Analysis
With the turn of the 21st century, rapid and unprecedented technological and scientific advancements have brought into question the future of mankind as we know it, along with rising environmental concerns. This progress has also reduced the value and appreciation of the arts and humanities and their contributions to human progress. Margaret Atwood, a prolific writer and vocal environmentalist, has repeatedly criticized the decreasing prestige of the humanities against the over-popularity of STEM education, and Oryx and Crake is another exploration of how the world might be if scientific ambitions and corporate influence on governmental policymaking are left unchecked.
Published in 2003, the novel begins with two epigraphs. The first is from Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels. In this excerpt, Swift’s narrator claims that he will not impress his reader with “strange improbable tales” but rather narrate the story “in the simplest manner and style.” The second epigraph is from Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse. This excerpt comprises three questions, each of which wonders how to navigate the dangerous “ways of the world.”
Foreshadowing the events of the book in this manner, Oryx and Crake weaves together a dystopian narrative that explores the themes of scientific advancement, ethical responsibility, and the consequences of unchecked corporate power. Set in a future world ravaged by environmental degradation and genetic manipulation, the plot follows the protagonist, Jimmy, as he navigates the aftermath of a global pandemic engineered by his childhood friend, Crake, and grapples with the implications of their actions.
The book is written in the same style as many of Atwood’s novels, that of speculative fiction, and while the narrative depicts the future, many of the scientific and cultural trends have been drawn from our current life. Hence, the novel can be considered a critique of modern life.
Atwood’s narrative technique is characterized by a nonlinear structure and a first-person perspective. The story unfolds through the eyes of Jimmy, who recounts events from his past in a reflective and fragmented manner, thus also allowing the reader to have an insight into Jimmy’s thoughts. This nonlinear structure—shuffling between the past and the post-apocalyptic present—allows the author to create suspense and intrigue as readers piece together the events leading up to the catastrophic pandemic.
At the heart of the novel lies the theme of scientific hubris and its potential for catastrophic consequences. Crake, a brilliant but morally ambiguous scientist, embodies the pursuit of knowledge divorced from ethical considerations. His creation of the genetically modified beings known as the Crakers epitomizes the dangers of playing God, as he seeks to eradicate perceived human imperfections through genetic engineering. This positions Crake in the literary tradition of other mad scientists (an example being Mary Shelley’s Victor Frankenstein), who, in their hubris and unbridled ambition, bring about unstoppable destruction.
Furthermore, the novel explores the intersection of corporate greed and scientific innovation, highlighting the exploitation of technology for profit at the expense of human welfare. Corporations, such as the omnipotent biotech conglomerate CorpSeCorps, wield immense power and influence, manipulating public perception and controlling access to vital resources. Through the character of Jimmy’s mother, a disillusioned scientist who becomes aware of corporate greed, Atwood critiques the collusion between government and industry and the erosion of ethical standards in the pursuit of profit.
The theme of environmental degradation looms large throughout the narrative, serving as a backdrop to the unfolding crisis. Atwood paints a bleak portrait of a world ravaged by climate change, deforestation, and pollution, underscoring the urgent need for environmental stewardship and sustainable practices. The novel’s depiction of a society teetering on the brink of collapse serves as a chilling reminder of the consequences of ecological neglect and the imperative to address global environmental challenges, echoing current global concerns.
Central to the plot is the complex relationship between Jimmy, Crake, and Oryx, each representing different facets of human nature and moral ambiguity. Jimmy, the protagonist, serves as a passive observer caught in the crossfire of Crake’s ambition and Oryx’s enigmatic presence. His journey of self-discovery and moral reckoning mirrors the larger themes of the novel as he grapples with guilt, regret, and the search for redemption in a world devoid of innocence.
Oryx, the enigmatic love interest shared by Jimmy and Crake, embodies the complexities of exploitation and resilience in the face of adversity. Her tragic backstory, marked by exploitation and abuse, highlights the commodification of human life and the enduring quest for freedom and self-determination. Through Oryx’s character, Atwood explores themes of agency, victimhood, and the search for meaning in a world devoid of traditional moral compasses. She is also a symbol of the intellectual and, later, the sexual rivalry between Jimmy and Crake.
Oryx and Crake is a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection of science, ethics, and human nature in a world on the brink of collapse. The novel invites readers to confront uncomfortable truths about technological advancement and the fragility of the natural world, serving to remind them that this future is highly plausible if greed is left unchecked.
