The Theme of Being Different in Edward Scissorhands

Edward Scissorhands is a film directed by Tim Burton that was released in December 1990. Edward, a man with scissors for hands, is taken in by Peggy, a kind Avon lady, after the passing of his inventor. The film also explores acceptance, as Edward is considered an outcast. Throughout the film it is shown that Edward finds it hard to conform when he is different from those around him. During the film we can tell Edward feels and is treated different as he is judged, has to change and is misunderstood.

Throughout the film Tim Burton shows how Edward is judged on his appearance before people can really get to know him. In the scene where there is a long shot of Edward walking out to meet Peg for the first time, Peg tries to get the unknown figure to come out. When Peg sees Edward, we can tell in her reaction that she is shocked and a bit scared. Peggy says “oh my, I can see that I’ve disturbed you, how stupid of me. I’ll just be going now”. However, Peggy decides to stay and meet Edward, this results in Edward living with Peg. Based on first look Peg seemed as if she wanted to get away from Edward, almost as if his appearance was threatening. We know that after their conversation Pegs view on Edward changes. Unsurprisingly Edward experiences judgement with almost any person who he meets. Tim Burton makes it appear as though Edward is dangerous or harmful by the way he looks. Edward’s appearance also makes it difficult for the audience not to judge him. As a result of Edward being unfinished and kept in isolation for a large amount of time, he appears different to others on the outside.

In parts of the film some aspects of Edward especially his appearance change, Tim Burton may have done this on purpose to help Edward fit in with the neighbourhood. In the scene where Edward gets given Bill’s clothes at Pegs house parts of his physical appearance change. He gets new clothes and Peg tries to cover up the scars on Edwards face. Once Edward has put on the new clothes Peg says, “you look fine, just fine. By doing this Peg tries to help Edward fit in, but it shows us as an audience that for Edward to try and fit in he needs to look like everyone else and that he can’t really have a sense of himself in the way he dresses or looks. It seems as though Edward needs to come across as someone that is not himself. Even though Edward did have a change of appearance we can tell that it is hard to be accepted when you appear different to others.

Tim Burton makes characters react to Edward’s actions as if what Edward was doing wasn’t out of pure kindness. In the scene where Kevin is crossing the road and is about to get hit by Jim’s van, Edward does save Kevin by pushing him out of the way. Unfortunately, when he pushes Kevin out of the way Edward lands on Kevin and cuts him multiple times. This gets the neighbourhood’s attention, however no one knows that before this Edward saved Kevin. When Edward does this, it should prove that his intentions are good and always have been. We know what Edward did was kind-hearted yet in the neighbourhood Edward is misunderstood nearly all the time. Despite the fact that Edward will always act for others and try and do good no one will believe Edward because they have their own thoughts and opinions about him.

Being Different and accepted is one of the main themes displayed in Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands. He shows that Edward is judged, has to change and is misunderstood, and with all that he still cannot fully fit in. The audience can connect and empathise with Edward throughout the movie because his issue occurs in the real world. Today in society it is important that we be ourselves and that we don’t act another way to fit in.