Meet the Unseen Exception: How 'Edward Scissorhands' Perpetuates Ableism
For years, I've been grappling with my own identity as a disabled individual. The recent reevaluation of Tim Burton's 1990 classic "Edward Scissorhands" has me thinking about how we perceive disability in our society. On the surface, the film may appear to be a sympathetic tale of an outsider finding acceptance in a suburban community. But scratch beneath the façade and you'll find a complex exploration of ableism.
The title character, Edward, is a symbol of the "exceptional" disabled individual – someone who challenges societal norms but also reinforces them. His appearance, with scissors for hands and pale white skin, serves as a constant reminder of his difference. The film's reliance on Edward's exceptionalism creates a power dynamic where he's perceived as a novelty or a freak, rather than a human being.
This notion is reinforced by the neighbors, who fetishize and objectify Edward. They're drawn to him because of his disability, but only insofar as it makes them feel better about their own lives. When Joyce tries to seduce Edward, it's clear that her interest is rooted in her desire to be seen as progressive and open-minded – rather than genuinely interested in getting to know him.
The film also highlights the tension between those who see disability as a limitation and those who view it as an opportunity for creativity and uniqueness. When Edward is interviewed on TV, someone in the crowd says that if he had regular hands, he'd be just like everyone else. This statement ignores the very real barriers that people with disabilities face in society.
The most disturbing aspect of "Edward Scissorhands" is how it perpetuates ableism through its portrayal of power dynamics between the abled and disabled. Even within the Boggs family, who seem to genuinely care for Edward, there are moments of exploitation and manipulation. When Kim coerces him into breaking into her boyfriend's house to steal money, it's a clear example of using someone with a disability as a means to an end.
The film's conclusion, where Edward returns to his castle alone, is bittersweet at best. It suggests that two worlds exist: one for the abled and one for the disabled. The final shot of Edward's isolated home serves as a stark reminder that even those who are perceived as exceptional or special can still be relegated to the fringes of society.
In "Edward Scissorhands," we're presented with a complex exploration of disability that is both fascinating and infuriating. While it may have been released 35 years ago, its themes remain just as relevant today. By examining the little nuances of disability, the film reveals a world where those who are seen as exceptional or special can still be subject to exclusion and manipulation.
Ultimately, "Edward Scissorhands" is a reminder that our perceptions of disability are often rooted in ableism – a system that privileges the needs and experiences of the abled. By confronting these biases head-on, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
For years, I've been grappling with my own identity as a disabled individual. The recent reevaluation of Tim Burton's 1990 classic "Edward Scissorhands" has me thinking about how we perceive disability in our society. On the surface, the film may appear to be a sympathetic tale of an outsider finding acceptance in a suburban community. But scratch beneath the façade and you'll find a complex exploration of ableism.
The title character, Edward, is a symbol of the "exceptional" disabled individual – someone who challenges societal norms but also reinforces them. His appearance, with scissors for hands and pale white skin, serves as a constant reminder of his difference. The film's reliance on Edward's exceptionalism creates a power dynamic where he's perceived as a novelty or a freak, rather than a human being.
This notion is reinforced by the neighbors, who fetishize and objectify Edward. They're drawn to him because of his disability, but only insofar as it makes them feel better about their own lives. When Joyce tries to seduce Edward, it's clear that her interest is rooted in her desire to be seen as progressive and open-minded – rather than genuinely interested in getting to know him.
The film also highlights the tension between those who see disability as a limitation and those who view it as an opportunity for creativity and uniqueness. When Edward is interviewed on TV, someone in the crowd says that if he had regular hands, he'd be just like everyone else. This statement ignores the very real barriers that people with disabilities face in society.
The most disturbing aspect of "Edward Scissorhands" is how it perpetuates ableism through its portrayal of power dynamics between the abled and disabled. Even within the Boggs family, who seem to genuinely care for Edward, there are moments of exploitation and manipulation. When Kim coerces him into breaking into her boyfriend's house to steal money, it's a clear example of using someone with a disability as a means to an end.
The film's conclusion, where Edward returns to his castle alone, is bittersweet at best. It suggests that two worlds exist: one for the abled and one for the disabled. The final shot of Edward's isolated home serves as a stark reminder that even those who are perceived as exceptional or special can still be relegated to the fringes of society.
In "Edward Scissorhands," we're presented with a complex exploration of disability that is both fascinating and infuriating. While it may have been released 35 years ago, its themes remain just as relevant today. By examining the little nuances of disability, the film reveals a world where those who are seen as exceptional or special can still be subject to exclusion and manipulation.
Ultimately, "Edward Scissorhands" is a reminder that our perceptions of disability are often rooted in ableism – a system that privileges the needs and experiences of the abled. By confronting these biases head-on, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
I just watched "Edward Scissorhands" again and I'm still creeped out by how the neighbors fetishize Edward's disability 
. They're like, "Oh look at us, we're so progressive and open-minded because we can relate to this 'tragic' outsider" 
. Meanwhile, they're exploiting him for their own entertainment value 
. It's like, hello, ableism is real and it's not just about being "different", it's about being objectified and used as a spectacle 
. I wish the film would have explored more of Edward's agency and autonomy, instead of making him just another symbol of his disability 
.
so i'm watching edward scissorhands again after reading this article and it's blowing my mind how much ableism is actually woven into the story 
and meanwhile they're treating his sister kim like dirt when she needs help 
also that final shot of edward's castle is so haunting, it feels like we're seeing a glimmer of the isolation that disabled people often face in society 
what's wild is how much this film predicted some of our current issues around disability and ableism, from the way companies use "inspirational" language to describe people with disabilities 
anyway i'm gonna be thinking about this film in a whole new light after reading this article 
. Edward Scissorhands is literally the embodiment of how society tries to co-opt and exploit people with disabilities for their own gain 
. I mean, come on, who needs to be "sympathetic" when you can just tokenize someone's disability for your own social cred 
? The film's message about finding acceptance in a suburban community is totally lost on me 
. It's all just a bunch of hippie nonsense 
, and I'm here for it 
. On one hand, I get why you'd say it perpetuates ableism - Edward's uniqueness makes him an object of fascination and curiosity for those around him, but it also reinforces the idea that people with disabilities are somehow 'other' or exceptional. The way the neighbors treat him is pretty disturbing, especially when they're using him as a tool to make themselves feel better about their own lives 
. And when Edward is interviewed on TV, that crowd member saying he'd be 'just like everyone else' if he had regular hands is just so revealing - it's like they're ignoring all the barriers that people with disabilities face in society 
. And I love how the final shot of Edward's isolated home serves as a reminder that even those who are seen as exceptional or special can still be relegated to the fringes of society 
.
.
. The power dynamics between the abled and disabled are so nuanced, it's like we're watching a bad soap opera 
. It's like, yeah, things haven't changed all that much since then.
. And if we're not careful, we'll keep perpetuating ableism without even realizing it 
.
But hey, at least it's making us talk about these important topics.
And that final shot of Edward's isolated home? More like a sad commentary on how our society still doesn't value people with disabilities 
.
it's like, hello, consent is key, not manipulation. and the fact that the film can still make you feel all those emotions today is testament to how deeply ingrained ableism is in our culture 
I feel like that's a real trap for people with disabilities, where they're always seen as the "other" or the one who doesn't quite fit in.
. But overall, I think it's a movie that's trying to do something real and important 
.
. Like, Edward Scissorhands is meant to be this sympathetic character, right? But actually, his 'exceptionalness' makes him seem more like a freak than someone who can just live their life 
.
. But also how much work we still need to do 
. Like, what if the neighbors didn't see Edward as "exceptional" but instead saw him as a human being who just happens to have scissors for hands? 
.
.
i mean, shouldn't he just be treated like a person instead of being fetishized? 
we need to work on making ableism a thing of the past, you know? 