The Theme of Self-discovery in Edward Scissorhands

Being different, unique, irregular, uncommon is a string of characteristic words that, depending on the person, would bring fear and rejection. This fear of change, of the unknown, is sown within all of us whether we are conscious of it or not as most of us as human beings enjoy routines and actions that guarantee positive results which we have routinely see. The fear of change is a direct relation to the fear of the unknown as change and difference bring along the uncertainty of the future. Yet without differences, one cannot be someone else as one will be too busy to be everyone. This abhorrence of irregularity we have in our nature is picked up by Tim Burton, as he begins to give light to the concept and importance of self-discovery, and the breakthrough of conformity, through his masterful film techniques in the movie Edward Scissorhands. To be specific, examples of self-discovery in Edward Scissorhands is prevalent throughout the movie, as shown by the change of Kim’s perception of Edward, as she realizes the peaceful nature of Edward, Edward’s self-discovery of emotions, such as how he feels when he’s been accepted by the community and the empathetic black policeman, Allen, and his attempt to break free from the view of the majority after empathizing with Edward’s situation.

Kim, the young teenage daughter of Peg, demonstrates a drastic change in character development as she begins to realize the importance of who someone is by their personality and the cunning deceptions of appearance. Kim undergoes a process of self-discovery when she realizes that she is no longer attracted to Jim due to his personality. Instead, she develops an attraction to Edward because of the truth to his peaceful nature albeit his deceptive appearance. We are able to see this transition throughout the movie as Kim begins to shift the colours in her style of clothing. Starting from her time of dating Jim, there was a constant presence of yellow, giving a feeling of happiness, shallow happiness. The happiness one can only see instead of feeling, happiness based on perception instead of definition. She would then transition to the colour of white as a result of dumping Jim and falling in love with Edward. The transition to the colour white symbolizes the acceptance of Edward’s differences as the colour white is known for its purity and acceptance of any colour symbolizing her discovery of Edward’s true intentions regardless of the perception of the many.

Edward is the next to go through his own self-discovery as he realizes and discovers new emotions when he begins to be accepted into the community. Because he spent most of his life in isolation high up in the castle, Edward is the furthest from knowing the concept of the social norm. No concept of human interaction, no concept of life, and no concept of emotions along with his significant difference in appearance doesn’t contribute to the fact of his desire for acceptance. His discovery of self-worth leads to his desire to help the household and neighbours whenever he can. Examples include helping Pegg chop lettuce for the barbeque, cutting the bushes of the residents of the town, and cutting hair for dogs and people alike. Through the helping of others, he experiences the joy of human interaction and connection something he would have never felt if he were to have remained in the castle. We can see the development of Edward’s emotions as his arsenal of facial expressions increase as the movie went on, such as his expression of fury when returning back to the castle, and his expression of happiness when he gets to be of help to Peg.

Lastly, officer Allen, the neighbourhood police officer, gets his own chance of self-discovery in the ocean of conformity. Upon meeting with Edward due to his arrest for the burglary, incident Allen realizes that Edward was a target of discrimination by the town. From his vulnerable way of speech and drastic differences in appearance, officer Allen shows sympathy as he asks the psychologist if the subject in question will be alright if he were to be let back into society. He then further assists Edward by shooting his gun in the air and faking his death. Whether it be because Edward reminded him of himself back in his early days or something else, this selfless act shows that he stuck with his own ideals and values with no need to conform whatsoever.

Thus in the film, Tim Burton brings Edward, incomplete and all alone, into the suburban mess of conformity on a journey of self-discovery. The film demonstrates the importance of finding you’re own self-worth and values as it gives you the ability to think and act for yourself. Therefore Burton shows us a pure character with social problems finding his own worth and meeting with the people that are important. He showed us a story of someone of difference joining a community of conformity and showing us the painful realities that come about. How conformity, although safe and relaxing, can lead to irrational decisions and actions without thinking.

Works cited

• Burton, Tim, director. Edward Scissorhands. 20th Century Fox, 1990.
• “Edward Scissorhands1990.” Quotes, https://www.quotes.net/mquote/27919.
• Edward Scissorhands - Movie Quotes - Rotten Tomatoes, https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/edward_scissorhands/quotes/.