outline

Step 1

Argument: In the film Edward Scissorhands, director Tim Burton satirizes American suburbia and its inhabitants. By portraying suburbanites as being uniform in both appearance and behavior living in an aesthetically flawless environment, Burton communicates the lack of individuality in an externally perfect society. After Edward, an artificial man, arrives, the corrupt nature of these inhabitants becomes apparent when they attempt to exploit and commodify his unique abilities. This film challenges the notion of humanity and those who possess it.

Topic 1: Suburban lifestyles and people

Topic 2: Edward and humanized qualities

Topic 3: Exploitation of Edward’s talents/Attempt to integrate him

Step 2

Topic 1:
1. Construction of neighborhood (men leaving for work scene)
2. Stereotypical gender roles: women – loquacious nature - housewives
3. Men – leading role in finances and families (dinner scene)
Topic 2:
1. Physical and emotional contrast between humans and Edward
2. Individualizes suburbanites – haircuts and topiaries
3. Ice sculpture scene – radiates nonconformance and imagination
Topic 3:
1. Peg tries to cover Edward’s scars with concealer
2. Edward’s hands used as kitchen/haircutting tools– devalues artistry
3. Edward is manipulated to break into a house

Step 3

Topic 1:
1. Construction of neighborhood (men leaving for work scene)
Secondary source:
Dreaming Suburbia by Amy Maria Kenyon
Kenyon suggests that suburbia “provides the necessary geography” to foster uniform lifestyles. To achieve a sense of self and belonging, suburbanites make their homes and themselves indistinguishable from their neighbors. I plan to use Kenyon’s assertion in addressing suburbanites’ desire to collectively maintain the spirit of suburbia/America.

2 and 3.
Secondary source:
Dreaming Suburbia by Amy Maria Kenyon
Kenyon addresses social homogeneity in American suburbia using anecdotes and outside sources. By attributing the homogeneous nature of suburbanites to a unified desire to achieve national prosperity in a time following war, Kenyon argues that though they conform outwardly, suburbanites are highly capable of evolving emotionally and recognizing their roles in society. I will use Kenyon’s claims which will complicate my previous examination of suburban men and women.

Topic 2:
1. Physical and emotional contrast between humans and Edward
Secondary source:
“American Beasts: The Cinematic…Scissorhands” by Viola Rondeboom
Edward’s physical difference from the suburbanites is conspicuous, as his gothic appearance and scissorhands mark his physical abnormality. Furthermore, his physical appearance suggests spiritual purity. Unlike the gaudy suburbanites, Edward is clad in black and white, indicating that he is untainted by elements of society.

2. Individualizes suburbanites – haircuts and topiaries
Secondary source:
“American Beasts: The Cinematic…Scissorhands” by Viola Rondeboom
Prior to Edward’s arrival, everything in the neighborhood looked identical and rather dull. Using his talent, Edward transforms the town by embellishing yards with topiaries and giving women different hairstyles. I plan on using Rondeboom’s analysis to support my claim that Edward culturally enriches the neighborhood.

3. Ice sculpture scene – radiates nonconformance and imagination
Secondary source:
“Edward Schizohands: The Postmodern Gothic Body” by Russell A. Potter
Potter asserts that in creating the ice sculptures, Edward becomes the “fabricator” as opposed to being the “fabricated”. Much like the sculptures which freeze in time, Edward “remains untransformed and unassimilated” (16). I will use Potter’s analysis to support my claim that Edward’s ice sculptures resonate the humanly qualities absent in suburbia.

Topic 3:
1. Peg tries to cover Edward’s scars with concealer
Secondary source:
Belonging in America by Perin
Perin suggests when “normal” people interact with the abnormal, often disabled people, the normal people are doubtful that they can deal with the abnormal with “mortal” means. I will argue that Peg’s maternal instinct and role as the “Avon Lady” contribute to her desire to nurture and “fix” Edward.

2. Edward’s hands used as kitchen/haircutting tools – devalues artistry
Secondary source:
“American Beasts” by Viola Rondeboom
While the neighbors initially celebrate Edward’s uniqueness and treat him as a local celebrity, they do so only because they can utilize his abilities for practical means. In a way, “they are merely incorporating and instrumentalizing” his talents.

3. Edward is manipulated to break into a house
Secondary source:
“Pleasantville? The Suburb…Movies” by Douglas Muzzio and Thomas Halper
According to the authors, a Fin de Siecle film negatively portrays suburbia as a distorted society containing individuals who are materialistic, self-serving, and mentally inhibited.

Step 4

Topic 1 Intro: The suburban life is clearly a monotonous one, as the suburbanites’ obsession with conformity and adherence to social norms dictate their lifestyles.
1. The uniform behavior of suburbanites is evident in an early scene which captures the town’s landscape and the men’s daily routine as they leave for work.
2. While women are characterized as shallow individuals fixated with meaningless chitchat, their behavior may be justified by aspects of economy and culture.
3. Men’s active role in financially contributing to their families and the national economy is illustrated in the Boggs’ family dinner scene.

Topic 2 Intro: Edward as an individual and artist suggests that though he is physically artificial, his extraordinary qualities render him more humanly than the humans themselves.
1. Not only does his physical appearance digress from the unified image of the suburbanites, Edward possesses a spirit that is untarnished amidst a body of corrupt individuals.
2. Edward’s arrival culturally enriches the town, as he is able to use his art to bring uniqueness to the people and their homes.
3. Edward’s nonconformance and his ability to inspire those around him are apparent in a final scene in which he creates an ice sculpture resembling Kim.

Topic 3 Intro: The exploitation of Edward’s talents and attempts to assimilate Edward reflect on suburbanites’ inability to fully embrace diversity.
1. In an early scene, Peg tries to conceal Edward’s facial scars with Avon cosmetics; this act insinuates her attempt to integrate Edward into society by covering the unique scars that make him human.
2. Edward’s talents are depreciated when the suburbanites attempt to commodify them for practical means.
3. Edward is exploited again to a greater extent when he is used to rob a house. Jim exploits Edward’s affection for Kim, which in essence, is more harmful to Edward as his emotions become jeopardized.