Comparitive study of text and context: "Brave New World", written by Aldous Huxley, and "Blade Runner", directed by Ridley Scott.

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"Brave New World", written by Aldous Huxley, and "Blade Runner", directed by Ridley Scott both explore futuristic dystopias. The composers use science fiction, film noir, satire and irony to depict futures which could develop from the issues relevant to their contexts of production. These contexts are integral to the ideas projected within these two texts. Despite being composed 50 years apart both texts deal with similar issues. In particular, they raise concerns about how humanity is valued, the question of what makes us human and explore tensions between humanity and the natural world.

Both deeply immersed within the sci-fi genre, BNW and BR are set in futuristic dystopias. The texts warn humanity about the impact(s) of technology and raise issues such as, the degradation of human nature, leading to its demise, the loss of personal identity and the destruction of the environment natural elements. These are seen as important points of the sci-fi genre.

Both texts begin by immediately conveying their futuristic settings and presenting sterile environments to the responder.

In the opening paragraphs of "Brave New World", the responder is confronted with a 'squat grey building of only thirty-four stories', carrying a shield with the World State's motto, 'Community, Identity Stability'. This stability is brought forth by the process of 'conditioning' and removing natural thought by hypnopaedia. Inside the building the atmosphere is described as 'cold for all summer beyond its planes'. There is a clear emphasis on coldness, paleness and whiteness. This is used to show how advancements in this future world have left it insensitive and lifeless.

"Blade Runner" is set in Los Angeles, November 2019. The opening shot presents a dark, eerie city, where an ominous mood pervades. City lights twinkle in the darkness as large furnaces blast flames into the heavily...