Hi, for our english essay we are required to talk about how a comparative study of Frankenstein and Blade Runner creates a greater awareness of ethical concerns. I'm mainly going to talk about playing God, the dystopic world as a result of science and the hubris of the creators. Could I get any ideas or help? This is what I have so far as my opening paragraphs:
A comparative study of Frankenstein and Blade Runner creates a greater awareness of ethical concerns through representations of romantic ideals, science and the responsibilities of power. Both Shelley and Scott portray these issues contextually and although separated by more than a century, the ethical concerns forewarned by Shelley in Frankenstein are ever-present, reinforced and compounded in the Blade Runner universe.
Shelley’s novel was influenced by the romantic movement and the emphasis placed on nature by society, using this to warn against scientific advancement and the damage this could have to our connection to the natural world. Shelley uses Frankenstein as a forewarning of the dangers of attempting to play God and the resulting aftermath of the aforementioned over-ambitious quest for power. Frankenstein comes to understand the pitfalls of his relentless pursuit of knowledge at the expense of others, stating, “how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge”. This is a pressing problem that Shelley, as a romanticist, warned us about throughout the text.
The ethical impact of attempting to play god is further exemplified in Blade Runner where humanity has gone against Shelley’s romantic 19th century ideals and placed a scientific, technological emphasis on a now dystopian world. The excessive use of technology and subsequently lack of connection to nature epitomizes Tyrell’s hubris and lack of empathy towards his creations, as he is disconnected from them and focused on his own personal gain at the expense of the replicants. This is manifested when he tells the protagonist, Deckard, “Commerce is our goal here at Tyrell”, suggesting a complete lack of ethical consideration for the replicants he has created, adding a slight pause after commerce to further emphasize this to Deckard.
Any help would be much appreciated.
A comparative study of Frankenstein and Blade Runner creates a greater awareness of ethical concerns through representations of romantic ideals, science and the responsibilities of power. Both Shelley and Scott portray these issues contextually and although separated by more than a century, the ethical concerns forewarned by Shelley in Frankenstein are ever-present, reinforced and compounded in the Blade Runner universe.
Shelley’s novel was influenced by the romantic movement and the emphasis placed on nature by society, using this to warn against scientific advancement and the damage this could have to our connection to the natural world. Shelley uses Frankenstein as a forewarning of the dangers of attempting to play God and the resulting aftermath of the aforementioned over-ambitious quest for power. Frankenstein comes to understand the pitfalls of his relentless pursuit of knowledge at the expense of others, stating, “how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge”. This is a pressing problem that Shelley, as a romanticist, warned us about throughout the text.
The ethical impact of attempting to play god is further exemplified in Blade Runner where humanity has gone against Shelley’s romantic 19th century ideals and placed a scientific, technological emphasis on a now dystopian world. The excessive use of technology and subsequently lack of connection to nature epitomizes Tyrell’s hubris and lack of empathy towards his creations, as he is disconnected from them and focused on his own personal gain at the expense of the replicants. This is manifested when he tells the protagonist, Deckard, “Commerce is our goal here at Tyrell”, suggesting a complete lack of ethical consideration for the replicants he has created, adding a slight pause after commerce to further emphasize this to Deckard.
Any help would be much appreciated.
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