Summary:

Margaret Atwood’s novel Oryx and Crake is set in the seemingly not-too-distant yet post-apocalyptic future in which the main character, Snowman, lives alone near a village of “Crakers,” a superhuman species of genetically-manipulated clones. Snowman was named guardian and teacher over these individuals by their creator, his old friend Crake, before Crake destroyed the human race by lacing a “miracle pill” with harmful properties that have fatal effects. As the story goes on, one learns more about Snowman’s past as “Jimmy,” living on a compound owned by the company OrganInc, and how the Crakers came to exist.

Themes:

One major theme of the novel questions the distinction between humans and animals. In the book, the reader is introduced to pigoons, pigs that are genetically engineered to grow human organs. Pigoons are regarded as unfit to for human consumption, since their quasi-human makeup blurs the lines of cannibalism. Further, the Crakers are human-based creations that exhibit many animal-like features, including herbivorous digestive systems, non-human mating rituals, and natural scents. The book calls into question the extent of their humanity and where a line, if any, should be drawn between humans and animals.

Another theme of the novel is nature versus artifice. Throughout the novel, Atwood shows examples of where objects have been tainted by technology and science. One particular example are the ChickieNobs, which enabled just parts of the chicken to be grown through tubes and bulbs. Through creatures like the ChickieNobs, Atwood comments on the power of genetics and science as well as the disturbing nature of genetic modification.

A third theme is the desire for immortality. Throughout the novel, there is an emphasis on elements of time. Allusions to time occur through mentionings of Snowman’s watch, Snowman’s thoughts about life and death, and Crake’s desire to achieve immortality through the Crakers. Crake believes that the fear of death leads to mortality, and thus he tries to eliminate this fear completely.

About the Author:

Margaret Atwood is a Canadian author born in 1939 and is known for her poetry, short stories, and novels. Several key themes and subjects can be found throughout her works, including art and its development, sexual dynamics, and ideologies. She often examines classical works and stories and presents them to a modern audience. While Atwood continues to write, she has also taken an interest in developing new scientific and technological inventions.

Kathryn Byron and Mollie Maples

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