Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Brief Intro

Tim Burton’s 1990 film Edward Scissorhands is a gothic fairy tale about an artificial man named Edward, who has scissors for hands. Created by an eccentric inventor, Edward is discovered and taken in by a suburban family. The film blends dark fantasy with a poignant narrative, exploring themes of isolation, acceptance, and the human condition. 🌹✨

Literary Devices Used in Edward Scissorhands

Symbolism

Movie Scene	Device Example
Edward’s Scissorhands	Edward’s scissors symbolize his inability to connect with others.
The Cookie-Cutter Suburbia	The uniformity of the neighborhood symbolizes societal conformity.

Foreshadowing

Movie Scene	Device Example
The Inventor’s Death	The inventor’s unfinished work foreshadows Edward’s incomplete integration into society.
Peg’s Initial Visit to the Mansion	Peg’s discovery of Edward foreshadows the impact he will have on the community.

Irony

Movie Scene	Device Example
Edward’s Gentle Nature vs. His Hands	Despite his dangerous-looking hands, Edward is gentle and kind.
The Community’s Initial Acceptance	The community first accepts Edward but later rejects him out of fear.

Metaphor

Movie Scene	Device Example
Edward as an Artist	Edward’s topiary and ice sculptures metaphorically represent his suppressed creativity.
The Mansion on the Hill	The mansion represents Edward’s isolation from the world.

Imagery

Movie Scene	Device Example
The Gothic Mansion	The detailed description of the mansion creates a dark, eerie atmosphere.
The Bright, Colorful Suburbia	The vibrant colors of the suburb contrast sharply with Edward’s dark world.

Allusion

Movie Scene	Device Example
Edward’s Creation	Alludes to Frankenstein’s monster.
The Inventor’s Workshop	References to classic gothic literature and art.

Juxtaposition

Movie Scene	Device Example
Edward’s Gothic Mansion vs. Suburbia	The stark contrast highlights the difference between Edward’s world and the suburban life.
Kim’s Beauty vs. Edward’s Appearance	The visual and emotional contrast emphasizes their unlikely connection.

Allegory

Movie Scene	Device Example
Edward’s Integration into Society	Represents the struggle of the misunderstood outsider.
The Christmas Scene	Allegorically represents purity and transformation.

Motif

Movie Scene	Device Example
Scissors and Sharp Objects	Recurrent motif highlighting Edward’s uniqueness and danger.
Snow	Symbolizes Edward’s impact on the town and his emotional state.

Hyperbole

Movie Scene	Device Example
The Community’s Reaction to Edward	The exaggerated fear and gossip emphasize societal tendencies to ostracize the different.
Edward’s Haircuts and Topiaries	The over-the-top creations underscore his artistic abilities.

Character Analysis Through Literary Devices

Edward

Literary Device	Explanation
Symbolism	Edward’s scissors represent his inability to physically connect with others, symbolizing emotional isolation.
Metaphor	Edward is a metaphor for the misunderstood artist, whose creations are beautiful but who is personally misunderstood.

Peg Boggs

Literary Device	Explanation
Irony	Peg’s kind nature contrasts with the fear and prejudice of her neighbors.
Juxtaposition	Her bright, cheerful personality is juxtaposed with Edward’s dark and mysterious demeanor.

Kim Boggs

Literary Device	Explanation
Juxtaposition	Kim’s conventional beauty and normalcy contrast with Edward’s strange appearance, highlighting their emotional connection.
Symbolism	Kim represents innocence and the potential for understanding beyond appearances.

The Inventor

Literary Device	Explanation
Allusion	The Inventor is an allusion to the archetypal mad scientist, similar to Dr. Frankenstein.
Foreshadowing	His death foreshadows Edward’s eventual rejection by society.

Character Dynamics

Literary Device	Explanation
Irony	The ironic shift from the community’s initial acceptance to eventual rejection of Edward drives the narrative.
Metaphor	Relationships between characters like Edward and Kim metaphorically represent the broader theme of acceptance and understanding.

Thematic Analysis

Isolation and Acceptance

Literary Device	Explanation
Symbolism	Edward’s scissorhands symbolize his physical and emotional isolation.
Juxtaposition	The contrast between Edward’s mansion and the suburb underscores his separation from society.

The Beauty of Imperfection

Literary Device	Explanation
Metaphor	Edward’s unique creations metaphorically represent the beauty found in imperfection.
Irony	Edward’s gentle nature contrasts with his frightening appearance, highlighting the theme of inner beauty.

Societal Conformity

Literary Device	Explanation
Allegory	The suburb’s uniformity and the community’s reaction to Edward allegorically critique societal pressure to conform.
Hyperbole	The exaggerated reactions of the townspeople emphasize the absurdity of societal norms.

Cinematic Techniques That Enhance Literary Devices

Literary Device	Technique	Explanation
Symbolism	Visual Composition	The contrast between the gothic mansion and the pastel suburb symbolizes Edward’s isolation.
Imagery	Color Palette	The use of vibrant colors in the suburb versus the dark tones of the mansion creates a visual representation of Edward’s internal conflict.
Metaphor	Costume Design	Edward’s costume, especially his scissorhands, visually represents his outsider status and artistic uniqueness.
Juxtaposition	Lighting	The lighting in Edward’s mansion versus the suburb creates a stark contrast, highlighting his separation from society.

Key Scene Analysis

Scene 1: Edward’s Introduction to the Community

Link: Edward Meets the Neighbors

Breakdown:

• Literary Devices: Irony, Symbolism
• Cinematic Techniques: Bright, cheerful lighting contrasts with Edward’s dark appearance, symbolizing his alienation.

Scene 2: The Ice Dance

Link: The Ice Dance

Breakdown:

• Literary Devices: Imagery, Metaphor
• Cinematic Techniques: The use of slow-motion and ethereal music enhances the dreamlike quality, metaphorically representing the beauty of Edward’s soul.

Scene 3: The Final Confrontation

Link: The Final Confrontation

Breakdown:

• Literary Devices: Allegory, Juxtaposition
• Cinematic Techniques: Dark, intense lighting and dramatic music emphasize the climax, highlighting the allegorical battle between good and evil.

Conclusion

Interactive Quiz:

1. What literary device is primarily used in Edward’s character design?
   • A) Metaphor
   • B) Symbolism
   • C) Irony
2. How does the color palette of the suburb contribute to the film’s themes?
   • A) It represents the vibrant life of the community.
   • B) It contrasts with Edward’s world to symbolize his isolation.
   • C) It highlights the societal conformity of the townspeople.
3. What does the ice dance scene metaphorically represent?
   • A) The fleeting nature of beauty.
   • B) Edward’s artistic expression.
   • C) The coldness of the community.
4. How does the film use juxtaposition to highlight Edward’s differences?
   • A) By contrasting his dark mansion with the bright suburb.
   • B) By showing his kindness despite his scary appearance.
   • C) Both A and B.