Oryx And Crake Setting Analysis

In Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake, Atwood seems to be offering a forewarning of the troubles that are to come if our rapacious, self-obsessed society continues at the current rate. When I say “current rate” I am referring to the lack of regard for nature and animal preservation, the increasing intrusiveness of the NSA, the absolute power that large corporations are accumulating, and the severe income disparity. The issues listed above may seem miniscule in our culture at the moment, but in Oryx and Crake such issues are exemplified demonstrating the consequences of the progression of such problems. Atwood constructs a futuristic, desolate setting that is dictated by pharmaceutical companies. These companies take advantage of the citizens

With no form of government, the fraudulent corporations act as the law of the land. Atwood uses the setting in the story in order to accentuate the separation of the classes and put emphasis on how “numbers people” are highly valued, living in compounds contrary to the “words people” who are disregarded completely, left to fend for themselves in the slums. Several recurring themes are used to convey her message throughout the story such as Corruption, Disease, and Nature. Setting is by far the most significant factor that Atwood uses when presenting her post apocalyptic world. The setting of the story occurs in two different places, at a washed up beach where Snowman is residing, and also in compounds depicted through flashbacks of Jimmy’s childhood. Setting

Instances of corruption start with Jimmy and Crake watching child Internet pornography and other horrific occurrences while “toking up”. This reveals a peak at the corruption that occurs throughout the world. As the story develops corruption becomes more evident. Large corporations act as the government resulting in large protests occurring around the world. One instance of corruption that had me in awe was when Jimmy was forced to watch his mother’s horrendous execution. This specific occurrence defines corruption, an individual being slaughtered for simply speaking out against the powerful pharmaceutical company. Nature is the next premise that seems to be lingering constantly throughout the text. The question constantly remains in my mind, how much is too much? Society faces questions of morality; humans are obsessed with immortality and will do almost anything to attain it. With the addition of “ChickiNobs”, genetically modified chicken made to produce more meat than ever, the sense that science has crossed the line had heightened. The theme of nature is related to Crake’s decision at the end of the book when he is faced with a decision, to kill the three new inhabitants or to put the Children of Crake at risk by letting the three survive who most likely would decide to kill the Crakers. He is essentially playing the role of God. Science clearly goes beyond its purpose in turn altering people’s lives