Since the communist era, the concept of conformity has been tested on humans thinking it would bring a sort of comfort. These regimes rapidly crumbled due to their often authoritarian nature. Following these dictatorships, we often associate conformity with misery. Similarly, in Edward Scissorhands, through the characterization of Peg Boggs, the symbolism of Edward’s castle home and the change in Edward’s behaviour, director Tim Burton rejects conformity since it leads to fakeness, boredom, and corruption and, instead, promotes the benefits of authenticity and old habits.
By depicting Peg Boggs as the typical inhabitant of a conformist society, Burton generalizes her characteristics to the entire city, since everyone is essentially the same,
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Her career consisting of selling Avon products aptly exemplifies this singular focus. Moreover, while selling these goods, she does not represent herself but the brand: “Avon Calling” (Edward Scissorhands); representing a brand instead of herself as a person proves the extremity of these social orders in an individualistic society. Again, her capitalistic values surface with the name of her husband, Bill, who represents money and the family’s breadwinner. With money, the materialistic members of this representative town buy objects to conform to the norm. Such as Peg whose choice of headwear reflects her compliance. Specifically, Peg frequently wears a pillbox hat to follow the Jackie Kennedy trend to fit in with everyone else. Therefore, she promotes the lack of authenticity and conformity in the town, since it is the only way she knows that brings her comfort as reflected by her desire stated near the end of the film for everything to “go back to normal” (Edward Scissorhands). Conversely, she brings in Edward into the town; …show more content…
For instance, at the start, Edward enjoys helping others, is nice, gullible and very polite. However, he does not fit in the individualistic town. The townspeople, being egotistical, take advantage of the vulnerable Edward. He is therefore forced against his will to do chores around the town. These tasks include garden sculptures, hairstyles, dog hairstyles, and so on; all of which are fake. The town likes fake ways to promote their conformal lifestyles and to try to differentiate themselves from their neighbour. Meanwhile, the town’s values corrupt Edward and his behaviour drastically changes. His authenticity cannot be accepted by the townspeople: “Furthermore, his work - the garden sculptures, hairstyles and so forth - indicate that he's a highly imaginative... uh... character. It seems clear that his awareness of what we call reality is radically underdeveloped” (Edward Scissorhands). He is considered as a mere character and not a person since he is not like the typical town “person”. Additionally, his authentic personality is categorized as “radically underdeveloped”. The categorization shows at what point the town cannot stand authenticity and takes comfort in its conformity. In contrast, while all the townspeople turn against Edward, Kim’s character evolves into loving the authenticity Edward portrays. The white clothes she starts
Individuality is rejection, whether it be a rejection of society or a rejection by society. Burton explores the consequences that can derive from rejection and how appearances may differ from reality. The work of Tim Burton consists of a unique style unlike any other. Not only do his films convey his ideas of individuality to the audience, it is done in a distinctive Burton way. Burton’s style of the formal elements of German Expressionism, gothic horror, and unique characters allow him to convey his ideas. His views of individuality are evident through the work of his film 'Edward Scissorhands' and short film 'Vincent'.
Sometimes the way people act around you isn’t the way they act around other people. A good example of this is Shirley Jackson’s, “The Possibility of Evil”. The main character, Miss Strangeworth, isn’t as nice as she may seem. Miss Strangeworth’s character can be analyzed by considering what she does, what the narrator says about her, and how other characters interact with her.
Each character, in some capacity, is learning something new about themselves. Whether it be new views, new feelings, newfound confidence, or a new realization of past events, each character involved in the play realizes something view-altering by the end of the play. Bonny is realizing that she is growing up and discovering how to deal with boys, and to lie to her parents; Elsie realizes that she doesn’t need her father for everything, and eventually overcomes her fear of driving on her own; Grace is discovering that she must let her children think for themselves at times, and that she must let Charlie choose what he wants to do; and Charlie, of course, is discovering that there are more ways to think than the status quo that society presents. Each character obviously goes through very different struggles throughout the play, but in the end, they all result in realizing something about themselves they didn’t at the beginning of the
Using the production elements of symbolism; especially hands themselves, and the use of allusion to elements from other genres; particularly those from fairytale and gothic romance/horror films, Tim Burton has directed the film in such a manner to illustrate, emphasise and ridicule the materialism and lack of imagination of society. The film however, is prominently a satire which has certain elements from fairytale, comedy and horror genres. Through the choices made by the director, the audience is invited to become aware of the inhumanity present in the way society functions, especially in its prejudiced treatment towards people who do not conform. The use of allusion in Edward Scissorhands is one of the most important choices in production that has been made by director Tim Burton. In order to fully appreciate and understand the plot, the movie is dependant on the audience being able to recognise certain references and elements emulated from other films.
What is the deciding factor in determining what is sane: what is natural, or what is socially acceptable? In Ken Kesey’s novel One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and later the movie the novel inspired, this conflict is ever present in its Oregon setting of a psychiatric hospital. Throughout the novel, characters with minor quirks and disabilities are shamed and manipulated by the tyrannical Nurse Ratched in an attempt to make them “normal”—that is, conforming to her rigid standards. In fact, the only time these characters overcome their personal challenges is when they are emboldened by the confidence of an outsider, McMurphy, who encourages embracing natural instincts and rejecting conformity. In one particularly apt scene, McMurphy’s recounting
Tim Burton in the films Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and in Edward Scissorhands uses low key lighting and close ups to achieve a dark, and eerie mood by creating a lot of tension between the characters. Tim Burton shows a lot of things such as creepy and scary which are achieved by the affects he uses which are many but for these he manly used low key lighting and close ups. If Tim Burton didn’t use these cinematic elements to show the audiences that what fantasy vs. reality really means or that death is a part of life and is not so scary cause it will happen to everyone the movies wouldn’t be as entertaining they are now. Tim Burton shows to us in a way that we all can laugh.
In the novel One flew over the cuckoo's nest by, Ken Kesey.Kesey's character Randle McMurphy,is a character who struggles adhering to rules.Whereas Kesey’s nurse Ratched is one who thrives off making other adhere to the social structures of the ward.Having both of them on the ward causes a cat and dog relationship there's an equal amount of hatred.Nurse ratched hates McMurphy because of his erratic behavior.This poses the question,the conflict between pursuing a personal desire and choosing to conform.Based on the text the idea that is presented is that yes pursional desire is more motivating than conforming.Nurse Ratched's desire is to maintain her control and assert her authority over the men of the ward.Where as McMurphy wants nothing
When hearing the phrase “Ordinary Men” many will think of the teachers, factory workers, and store clerks who live a modest lifestyle. The kind of people who wouldn't be suspected to be cold blooded killers. In Christopher R. Browning’s, Ordinary Men, we find out that these kind of people are capable of being just that, cold blooded killers. Browning poses the question, are these men who carried out thousands of killings throughout WWII simply ordinary? With the combination of obedience, conformity, and segmentation and routinization of tasks these ordinary men were turned into killers.
Film adaptations based on particular works such as Dickens’s Great Expectations are not the only means through which we get a glimpse of Victorian culture and society. Animated films such as Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (2005) represent the Victorian era through humor and exaggeration and reveal Burton’s awareness of 19th century English society. In his study Gothic Fantasy: The Films of Tim Burton, Edwin Page argues that Burton’s films are not realistic in nature, but like fairy tales they communicate through symbolic imagery, as they speak of “things far deeper within our conscious and subconscious minds than most films would dare to delve” (7). His films are believed to be personal and reflect dark humor, as he combines elements of fairy tales, the gothic, parody and grotesque. Most importantly, Burton usually identifies himself with subordinate characters in horror films that exhibit grand melodramatic emotion and also finds himself “identifying with the monsters rather than the heroes, as the monsters tended to show passion whereas the leads were relatively emotionless” (13). The monsters in his films symbolize the outsider and the alienated, a figure that defies society and is almost always exaggerated in representation. Significant examples from his numerous films include Edward in Edward Scissorhands (1990), demonic Mrs. Lovett and the blood thirsty barber in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) and the tragicomically grotesque jilted bride Emily in Corpse Bride (2005).
As Nathaniel Brandon once said “…first step towards change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.” In Edward Scissorhands directed by Tim Burton, the society are all very aware of Edward’s differences but they are reluctant to change their views and fully accept him.The film reveals how Edward is isolated because he is different and how society selfishly exploits the unique talents of Edward and then when their feelings change and they regard him as dangerous, they reject him. However the Bogg family provide a sense of belonging and acceptance for Edward. Edward Scissorhands makes important comments about society’s inhumane treatment of people who differ from the norm, ignoring that all people deserve to be treated equally and with respect.
Lighting and color are used to prove the distinction between individuals. In Edward Scissorhands, low key lighting was used to show the illusion of Edward being in isolation. Through this isolation, Edward did not know his place in society. Isolation created Edward to be displayed as a misfit compared to the rest of society. Burton conveys the fact Edward is a misfit by creating a sense of eeriness which shows he is darker coloring while the rest of society seems brighter. To try to fit into society, Edward tried to satisfy everyone’s desires. However through this trial, he could not help but being himself even if that caused society to frown upon him. Even though society frowned
The film Edward Scissorhands shows how society rejects people who are different. This film directed by Tim Burton is about a boy named Edward who lives in an empty mansion. The film shows a community that is quick to judge but slow to distinguish the qualities of Edward. The people in the community are selfish and expect to receive from Edward without giving but regardless of this there are still some who love and care for him. By viewing this film the audience recognises how important it is to give someone a chance to prove themselves before judging them.
One way Burton establishes this theme is by using misfit characters in his films. In Alice in Wonderland, Alice is an outcast compared to the people around her. At one point, Alice’s mother is disappointed that Alice did not wear “proper” attire to a party, and, when Alice defiantly asks her if she would wear a codfish on her head if it was
...elings and portrays them through the main character Elphalba. It is as if he is taking a part of himself, the part filled with rage and frustration, and building the character Elphalba with it. She is the feminine, yet somewhat masculine, part of him revealing itself through the book.
Edward’s detachment from society is the result of a floozy’s lie, a deranged woman’s religious claims, and a teen with an inflated ego that all seem to hate Edward because of his differences and because they cannot tell what he is and what his intentions are. Edward is a good person and he is not even a real human being. He is more kind and uncorrupt then the real human beings who live in the community. It matters to Joyce, Esmeralda, and Jim that Edward be definable and that they can recognize him as something with emotions and motives. However, Edward does not make any sense to any of them at all and their prejudices continue to exist because they do not and will not take the time to figure out that Edward’s differences are actually not as horrific as they make them out to be.