ipl-logo

Gattaca

683 Words3 Pages

Thoughtful Science Fiction - Gattaca

Gattaca (1997) is a film directed by Andrew Niccol that is based on the science of genetic engineering. It portrays a world in which scientific proof becomes the basis for discrimination. While society holds it as a truth, genes are a primary factor that determine the success of an individual. The film revolves around the Protagonist Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke), who is ignored and excluded from most aspects of society. His life is limited to the ‘second best’ option.
This world is a hostile one for the In-Valids. However, the engineered (Valids) people have the opportunities to do whatever they so desire. Although discrimination is illegal, people still discriminate and judge people according to their genetic makeup. Furthermore, characteristics such as personality, beliefs, values, and one’s moral code are considered irrelevant. The flashback to Vincent’s first day of kindergarten reinforces his defects. As he cannot gain insurance due to him being In-Valid, his entry was initially prevented. His exclusion from society sets a pattern throughout his life that …show more content…

This idea of perfection is corrupted from within. Jerome Morrow (Jude Law) is an example of this. He is considered by society as a ‘perfect specimen’. Yet Jerome suffers from the ‘burden of perfection’. Director Niccol is showing us that no matter how much a system may try to manufacture individuals it cannot completely control their psyche, inspiration and motivation, which are key ingredients to an individual’s chance to succeed. Vincent proves that the philosophy underpinning discrimination is flawed. Niccol portrays this by the cross cut editing at the end of the movie, with Vincent finally achieving his lifelong dream, and Jerome committing suicide. Success is determined by other variables that are not within the control of Science. There is no gene for the Human

Show More
Related
913 Words | 4 Pages

Throughout history, people have discussed the nature of man and whether man is inherently good, evil, or something else. However, man has proven himself to be guided by his own internal conflicts, which lead him to make certain decisions that can be characterized as good or evil. Therefore, despite his intentions, man is neither good nor evil, but will make virtuous or malicious decisions based on his own personal experiences and emotions. In A Separate Peace by John Knowles, Gene contributes to the trend of men being led by their emotions. Gene is a teenage boy attending high school at Devon.

Read More
133 Words | 1 Pages

C. Ben Mitchell, a professor of Moral Philosopher at the Union University, in his article, “On Human Bioenhancements” (200), argues against the use of human enhancement which has emerge questioning about, the principles of justice, and cultural complicity. Mitchell supports his argument by describing how this method is an unethical behavior by the medical community and how this new technology should not be implement anywhere in the future. His purpose is to persuade his readers not to support this new method which will have a negative effect within our society, and instead of helping our future generation it will destroy our human nature. The author’s audience likely consists of professors, college professors, parents, with some understanding

Read More
698 Words | 3 Pages

The Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering also show that genetic engineering can lead to overpopulation and wars. First of all, in Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., everyone is the same and they have strict laws. In Harrison Bergeron, people are made to be the same by putting weights on strong people, making beautiful people wear ugly masks, and hindering smart people’s thoughts. In Jonas’ community, there is Sameness, which is making everything the

Read More
1383 Words | 6 Pages

Conformity is gradually oppressing the world in which we live in. This ideal is prominently illustrated in the film Pleasantville which is directed, and produced by Gary Ross. Pleasantville is a great demonstration of the dangers of abiding by society’s expectations, and the freedoms that come with rebelling to these expectations and embracing change. Gary Ross uses several literary techniques such as; colour (symbolism), and character development to indicate the lack of creativity, and originality in society. Throughout the film, Ross illustrates how obstructive conformity can be to society, and how rewarding rebelling to societal norms can be for not only self growth, but societal advancement as well.

Read More
769 Words | 4 Pages

A loving friend turns murderer after his retched jealousness and overanalyzing pushes him to new lows. In A Separate Peace by John Knowles, the true character of Gene Forrester is shown as he narrates his point of view of the story. Gene Forrester is a relatable ever changing, humanistic, and someone who is always in contention. Although at points Gene seems mentally unstable, he is a round, dynamic character that adapts and is generally mentally sound. Gene being the narrator of his own story shows from his perspective just how he views people and their interactions.

Read More
1525 Words | 7 Pages

In our world, people who are born different from other people are almost always treated differently from those who are “normal”. Nearly every person that is treated differently is treated in a more negative way than they would be if they fit in with other people. This is a terrible and insensible trend that has caused years of suffering throughout human history. Because of unimportant and miniscule discrepancies, such as race, we have decided to put up walls between cultures and make ourselves narrow-minded and un-open to new ideas. The reality that discrimination is universal has lead to discrimination becoming a popular theme in literature and other forms of entertainment.

Read More
1001 Words | 5 Pages

Sciences and technologies have improved many aspects of human lives. But as technologies are developing to be more and more advanced, science can be a deadly subject to us as well. Some writers have taken this idea and expanded on this theme of how science is deadly. In this essay I will discuss how this theme is explored in the texts: the novel Unwind written by Neal Shusterman, the film Gattaca directed by Andrew Niccol, following the short texts There Will Come Soft Rains and The Veldt written by Ray Bradbury. Science is supposed to help humans to understand more about the world and improve people’s lives.

Read More
1635 Words | 7 Pages

The Non Identity Headache Ethics and morality are the backbone of our society, taking different forms, whether it be religion, science, or other personal beliefs, it lays down a golden rule of what is and what isn’t acceptable. However, morality becomes difficult to apply to controversial topics, especially those such as pre-birth human enhancement and human reproductive cloning due to the fact that it applies to other humans. One of the most important topics that arise from discussing these issues is the Non Identity Problem. In order to try and provide reasoning for both pre-birth enhancement and human reproductive cloning, I will first explain what the Non Identity Issue is and its relation to genetics, then explain how it may affect one’s

Read More
1507 Words | 7 Pages

Thus, following this theory, questions of morality can only be acquired through social learning. However, in Pinker’s opposition to this idea, he insists that together with the Noble Savage and Ghost in the Machine theories, the Blank Slate theory expresses a denial of human nature that is inspired by political considerations drawn from fears of inequality, imperfectability, determinism, and nihilism (Pinker, 137-194). Therefore, his biological and genetic-based assumptions have a connection to politics by challenging the typical liberal notions of equality and social justice. It is essential to note, however, that Pinker does not attribute human behavioral outcomes to genetics exclusively. He points out early in the book's preface that it will not be one of those that "says everything is genetic" (Pinker, viii).

Read More
627 Words | 3 Pages

Yash Malik Mrs. Kent ENG1DE 23 April 2015 Dystopia in Waknuk Waknuk is a dystopian society that is much different from a regular one. In John Wyndham’s novel The Chrysalids, Waknuk is a society where religious beliefs and old texts govern the people. These differences create an abnormal and dystopian setting for the novel. Religious fundamentalism is what guides this dystopian society in their weird life. Two main books are followed by the people in Waknuk, the Bible and Nicholson’s Repentances.

Read More
801 Words | 4 Pages

Our life experiences make our present, our values, our way of behaving and thinking. Although no one is perfect, we are prone to develop prejudice against those who are totally different from us. For most of the time, prejudice only affects us personally. But if an individual is given a power to be responsible for another person’s live or death, prejudice can turn into a deadly weapon.

Read More
673 Words | 3 Pages

A mouse, for example, does have an interest in not being kicked along the road, because it will suffer if it is” (Singer 5). Therefore, if a being suffers there is moral rationale for that being to refuse that suffering. This argument supports the articles ultimate conclusion that the granting of rights should be base on morale rather than characteristics, sex, race, species. Singer believes that if these change were to be adopted by societies that discrimination would be severely reduced and perhaps eliminated as a

Read More
1325 Words | 6 Pages

As Maya Angelou once said “In diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” Though diversity exists in the world today, that could diminish due to the downfalls caused by human cloning. There may be controversy surrounding human cloning, but the consequences will desolate society if the issues with it are not addressed. In Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, a scientist obsessed with life animates a creature who becomes evil from society treatment. Moreover, in “The Birthmark,” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, a newly married scientist becomes obsessed with a hand shaped birthmark on his wife’s cheek, which leads him to attempt to remove it but to no avail, as he ends up killing her.

Read More
795 Words | 4 Pages

Before you even go on a first date you could make assumptions and would not get to fall in love with the person they actually are. Gattaca, in my opinion endorses and goes against society's will to use genetic analysis. To elaborate further, as stated in the previous paragraphs Gattaca seems to show genetic analysis as a way to make decisions about certain people's life choices. But it also shows how people can struggle in contradictory events involving genetic testing, as put into examples in the previous statements.

Read More
781 Words | 4 Pages

Brave New World’s government was more controlling over the people because they wanted everyone to fit into a category and be happy. Gattaca gave the people a choice but in their eyes there was only one correct answer and if citizens chose wrong, their kids would have to like a sad life. In the first chapter of Brave New World, it talked about the hatchery and the process in which the people are hatched. The workers will tamper with the jars environment to either enhance the fetus or handicap them. In Gattaca, they did not tamper with environment or try to create a child with disadvantages.

Read More

More about Gattaca

Related Topics

Open Document