From its appearance, the town in which the movie Edward Scissorhands takes place seems to be perfect, but like so many
other things, its appearance is only surface deep. Perfect blue skies, brightly
painted houses, freshly mowed lawns; these are the characteristics of this
suburban nightmare that holds almost exclusively within its streets shallow,
gossipy, self-interested persons. The story of Edward Scissorhands is not a
happy one, rather, it is the story of a pure hearted creation whose mangled up
exterior represents the polar opposite of what lies within, but because most
people are unable to see past his looks, he is out casted from society. Because
of something that is completely out of his control, Edward is forced to live a
life of solitude; a life that is “incomplete.” Fairy tale setting and a monster
that isn’t actually a monster? A twist to the traditional fairy tale cookie
cutter scenario. Instead of a hero, or a handsome or beautiful protagonist, the
moral of the story is taught through the contorted Edward, the outsider. A
recluse from society, unable to be taught by others, Edward has more compassion
and selflessness than the entire suburb combined. Is this to say that society
is the one that teaches people to be conceited and self interested? That bad
traits like that are taught, not inborn? Like in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the monster is not truly a
monster, he is just a misunderstood creation that society is unable to
comprehend because of his form. Tales like these are intended to show readers
how heartless humanity can be, especially towards anything that does not fit
into the category of normality. When Edward is first introduced, he is the
exciting new attraction that everyone wants to be a part of. By the end of the
film, the town’s people go from an interested crow, to an angry mob. Angry with
their own lives, they gather and combine their anger to project elsewhere.
Without any sort of actual plan, the mob of suburban dingbats heads toward
Edward’s house, in an attempt to protest just him as a person.
Natasha Martinez
ReplyDeleteThe similarities between Frankenstein and Edward are really interesting because like you said even though they are seen as monsters they are not actually monsters. I agree with what you said about them both being misunderstood creatures and how others just don't comprehend their form which is why they are cast from society. I think you make really good points about how stories like these are designed to make society look heartless and it teaches people how judgmental humans can be towards appearances.
This article is really well written. I liked your phrase "suburban dingbats." You make your point really well and the whole thing just flows very nicely. I think stories like these are designed so that people can see that no matter how perfect we try to make society, at some point or another, we follow the mob mentality against individualism. When you say that the misunderstood people or creatures are societal rejects, I think you have a completely legitimate point. Maybe that is why the mob mentality exists. It could be a form of protecting the normality that the normal "suburban dingbats" are accustomed to. They feel threatened by change and when they shun things and do not change, then they become corrupt themselves.
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