Similarities Between Edward Scissorhands And An Absolutely Ordinary Rainbow

Conformity is a necessity in the society we now live in, choosing not to embrace difference in any way, shape or form. Auteur Tim Burton and poet Les Murray explore the idea of individual versus society through the use of various techniques in their works Edward Scissorhands and An Absolutely Ordinary Rainbow, such as symbolism, imagery, camera angles, and stereotypes.
An Absolutely Ordinary Rainbow by poet Les Murray displays the aloof condition of society, regarding a man who weeps in public, abandoning the concept of belonging and in turn receives stares from bystanders, not knowing how to handle the situation. His weeping symbolises his ‘humanity’, he, being a man especially, is therefore seen as ‘weak’ and ‘odd’ as such behaviour is not

Accepted at first for his difference and ironically exiled because of it. Various camera angles are used to express Edward’s isolation within his community and conveying his emotions. This can be seen when a high angle was used in the scene in which Edward trespasses Jim’s father’s property, emphasising Edward’s loneliness, belittling him in the eyes of the audience. The recurrence of hands within the film constantly remind the viewers that Edward longs for hands, exemplifying his longing desire to be accepted into society. Scissors are also used as a motif, illustrating his difference in society, displaying his abnormality that prevents him from conforming to society. Stereotypes are used to highlight Edward’s difference, him being unique in contrast to the citizens of Suburbia, an example being Peg the Avon lady who is the stereotypical mother

The protagonists are both accepted by their society, the weeping man being accepted by a women “…and I see a woman, shining, stretch her hand and shake as she receives the gift of weeping; as many as follow her also receive it...” and many others who follow her example, the same with how Peg, the Avon Lady accepts Edward and brings him to her home, consequently leading to the citizens and her family into accepting him, however, only her family remains to accept his difference when he is later rejected by the rest of society. Both the weeping man and Edward’s difference confuses people, their differences, the man displaying his ‘true self’ and Edward’s scissor hands draw a fine line between them and society. The crowd that gathers around the weeping man simply stare in amazement and are confused as to why he is crying, in Edward’s case, his hands or rather ‘scissor’ hands and his past are a mystery to the citizens of Suburbia, therefore confusing them but openly accept him at first. Their presence stops the movement of the people around them, this is seen in the first two stanzas of the poem, an image is illustrated in which the city comes to a halt due to his difference. And when Edward was first brought into Suburbia the citizens they passed stopped their current task in order to stare at