Frankenstein vs. Edward Scissorhands Essay Example

Many fictional pieces of media have offered audiences helpful insight into their health and wellbeing throughout history. The gothic novel Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley follows a scientist named Victor who creates artificial life. However, the creature he creates turns out to be a horrid monster and is cast away by Victor and the rest of humankind. As time progresses and the Monster becomes increasingly lonely and angry, he begins to take revenge on Victor by killing everyone he loves. The romantic fantasy film Edward Scissorhands directed by Tim Burton, illustrates the life of a human-like robot named Edward who has scissors for hands. A saleswoman named Peg finds Edward living alone and invites him to live with her family; Edward soon falls in love with Peg's daughter, Kim. Even with his gentle personality and incredible artistic skill, he is still an outcast in the community due to his scissor-hands. Both characters, although outcasts are raised very differently and live very different lives. Shelley and Burton demonstrate people who lack love are often left in isolation, leaving them indignant.

The juxtaposition between the environments that Edward and the Monster live indirectly correlate to their feelings toward society. After Victor abandons him and he is forced to fend for himself in the lab, the Monster tries his best to be part of a community, but to no avail. Clouded in his thoughts, the Monster ponders his existence: "But it is even so; the fallen angel becomes a malignant devil. Yet even that enemy of God and man had friends and associates in his desolation; I am alone" (Shelley 209). The Monster wakes up to a disgusted Victor who promptly leaves him in a cold and dark lab to fend for himself. During his isolation, the Monster blames his suffering on Victor and seeks to take revenge on him. The diction of "fallen" and "malignant" support the theme of resentment that surrounds isolation. He categorizes God and Man as both on the same side and sees himself as an outcast of both, which makes him relate more with the devil. The way the Monster envies the devil could be a factor in why he seeks violence. Unlike the Monster, Edward had a father figure, the Professor, for a significant portion of his life. After the Professor passes, Peg brings Edward to live with her family. Edward's constant affection and love from the community shifts his view on the outside world, giving him a sense of security and home, which the Monster never felt. Edward is introduced to a community that has matching single-story houses that each house one family, perfectly trimmed lawns, always sunny weather, and everything has vibrant colors (Burton). All elements of the community support a theme of hospitality. Initially, the juxtaposition between Edward's dark clothes and the bright colors of the town alienates him from the town, but over time as he gets to know Peg's family, his style becomes more casual, and he becomes assimilated to the community. Even before Peg took him in, Edward did not act out violently; he had only experienced the love and kindness of the Professor. Whereas the Monster only endures violence and hate, which influences him considerably.  

The contrast between Edward's and the Monster's interactions with their respective creators displays the vast differences in their characters. After destroying the female Monster that was supposed to accompany the Monster, Victor curses out the Monster: "I shall collect my funeral pile and consume to ashes this miserable frame, that its remains may afford no light to any curious and unhallowed wretch who would create such another as I have been" (Shelley 157). Victor's tirade against the Monster was not the first time he insulted his creation. Victor despised the Monster since he was brought to life. He abandons and insults it continuously. Victor's use of "funeral" and "ashes" points to a theme of death; this is probably due to the destruction of the female Monster, which he burns in front of the Monster. The Monster's isolation and constant abuse eventually lead to his breaking point and his acceptance of violence and revenge. The Professor creates Edward in a lab similar to Victor's, but instead of berating his creation, the Professor takes the time to understand and help nurture Edward. The Professor acts as Edward's father for a considerable part of Edward's life. During flashbacks, Edward recalls attentively sitting and listening to the Professor read stories (Burton). The Professor is slow and meticulous in order for Edward to learn everything he says. The interactions between creation and creator lay the foundation of Edward's social skills in society. On the other hand, Edward's interactions with Peg's family create a sense of security and purpose that he never felt before. The more fluid conversations he has with Peg's family help him become part of a community, which he could never do with only the Profesor. Edward stuck out in the community due to his hands, and without Peg's guidance, he probably would have had a significantly different experience.

The different social and physical environments that Edward and the Monster live in ultimately shape their personalities and future. Both forms of media help the audience reflect upon themselves to see if the place they surround themselves in is a healthy environment. By showcasing the Monster's struggles and how Edward flourished with Peg's family, Burton and Shelley depict the necessity of love and how, in isolation, people are more susceptible to anguish.