Stephanie's Discussion #6: Main Character Comparison

Matt and Vincent may be from two different storylines, but they have a lot in common. In both Matt’s and Vincent’s world you are what you are when you are born or in some cases genetically made. In Matt’s world, power means everything. It is a hot and dry place with fields of blindingly white flowers in every direction. Whereas in Vincent’s world, DNA means everything. It’s in a city type environment with what seems to be a si-fi theme. It seems like these two characters are discriminated from the population of the people. Matt is a person who was altered from another person’s cell and Vincent was weak in society because he wasn’t altered and ended up with a heart condition. Most people look down on Matt and Vincent because of these defects and treat them differently because of how their societies portray them. In these two different societies you have to be perfect and not have a single fault. Perfect people get to go to Gattaca in Gattaca and perfect people live a happy, wealthy life in The House of the Scorpion. These two storylines have one main theme, this is the theme of DNA. They seem to be set in a futuristic time period. I wonder if this is major theme between not only these two stories but between many other stories?

Main Character Comparison Jamie

Matt and Vincent are very similar characters.  I think that Matt has always struggled with his identity and so has Vincent.  In several ways, these two main characters are remarkably similar.  Although they live in different worlds completely, I think there's an overall message of identity.  Matt has gone through so much at such a young age.  While there really is no physical difference between him and a person who is not a clone, he is different.  He carries with him a stereotype of not being worth it.  Vincent has struggled with his identity as well.  He was not genetically altered before birth, unlike his older brother.  He has a higher risk of heart disease because of this.  Although there is a chance he won't have a heart problem, it doesn't matter.  It's been decided that he's unfit for his dream.  One difference I do see between the two is that Matt is incapable of even having huge dreams because he is in constant danger.  Vincent, on the other hand, has one dream he focuses on completely.  He is blinded by his desire to go into space.  However, anything Matt and Vincent want to do, they have to do twice as well to be considered half as good.  This is their lifestyle and neither wants to accept it.  In one scene we see Vincent's parents telling him to eat.  While a harmless gesture, it triggers something in Vincent.  He wants to study the planets.  To him, it's an attack at his heart problems.  It bothers him that it's been accepted that he has heart problems, even though he really might have no heart problem at all.  In the movie, Vincent has decided to change his circumstances and in "House of the Scorpion" Matt has decided to do so as well.  I think what makes these characters so relatable is the theme of their lives is the same, that you don't have to be a victim of your circumstances.              

Jordans Individual Post #5

• We are going to be comparing Matt to Vincent. Now the first thing that really slapped me upside the head was the difference between what is seen as normal in the different societies. In Gattaca being genetically modified is seen as normal and makes you more likely to succeed. But in the Scorpion house, being a clone is seen as a horrifying thing. Almost as though it is a disease to them instead of a blessing. I noticed this as it was quite prominent in both story lines. Because Matt is a clone he is seen as a lesser and is treated so. But because Vincent is not a genetic baby he is seen as a lesser and therefore not allowed into Gattaca.This I found odd because while we are supposed to be looking for similarities in between the two stories when the biggest thing in common is something that is exact opposites. The way society views messing with genes is very different. But yet the topic is so similar even though the stories are different. The other thing is how both people have to pretend to be someone else, Vincent pretends to be Jerome, and Matt runs to the orphanage and pretends his parents were taken. It was really the most important thing that struck me was how these people never can be accepted as they are both seen as lower class due to their genetics. Matt because he is a clone and Vincent because he is conceived the normal way and can never be better then others. So really their greatest similarity is the thing that is the most different from each other.