world was left in destruction and damage‚ though they were not the only remnants. A new world begins with the ending of the human race by cataclysmic epidemic followed by the emergence of a perfect race. Margaret Atwood’s science fiction novel‚ Oryx and Crake‚ explores a globalized world‚ particularly the social constructs and unforeseen consequences of a science-driven‚ culturally eroded society dominated by hyper-commodification and corporate supremacy. A young scientist by
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Oryx and Crake‚ published in 2003‚ is the first book in Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy. It revolves around Snowman as he navigates a post-apocalyptic world‚ in which humankind has been eradicated by a virus formulated by his childhood friend Crake. His only companions are the Crakers – a group of genetically modified beings that are a blend of human and animal – created by Crake as a superior replacement for the human race. The book also recounts Snowman’s life prior to the apocalypse‚ providing
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for Discussion 1. Oryx and Crake includes many details that seem futuristic‚ but are in fact already visible in our world. What parallels were you able to draw between the items in the world of the novel and those in your own? 2. Margaret Atwood coined many words and brand names while writing the novel. In what way has technology changed your vocabulary over the past five years? 3. The game "Extinctathon" emerges as a key component in the novel. Jimmy and Crake also play "Barbarian Stomp"
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Created by Crake as a part of the Paradice project‚ they are humanoid creatures that possess what Crake considered the best bits of genetic material from across species. Crake envisioned them to be ideal‚ immortal predecessors to humans after the dispersal of his killer BlyssPluss Pill. The Crakers‚ with their restricted reproductive capacities‚ certainly appear to pose an ideal solution to the problems associated with overpopulation and the lack of pair-bonding amongst them. It no longer matters
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reoccurring subject throughout her novel‚ Oryx and Crake. She includes this topic to further exemplify how humanity and art are intertwined; therefore‚ one cannot exist without the other. In this instance‚ the dystopian society has rejected self-expression and creativity as an acceptable form of pleasure. The result is that citizens have turned to gene splicing‚ public executions‚ and child pornography as a means for entertainment (Atwood …). Throughout this essay‚ the novel will be broken down into examples
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Atwood’s main argument explores the underlying complexities of social issues through the use of a variety of literary techniques. In the society of Oryx and Crake‚ unethical behaviour and the mistreatment of individuals have resulted in a collapse in society. Societal advancements and innovations no longer benefit the vast majority‚ but only the elite. By examining many issues such as these‚ Atwood brings views on morality into question. Drawing parallels to modern society‚ Atwood’s three main concerns
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This collage is made of the genetically engineered animals which are mentioned in Oryx and Crake as well as some other photoshopped hybrid animals. Pigoons‚ rakunks‚ snats‚ wolvogs‚ glowing rabbits‚ liobams and ultimately‚ the creation of the Crakers are evidence of heavily practiced genetic engineering. This not only shows that the world is highly dominated by science and technology‚ but also demonstrates the gradual loss of ethics and moral among scientists and the general public. As Jimmy’s mom
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Introduction As Margaret Atwood herself put it best‚ “not real can tell us about real.” Oryx and Crake is a dystopian novel‚ which plays on the fear of human extinction by the hands of humans themselves. As implausible as it may seem‚ certain technologies and social developments presented in the novel are not entirely farfetched. This essay will discuss the real life analogue of Atwood’s “perfect” modified human race‚ and how technological advances in our current world can possibly lead to our
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But what are the similarities and differences between all the animals? In Oryx and Crake‚ the main animals are hybrids of the animals we know today. The animals are fused together in a lab‚ taking out the ‘bad’ parts of each one and highlighting the ‘good’ parts to create an all-around better product. Jimmy’s pet when he was younger
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However‚ as the desire for perfection increased over time‚ humans grew to be selfish‚ corrupt. Likewise‚ Crake strives to correct and perfect the corrupted world by creating the innocent Crakers. In the novel Oryx and Crake‚ Margaret Atwood asserts that humans desire the ability to play a divine role by constantly striving for perfection and control over the natural world. Jimmy and Crake both experiments what it feels like to be God through the virtual world. They play the game Blood and Roses
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