.
Frankenstein was published in 1818 at a time of the emerging Romantic Movement which highlighted the need for more open self expression. Imagination was seen as a powerful force which ‘went beyond the ordinary’ as to interpret and see the world afresh. It was also a period which focused on the importance of nature, the sublime, and focused on its awareness of the individual, which for Shelley, Victor Frankenstein as her example.

Shelley showed her admiration of the wild and natural world by directly referencing it in her work. Rugged and untamed landscapes and settings are evident in Frankenstein as Shelley uses descriptive language and imagery to represent to the reader of the sweeping landscapes which are stark, barren and majestic, “river raging among the rocks, and the dashing of waterfalls around, spoke of a power mighty as omnipotence.” These harsh and cold landscapes also mirror the cold and ruthless personalities each develop. These “wild and mysterious regions” also act as a metaphor to the characters loneliness and isolation. Victors is self-imposed and it is his obsession for revenge which drives him. In contrast, the monsters loneliness is imposed on him due to his ugliness that marks him as an outcast. Shelley’s focus on the natural world allows man to reach a higher plan of existence.

In bladerunner, which is directed by Ridley Scott, takes new technology and ideas from the 1980s and extrapolates them into the future. There is a contrast between Shelley and Scotts publications. Scott’s world is totally devastated by consumerism and urbanisation. He shows through the use of camera angles that by nearly 200 years on, the same worrying problems are still evident. Due to the dramatic changes in the 80’s, Scott sees bladerunner as a pessimistic view of the future.

Shelley and Scott both defy humanity through both of their characters representing god like characters. Victor and Tyrell both create creatures that defy the natural world and the laws of humanity. Both characters had different responses to their creations, Victor was disgusted and immediately rejected his creation, “the horror of that countenance... a thing”. Whereas Tyrell was delighted by his work and masterpiece if creating robot type figures who present signs of being human. Although, in contrast, Tyrell’s treatment of these replicants is about as cruel as victors rejection of the monster. While victor is trying to steal the secret to life, he instead creates a mockery of nature, “his yellowish skin scarcely covering the work of muscles and arteries beneath...” He is emotionally tortured by this creature and by his death; the natural order over man is restored.
Bladerunner too, mocks the natural world through its portrayal of mans dominance. The extreme long shot at the start of the film gives the audience a view of the urbanisation highlighted by the flames of fire, smoke, darkness and the constant rain which highlights the extent of the degrading environment. While Frankenstein shows an appreciation for nature, bladerunner merely mocks it. The use of low shots looking up to the massive advertisement airships and high shots looking down onto the people on the street represent the unimportance of man as technology takes over.
Tyrell’s building is symbolic of the pyramid of Giza and this is accentuated by the low shots looking up to the massive structure symbolising his god like figure.

The issue of abandonment is explored with the two texts. In Frankenstein, Shelley explores the positive human companionship through the examples of victor as an indulged child and the De lacey family whom are virtuous in their love. She also pursues the negative side which is shown through victor’s mum, who is caring for Elizabeth as a child, who in turn, turns ill and not long after dies. Also a dear friend of victor’s family, Justine who cared for victor’s family is brutally murdered. These events shaped victors world and left him in isolation and loneliness, although this was brought on by guilt, greed, revenge and self obsession. Guilt over creating this creature that has torn his life apart and murdered his family. Greed and hunger to seek vengeance on the monster. Revenge of the lives the monster took and knowing that he will perish in the attempt of revenging the lives lost. The idea of immortality and discovering the secret to life when creating the creature drove him to put every single bit of his life and soul into the making, with the result of him being utterly self absorbed and therefore abandoning his family and friends. Through Frankenstein’s greed and obsession he sins against humanity by keeping quiet over the true murdered of William, which resulted in other lives being lost.
In bladerunner, Deckard is seen to be abandoned and lonely. He has no family, little/no friends and the one person he falls for is a replicant, which is quite ironic as his job is to ‘retire’ replicants. We see the first signs that Deckard is a single man when he is sitting at a restaurant alone. We also get a view of the urbanised, Asian influenced society.
Many of the replicants are created, then abandoned, and sent to fend for themselves. For one replicant, Roy, he develops feelings and emotions far beyond the capabilities of the other replicants and the sudden realisation that he is alone after all the other replicants have been retired proves in favour for decka who is hanging off a building, with only Roy there to save him. Roy’s good nature and developed emotions and feelings lead him to save Deckard’s life. Yet in contrast, the emotions and feelings he developed allows him to come to the sad realisation that he is alone and powerless and in the end chooses to end his life. “Time to die”. He chose to save humanity, where as victor chose to destroy it. This is symbolic to Shelley’s core values of love, companionship and integrity.

Through the study of these two publications, we have seen the impact of technology being discovered in the 1800s, through to it being abused in the late 1900s. Mary Shelley chose to use technology to try and discover the secret to life, where as Ridley Scott used technology to destroy life and humanity. Through the techniques of imagery, descriptive language and symbolism we have discovered that both texts present similar perspectives on humanities use of technology despite being set over 150 years apart.