Is Edward Scissorhands a Frankenstein retelling?
What does director Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994), directed by Kenneth Branagh, have in common— a mutual underlying story; but their differences are what makes their tales all the more special. Edward Scissorhands is a retelling of Frankenstein, but with a slight twist.
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.
Both the book and film have a very strong similar theme between them that goes deeper than the plot and characters. Frankenstein and Edward Scissorhands have the same theme that the creatures aren't always the monsters, humans can be the real monsters, they are not accepting of beings who are different.
Edward Scissorhands can be analyzed with a disability studies lens to reveal a metaphor for the disabled person's life as they face microaggressions, harassment, exploitation, and ostracization in an able-bodied world through Edward's “otherness” that sets him apart from those around him and his grotesque body.
Kenneth Branagh's Frankenstein adaptation is mostly loyal to the 1818 novel by Mary Shelley, and deserves more credit. 1994's Mary Shelley's Frankenstein can be seen as the definitive film version of the 1818 novel.
Without Frankenstein, we wouldn't be able to enjoy movies like The Fly or The Rocky Horror Picture Show. There have also been movies based entirely on the concept of Frankenstein such as Son of Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, The Ghost of Frankenstein, and so many more.
In Edward Scissorhands, the inventor creates Edward, who audiences will first view as a monster - just like in Frankenstein, and the similarities continue as we discover by watching the film, Edward isn't a monster, just like the “monster” in Frankenstein, but the actions and interactions of the other characters turn ...
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Edward Scissorhands.
| Edward | |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Edward Scissorhands |
| Species | Artificial human |
| Gender | Male |
Different species of iguanodons flourished in both Europe and North America. They were able to walk on both two legs or all four. “Edward Scissorhands,” played by Johnny Depp in the 1990 movie, was an artificial humanoid with scissor blades instead of hands.
- The Last Man by Mary Shelley (1826) ...
- Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe (1592) or Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust (1790/1831) ...
- R.U.R. by Karel Capek (1921) ...
- “Moxon's Master” by Ambrose Bierce (1899) ...
- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
What do Hulk and Frankenstein have in common?
When compared to Frankenstein's monster, the Incredible Hulk borrows a great deal from his powerful predecessor. Both creatures are highlighted by superhuman feats of strength, stamina, and speed.
Some of the similarities between the film version of Frankenstein and the novel are: The Creature is never given a name in either the film or the book. Dr. Frankenstein is obsessed with creating life from death and in both versions uses body parts to create the Creature.
There are many themes and elements of gothic literature that appear in Edward Scissorhands. The characteristics consists of a dark setting, eroticism, and physical aberrations. Themes that were present include judgement based on appearance and suffering as a result of being misunderstood.
In Edward Scissorhands, the inventor creates Edward, who audiences will first view as a monster - just like in Frankenstein, and the similarities continue as we discover by watching the film, Edward isn't a monster, just like the “monster” in Frankenstein, but the actions and interactions of the other characters turn ...
The gothic fairytale theme is evident in Edward Scissorhands. It can be likened to tales like Frankenstein or Beauty and the Beast.
Another Tim Burton classic, Edward Scissorhands is often interpreted by people in the autism community as an allegory for being on the autism spectrum. And it makes sense, since Tim Burton has said that he believes himself to be autistic.
