In today’s discussion, we will be exploring the theme of alternative worlds in two well-known narratives: The Ugly Duckling and Edward Scissorhands. The Ugly Duckling, a timeless fairy tale penned by Andersen, depicts the life of a peculiar and unattractive bird. Despite not being a duck, the young protagonist bears a resemblance to one during his early years. Consequently, he is shunned by other animals for his bizarre appearance. This mistreatment leads him to embark on a solitary journey away from home. Eventually, the once forlorn bird undergoes a marvelous transformation and emerges as a majestic swan, earning the admiration and adoration of those around him.
Edward Scissorhands, directed by Tim Burton, is a melancholic romantic film about a man with scissorhands who falls in love but ultimately separates from his beloved. The movie explores themes of uniqueness and societal exclusion.
The Ugly Duckling also addresses the theme of exclusion through dialogues among different animals. It focuses on the duckling’s size, color, perceived ugliness, and distinctive appearance that set it apart from other ducks.
After leaving his home, the ugly duckling encounters a cat named ‘Sonny’ and a hen named ‘chickey shortleg’. The author juxtaposes the perspectives of the cat, hen, and duckling to highlight the contrast between their worlds. The hen’s sole focus is on laying eggs, while the cat prioritizes activities like arching its back, purring, and making sparks. Both believe that making their owner happy is their purpose in life. However, the duckling differs from them in his desire for freedom. He values the blue sky and fresh air of his own world. Throughout the story, the audience can observe the duckling’s solitary existence as he continues to live in his unique reality.
When the duckling lived at home, others would exclude him because of his appearance. However, after leaving home, the cat and hen accepted him. Despite their acceptance, they had different lifestyles and could not comprehend the duckling’s ways, leading them to believe he was crazy. Consequently, he had to leave once again. This children’s fairy tale teaches a valuable lesson — laughing at or excluding others based on their appearance is unfair. The duckling’s loneliness is akin to Edward’s in Edward Scissorhands. Both the duckling and Edward stand apart from their respective groups due to their distinctiveness.
That is one reason they had excluded in a common world. Both of them are lonely, regardless if other animals talk to the duckling or if the ladies look like they accept Edward. So, in the end, they both return to their own world – the duckling becomes a swan and goes to the river, while Edward goes back to the castle. The audience can see that the duck mum is similar to Peg – she explains to other animals that “he isn’t so handsome, but he’s as good as can be, and he swims just as well as the rest,” as she wants the other animals to accept the ugly duckling. Peg also explains this to the ladies.
In both The Ugly Duckling and Edward Scissorhands, there is a character who helps the outcast and attempts to gain acceptance for them. However, despite their efforts, in the end, everyone including other animals and the ugly duckling’s siblings wants nothing to do with them. Even the mother duck wishes for her child to be far away from her. Similarly, in Edward Scissorhands, Peg believes that it is best for both Edward and the rest of society if he were to leave town due to a change in people’s attitude towards him. Both stories highlight the destructive power of gossip.
Both The Ugly Duckling and Edward Scissorhands depict characters who experience harsh judgment and mistreatment from others. In The Ugly Duckling, the duckling is deemed unattractive and becomes a target of bullying by other animals, causing him to leave his home. Similarly, in Edward Scissorhands, suburban gossip alters people’s opinion of Edward as ladies in the neighborhood begin to view him differently. Consequently, Edward decides to return to the castle at the story’s conclusion.
However, there exists a significant contrast between the two narratives. The ugly duckling’s hope is eventually realized as he undergoes a miraculous transformation into a stunning swan, aligning with his initial aspiration. This element classifies The Ugly Duckling as a fairy tale. Conversely, Edward’s longing for normal human hands remains unfulfilled throughout the tale. Ultimately, he remains an exceptional and incomplete robot.
Using anthropomorphism, the Composer captivated the audience with a fairy tale that portrays the real world. The concise paragraphs effectively convey animals conversing amongst themselves. Both The Ugly Duckling and Edward Scissorhands strive to convey the message of equality in this world. Despite differing appearances, such as diverse colors or disabilities, all individuals inhabit the same world and thus deserve equal treatment and love. Thank you for your attention. Do you have any questions?
