If you’re having trouble grappling with the “similar content” in the Module A elective Texts in Time, these articles may help. Worldspace in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner This article, by Evan L. Wendel, not only helps students to focus on the relevance of each text’s setting, it is also a wonderful [...]
Posts Tagged ‘Mary Shelley’
Texts in Time: Articles on Frankenstein and Blade Runner
Posted in HSC English, tagged Blade Runner, Comparative Study, Frankenstein, HSC, Mary Shelley, Module A, Ridley Scott on April 13, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
The Human Condition
Posted in HSC English, tagged Blade Runner, Comparative Study, Frankenstein, HSC, Mary Shelley, Module A, Ridley Scott on March 12, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
One of the “big questions” explored in the comparative study of Frankenstein and Blade Runner is, “what does it mean to be human?” This question is not only integral to developing an understanding of both texts but also so broad and ephermeral as to be almost useless. Let’s pin it down by rephrasing, “what are [...]
Blade Runner: Contextual Notes
Posted in HSC English, tagged Blade Runner, Comparative Study, context, film, Frankenstein, HSC, Mary Shelley, Module A, Ridley Scott, science fiction, texts in time on July 5, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Looking at Module A responses recently, I have noticed something strange: students understand the context of Frankenstein, they have a handle on Romanticism, the Enlightement and the effects of Industrialisation; however, they don’t get the context for Blade Runner. There are some vague references to globalisation and capitalism but no real evidence of the values [...]
Playing God in Frankenstein and Blade Runner
Posted in HSC English, tagged Blade Runner, Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, Module A, Ridley Scott on June 7, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
This is just a quick post to outline an idea that came up when I was talking to a student today. In the Christian Bible, God gives two gifts to the men (humans) he has created: 1. Companionship. And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will [...]
Getting started with Frankenstein Part 2
Posted in HSC English, tagged Comparative Study, English literature, Frankenstein, HSC, Mary Shelley, Module A on March 25, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
While (re)reading Frankenstein it is worth asking the question, “who is telling this story?” The structure of the novel is layered. There are a few different visual representations that can help us to understand how it works. The first is a series of concentric circles… …with the Creature’s story in the centre, then Victor’s, [...]
Getting started with Frankenstein Part 1
Posted in HSC English, tagged Comparative Study, English literature, Frankenstein, HSC, Literature, Mary Shelley, Module A, reading on March 18, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
The Preface is key to understanding the context of Frankenstein and Module A has a really strong focus on context. Unfortunately, the ugly edition chosen by the Board of Studies does not deign to include Mary Shelley’s Preface so it might be worthwhile finding another edition. I recommend the one from Vintage and have included [...]
Paradise Lost and (post)Modern Prometheus
Posted in HSC English, tagged Art, Blade Runner, Comparative Study, English literature, film, Frankenstein, HSC, John Milton, Literature, Mary Shelley, Module A, Paradise Lost, poetry, Romanticism, texts in time, William Blake on March 15, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
The epigraph to Frankenstein reads: Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay To mould me Man, did I solicit thee From darkness to promote me?” This is Adam addressing his Creator in Book 10 of Milton’s Paradise Lost. This epic poem has been hugely influential, not just on Frankenstein or the Romantics but also on [...]
Disability and the Possibilities of the Human
Posted in HSC English, tagged Aimee Mullins, Blade Runner, Dan Simmons, Endymion, Frankenstein, HSC, Hyperion, John Keats, Literature, Mary Shelley, Module A, reading, Ridley Scott, science fiction, ted on March 4, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
What does it mean to be human? This is the central question of the comparative study of Frankenstein and Blade Runner in the HSC. Other questions result. How far can we extend our concept of humanity? How inclusive can we be? Will artificial life ever be accepted into the human family? Take a step back. [...]
Experience of the Human and Module A
Posted in HSC English, tagged Blade Runner, Comparative Study, English literature, film, Frankenstein, HSC, Mary Shelley, Module A, Ridley Scott, texts, texts in time on November 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The composers of Frankenstein and Blade Runner both use non-human characters to shine a spotlight on the human experience. In addressing questions related to these texts we must ask ourselves, what are the fundamental needs, experiences and desires shared by human beings? We are all born, we all need nurturing, we all desire to know [...]
Bible Verses for the Comparative Study
Posted in HSC English, tagged biblical allusion, Blade Runner, Comparative Study, English literature, Frankenstein, HSC, Mary Shelley, Module A, Ridley Scott, texts, texts in time on May 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Biblical allusion is a key technique in both texts for the Comparative Module: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Blade Runner directed by Ridley Scott. In an increasingly secular and multicultural country, it can no longer be assumed that students know the bible verses being alluded to in various texts. Here are some suggested verses and [...]
