Similarities Between Frankenstein And Edward Scissorhands

Introduction

Gothic fiction has fascinated and unnerved readers for more than two centuries. It features distant landscapes, sensual fantasies, and uncanny incidents. Gothic literature evoked strong emotional responses within readers, as well as tapped into their deepest fears and anxieties. Relating to the statement, Gothic literature presents new ideas about the self, society, and the connection between them. It concerns itself with the treatment of marginalised individuals within society and presents new concepts of understanding these individuals. ‘Edward Scissorshands,1990’ directed by Tim Burton, explores the concept of the outsider and how they fit into society. ‘Frankenstein, 1818’ by Mary Shelley also refers to this gothic convention

Edward Scissorhands

Edward Scissorshands is the story of the solitary life of an incomplete artificial humanoid, who is exposed to a society that is not as what he is accustomed to. Alex Grey once said, “In a society that tries to standardise thinking, individuality is not highly prized.” This is demonstrated when Edward experiences rejection because he is peculiar and does not conform to the social conventions. The atmosphere portrayed in the setting of the community is surreal, almost conveyed an (Long shot) utopian environment , with grass that exaggerates the colour of green and houses that are indistinguishable except if you look closely at the brilliant, arbitrary colours. A high degree of conformity and conventionality is especially seen in the scene in which every resident of the town

Despite its initial desire for affection, the creature makes everyone it comes into contact with want to resent it.Mary Shelley explores issues regarding community, knowledge, and its significance to society through the topic of isolation and how it manifests in her characters. Victor's creation illustrates the subject of alienation. The creature does not choose to be alienated, but in actuality, it is others who segregate it due to its repulsive appearance presented in lines, “Yellow skin,.. a shrivelled complexion and straight black lips” When the monster opens its eyes and sees Victor's terrified expression, it has its first encounter with the outside world. During this moment, Victor asked the rhetorical question, “How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavoured to form?” Herewith, Victor depicts the creature as a ‘catastrophe’ and exclaims how he went through all the effort of making a being that only turned out to be despicable. The monster immediately experiences isolation from who he thought was his family, which makes him seek to fit into