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Blade Runner Human Quotes

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What makes something or someone human can often be unclear. Humans have many preconceived notions about who and what they are and what their rightful place in society is. These notions, however, are frequently at odds with reality. The uncertainty of what makes someone human is explored in Ridley Scott's classic science fiction film Blade Runner. Dr. Eldon Tyrell's Tyrell Corporation created the replicants to be sub-human servants that were clearly distinct from and inferior to human beings; the replicants were intentionally designed to be unable to express emotions, particularly empathy, which is believed to be a trait that only human beings can possess. Human beings believe that the quintessential thing that makes them human and distinguishes …show more content…

Once Deckard becomes a blade runner again, he shows no respect for the replicants, brutally murdering every one he can find. Deckard does not display human feelings; in fact, he appears to be the epitome of inhumanity. Deckard does not demonstrate any feelings at all, particularly empathy. When examined closely, this is Scott's way of suggesting the possibility that Deckard may, in fact, be a replicant as his actions and character development closely resemble that of a replicant. It is possible that Deckard could be murdering his own "people", and he might not even know it. Over time, Deckard eventually begins to demonstrate feelings towards others, especially Rachel. His feelings for Rachel are evident when he asks her, "Do you love me...and do you trust me" (Scott). After Rachel replies that she does, Deckard demonstrates his love for Rachel by giving her an emotional kiss on the lips. As Deckard falls in love with Rachel, a moral issue emerges. That is, he still continues to hunt someone whom he loves. Morality and ethics have been completely disregarded. As time goes by, though, Deckard appears to become more sophisticated and develops a sense of morality. He chooses not to kill Rachel, and instead runs away with her (Scott). Deckard's actions coincide with the actions of the replicants. When the replicants were first created, they did not display emotions, but over time, the replicants became more complex and began to develop human like qualities. Similarly, Deckard has done the same thing in his lifetime and it leads back to the possibility of him being a replicant. The boundary between humans and the replicants is rapidly becoming unclear. This creates a feeling of uncertainty, which is frightening as it leads to the thought that humans cannot be sure about what makes them human and consequently they cannot be sure if they are in fact human. This threatens the perception that the "real"

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