When I was growing up, we had the DVD of Edward Scissorhands in our home. Although I haven’t seen the film in years, many different aspects of Mary Shelley’s novel reminded me of this Romantic dark fantasy film. Edward Scissorhands was released in 1990 and directed by the famed Tim Burton. For those who don’t know, his style is very dark, gothic, and spooky- just like Frankenstein. The plot of the film Edward Scissorhands is essentially about an old inventor or “mad scientist” who forms this creature with scissorblades instead of hands. His creature died before completing and raising him. Edward eventually is found by a nice family who takes him in. Edward seems like a dangerous being but we soon see how compassionate and kind he is. He ends up falling in love with a woman named Kim, and discovers that he can use his bizarre feature for something beautiful and positive- cutting and carving bushes. Unfortunately, things changed for the worse when he accidentally causes troubles in the town.
It is pretty evident how many similarities there are between these two brilliant tales. Tim Burton and Mary Shelley’s texts both present the idea of a vicious society in which prejudice and acceptance are constant struggles.
The style of the stories are similar as in they are told within frames. In Edward Scissorhands, the grandmother is telling a story to a young girl.
Both scientists had principled intentions in creating this being. Similarly to Victor, Edward’s creator wanted a sort of companion, someone he could treasure, nurture and teach. Victor implied his reason for creating by saying that he wanted to have “a new species [that] would bless me as its creator and source”. (54) Contrastly, Edward Scissorhand’s creator instilled a sense of acceptance from the start- and Edward Scissorhands was able to function within society. Edward felt love and therefore he differed from the creature in Frankenstein with his emotional stability. I believe both these works had this notion of putting something in a certain unfamiliar and uncomfortable environment and both creatures returned to their original familiar state.
The second similarity is that both creatures lived the first part of their lives in total isolation. Frankenstein’s monster was abandoned and on his own, as was Edward Scissorhands when he lived in his creator’s house for years before being found. This time of isolation had a large impact on their interactions with other humans.
A symbol that appears in both tales is that of snow and ice. In Frankenstein, Victor gets stuck in the mountains full of snow/ice and find the creature in the ice. Ice is a restriction and obstacle, yet it brings Walton, the creature and Victor together in different scenarios. In Edward Scissorhands, he discovered the beautiful sculptures he could carve from ice with the thing that made him look so evil. With this, he made a lasting positive impact and the snow brought him closer to society.
Edward Scissorhands and Frankenstein were written in very different time periods, however, society is vicious in both. This provokes the readers and viewers to reflect on common discourse and issues in society today.
FAQs
Modern world literature is the collective writings that circulate internationally, not just in the local country of origin. Learn about fusion literature, characteristics of world literature, and what influences contribute to modern world literature as well.
What does world literature tell us about the world? ›
World literature is critical to understanding our neighbor, to growing in compassion and wisdom, and to thinking critically about our world today. As we find ourselves in an increasingly globalized society, we must have knowledge that includes nations, cultures, and worldviews beyond our own borders.
What was the importance of reading literature in our modern world? ›
Literature allows a person to step back in time and learn about life on Earth from the ones who walked before us. We can gather a better understanding of culture and have a greater appreciation of them. We learn through the ways history is recorded, in the forms of manuscripts and through speech itself.
What is literature what is its importance in modern society? ›
Literature helps build crucial, critical thinking skills. It helps us to develop the ability to find the hidden meaning within everyday life. Literature is a form of human experience. Although in some literature the language employed is quite different from that spoken or used in ordinary writing.
How does literature impact our modern world? ›
Literature Gives a Look into the Past, Present and Future
Literature provides a window into the past, allowing readers to see how their ancestors and others dealt with day-to-day life. Readers can see where their own people came from, and how the country they live in became what it is today.
What does literature teach us? ›
Literature deepens our thinking by bringing more awareness of our own values and worldview, but also those of others throughout the world and throughout history.
What are the three importances of literature? ›
Five Reasons to Study Literature
- Literature improves communication skills. The easiest way to improve vocabulary, writing, and speaking skills is to study literature. ...
- Literature teaches you about yourself. ...
- Literature teaches about the past. ...
- Literature cultivates wisdom and a worldview. ...
- Literature entertains.
Where does world literature come in? In my view, the most important benefit of world literature is that it provides a window into experiences that are not one's own, and it demonstrates that these experiences are invariably more complex than what stereotypes or dominant narratives would suggest.
What is the goal of world literature? ›
The purpose of studying world literature is to be exposed to thought and ideas that come from authors who write in languages other than English and who live in countries other than the United States. This broadens one's horizons and gives one a deeper understand of history and contemporary society.
How can literature help us understand the world we live in? ›
Literature allows a person to step back in time and learn about life on Earth from the ones who walked before us. We can gather a better understanding of culture and have a greater appreciation of them. We learn through the ways history is recorded, in the forms of manuscripts and through speech itself.
Literature reflects both good and bad values of the society. In reflecting the bad values it makes us to rectify and solve the issues. In reflection of good values in the society it makes us to emulate. Often as reflection, literature presents a picture of what people think, say and do in the society.
What is the relationship between literature and society? ›
Literature and society have a close relationship. Literature serves as a mirror that reflects the culture, beliefs, and values of a society. It captures the characteristics of the time in which it is written and provides insight into the social, political, cultural, and historical aspects of society.
How literature affects our society today? ›
Literature can also cultivate empathy and Theory of Mind, or the capacity to read the minds of others, by encouraging readers to assume the perspective of fictional characters. From a realist perspective, literature also helps to enact social change by revealing the truths of society.
What is the value of reading literature? ›
Reading literature enables us to see the world through the eyes of others. It trains the mind to be flexible, to comprehend other points of view—to set aside one's personal perspectives to see life through the eyes of someone who is of another age, class, or race.
What is an example of modern literature? ›
Some examples of literary modernism are: Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926): The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge (1910) Gertrude Stein (1874-1946): Tender Buttons (1914) Franz Kafka (1883-1924): The Metamorphosis (1915)
How is literature an aspect of modern culture? ›
Literature is considered to be a reflection of the culture of its times. As known, it is also said that literature mirrors society. Literature is considered to be written works that have some artistic merit in it and has lasting value.
