Replicants, engineered to be "more human than human", blur the distinction between nature and culture by the very success of their humanity. We need to have a clear understanding of what is meant by the terms nature and culture. In the introduction to his book, Schelde believes culture to be "a distinctive human domain" . He believes humans have a need to define, to conquer the unknown, to be in control of their surroundings. The result of this is culture. Culture is "an attempt to carve some kind of order out of the vast chaos that is nature." Nature then, is that which is unknown, uncontrollable, that which exists beyond and separate from human interaction. Throughout history humans have assigned symbols and meanings to everything in their surroundings and have tried to convert the unknown nature into their own, cultural terms.

In the opening crawl of the film it says "The Nexus 6 Replicants were superior in strength and agility, and at least equal in intelligence, to the genetic engineers who created them." The Nexus 6 Replicants are genetically engineered beings composed of organic substances and are nearly indist

Replicants are emotionally immature compared to human beings but this does not necessarily mean they have less emotion. In fact the opposite is true. As Telotte suggests, "[replicants] foreground the pattern of self-repression, of private controls that rein in and eventually deny the human" The replicants are not subject to this repression. Cultural controls have not engulfed them and hence, their emotions are freely expressed.

Buckatman, Scott. Bladerunner (London: British Film Institute, 1997.)

For Roy, it is "time to die" . He sits on the roof with a white dove in his hand and tells Deckard of the things he has seen, of all the moments that "will be lost like tears in the rain." As he dies, the dove ascends upwards, as does the white smoke from the smokestacks. The smoke could be seen as the smoke from the candle that has just burnt out, and the dove is certainly a sign of peace and tranquility, the Holy Spirit, setting the soul free. As Schelde so eloquently puts it "The android's soul is released at his death and flies towards its celestial home"

Sebastian is the only human who accepts and befriends the replicants. He seems to be the only human with any sympathy, perhaps empathy. However he is classed in society as a 'special' (a 'chickenhead' in the novel), a genetically defective human. Sympathizing with the plight of the replicants, Sebastian helps Roy Batty meet his creator, Tyrell. Schelde discusses this scene as a "science fiction flirtation with religion" . This is an interesting concept and can be seen to play an important role in the destruction of the nature/culture divide. Tyrell is the god of the replicants, and the Tyrell Corporation building is his temple. Tyrell is not a kind or just god. He is a hardened, unemotional businessman, who has little care for his creations beyond their financial benefits. Tyrell wears thick glasses, another image of the eyes. He is hiding his soul behind a thick glass wall.

Schelde, Per. Androids, Humanoids and Other Science Fiction Monsters (New York: New York University Press, 1993.)

The emotional response of Rick Deckard (human) contrasted with that of Roy Batty (android) is a clear example of this. Deckard is a man devoid of emotions. As a result of his job as a blade runner he has learnt to live his life objectively, completely free of emotional influences, as he himself is willing to admit, a "Sushi....Cold fish." Deckard, being a human, is supposed to have feelings and emotions, yet, at the same time, being a blade runner, is supposed to dull those very things. This paradox places Deckard at the centre of this problem of blurred division lines. As Tellote says, Deckard is "both the force of control and a version of the very thing he is supposed to control" . Deckard is at the junction between nature and culture, and is, in a sense, both of these things.

Tell

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1922
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)