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How shaped are we by our family or better yet society? In today’s evolving and industrialized world we find ourselves controlled greatly by our family and by society’s views, rather than that of our own personal beliefs. We have an endless desire as humans to elevate humanity’s state of being to the point where we don’t mind if others suffer for it. Two texts that were conceived not quite 200 years apart offer us a perspective on the implications of a transforming world. These texts are of course our favorites at Texts in Time, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818) and Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner (1992). Thus today I would like you to ponder over how these texts can still resonate with today’s audience in regards to social acceptance and family relationships.

“And what was I?”

Loss of self is the inevitable consequence from interfering with nature’s course. In the 19th century the mass production in the industrialization period denied any form of connection between creator and creation. This self-indulged behavior in man kind’s developments is evident in the unchecked industrialized ‘progress’ of Victor Frankenstein. In Victor’s search for superiority his God- like transgression leads to the symbolic creation of the creature. Victor abandons all moral consideration to fulfill his perennial curiosity when he condemns his own creation that was created in his likeness, to a life time of hostility and suffering.

From the moment of the creature’s birth he was shunned and dismissed by his own father saying "the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart” in regards to his creation’s physical appearance." Shelley goes on to suggest that every individual has dark qualities yet it takes “misery that tur...

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...and the Replicant’s emotionally tortured.

Scott’s interpretation of doctors “playing god” through genetic mofification concerned him as to what hybrids could be created in the near future after the progress of IVF. This resulted in him questioning the ethics of the scientist and doctors who have contributed to this development. Through the extended metaphor of photographs in the film represents the Replicant’s desire for connection to their heritage, past and humanity which is contrasted against the 2019 world full of social isolation and spiritual depravation. This lack of connection is represented on a personal level with Rachel and Deckard, as opposed the ironic intimacy between Roy and Pris, and even the Creature’s desire for a female companion, highlighting the loss of a basic humane characteristic within this consumerist, monetary and power driven society.