Review of Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

**Review of Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood**

Oryx and Crake (2003) by Margaret Atwood is a dystopian novel that explores themes of genetic engineering, corporate greed, the loss of humanity, and the impact of science and technology on society. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world and follows Snowman, the protagonist, who is one of the last surviving humans after a catastrophic event caused by genetic experiments gone wrong. Through a nonlinear narrative, Snowman reflects on his past, particularly his friendship with Crake, a brilliant and ethically indifferent scientist, and his romantic involvement with Oryx, a mysterious woman who becomes entwined in Crake’s dangerous plans. Atwood’s novel raises profound questions about the ethical implications of biotechnology, humanity’s relationship with nature, and the unintended consequences of scientific progress. The book is both a speculative fiction piece and a cautionary tale, exploring the balance between scientific innovation and moral responsibility.

Themes in Oryx and Crake

The Dangers of Genetic Engineering: One of the central themes of Oryx and Crake is the potential dangers of genetic engineering and the manipulation of life through biotechnology. Through the character of Crake, a genius scientist who creates a race of genetically modified humans known as the Crakers, Atwood explores the ethical issues surrounding the genetic modification of organisms. Crake’s vision of creating a "better" human species—free from the flaws of emotion, disease, and violence—highlights the tension between scientific advancement and unintended consequences. Atwood warns against the arrogance of playing God, and the novel ultimately critiques how the pursuit of perfection through technology can lead to disaster.
Humanity and the Loss of Nature: In Oryx and Crake, Atwood explores the theme of humanity's detachment from nature and its role in environmental degradation. The novel’s world is marked by extinction, pollution, and the collapse of natural ecosystems, often as a direct result of human actions. Snowman, the protagonist, reflects on the loss of the natural world and the ethical dilemmas that arise from humanity’s exploitation of nature. Through the Crakers, Atwood juxtaposes humanity’s destructive tendencies with an idealized, more harmonious existence with nature. The novel serves as a commentary on the disconnection between modern humans and their environment, and the catastrophic consequences of neglecting the earth.
Corporate Control and Ethical Responsibility: Atwood critiques the power of corporate greed and the lack of ethical responsibility in a world dominated by biotechnology and big business. The corporations in the novel, such as HelthWyzer, are portrayed as being more concerned with profit than with the well-being of humanity or the environment. The characters in the novel often view life through a capitalistic lens, where scientific research and genetic engineering are pursued for commercial gain, rather than for the benefit of society. This critique explores how unfettered corporate control can lead to moral degradation and irreversible harm.
Isolation and Identity: Snowman’s journey is also a story about identity and isolation. As the last remaining human in a world ravaged by Crake’s genetic experiments, Snowman must come to terms with his loneliness and the loss of everything he once knew. His reflections on his past with Crake and Oryx reveal the complexity of human identity—shaped by relationships, memories, and choices. Snowman’s journey for survival is also a quest for meaning and understanding, as he grapples with his role in the downfall of humanity and the future of the Crakers. The novel portrays identity as fluid, shaped by both external circumstances and internal struggles.
Love, Desire, and Manipulation: Another key theme is the relationship between love, desire, and manipulation. Snowman’s relationship with Oryx is one of the novel’s emotional core, but it is also marked by manipulation and power dynamics. Oryx, as a character, is enigmatic and complex, serving as both a figure of mystery and idealization for Snowman. Her relationships with both Snowman and Crake are shaped by emotional manipulation and control, raising questions about the nature of love and desire in a world where people are often reduced to objects or commodities. The novel explores the dangers of idealizing others and the ways in which emotional connections can be distorted by power and control.

Character Roles in Oryx and Crake

Snowman: Snowman is the protagonist and narrator of the story. As the last human survivor, he reflects on his past, recounting his friendship with Crake and his relationship with Oryx. Snowman’s character is shaped by guilt, loneliness, and regret, as he contemplates the collapse of humanity and his own role in it. His complex feelings of survival and loss are central to the novel’s exploration of identity, morality, and humanity. Snowman’s journey is as much about self-exploration and redemption as it is about survival in a post-apocalyptic world.
Crake: Crake is Snowman’s childhood friend and the central antagonist of the story. He is a brilliant and cold scientist who creates the Crakers, genetically engineered humans designed to be free of the flaws he sees in humanity. Crake’s character represents the extreme of rationality and scientific hubris, embodying the dangers of playing God in the pursuit of an idealized world. He is manipulative, controlling, and detached from human emotions, believing that humanity’s survival depends on eliminating its flaws through genetic modification. Crake’s actions and philosophies challenge the novel’s exploration of morality, ethics, and the potential consequences of unchecked scientific progress.
Oryx: Oryx is a mysterious woman who plays a pivotal role in both Snowman’s life and Crake’s plans. She serves as the object of Snowman’s love and is an influential figure in Crake’s vision of a new world. Oryx is an enigmatic character whose past, involving sexual exploitation and poverty, is slowly revealed throughout the novel. She represents sexuality, mystery, and idealization, and her relationships with both men are marked by emotional manipulation and power dynamics. Oryx’s role highlights the theme of human desire, and her character is a symbol of survival and adaptability in a harsh and unforgiving world.
The Crakers: The Crakers are a genetically modified species created by Crake to be the “perfect” humans. They are free from violence, sexual jealousy, and disease, but they also lack complex emotions and moral reasoning. The Crakers symbolize Crake’s attempt to create a perfect society by eliminating the inherent flaws of humanity. However, their existence also raises questions about the value of human emotions, the need for complexity in life, and the moral implications of playing with human nature. The Crakers serve as a contrast to Snowman’s view of humanity, representing both the possibility of utopia and the loss of what makes humans human.

Linguistic Tools in Oryx and Crake

Narrative Structure: Oryx and Crake is told in a nonlinear narrative, with the story unfolding through Snowman’s reflections on his past and his current survival. The dual timeline allows the novel to contrast the pre-apocalyptic world with the desolate landscape that Snowman inhabits after the collapse of humanity. This structure also reflects the novel’s themes of memory, regret, and the passage of time, as Snowman looks back on events that shaped his world while trying to survive in the aftermath.
Symbolism: Atwood uses symbolism throughout the novel to underscore its themes. The Crakers themselves are symbolic of Crake’s vision of a perfect human race, free from the flaws that plague humanity. Snowman’s name symbolizes the fragile and temporary nature of his existence in the new world, as well as his coldness and isolation. The recurring motif of nature and the environment highlights the novel’s concerns with the balance between human progress and the preservation of the natural world. Atwood’s use of genetic engineering as a metaphor for human hubris critiques the overreach of science and the ethical consequences of manipulating life.
Magical Realism: Atwood uses magical realism to reimagine the Underground Railroad and to present a futuristic world in which science fiction elements blend seamlessly with real-world issues. The literal Underground Railroad, as a subterranean train system for escaped slaves, serves as a fantastical twist on history. This fantastical element enhances the novel’s exploration of human vulnerability, control, and power.