Week Thirteen: Oryx and Crake

Oryx and Crake was a read that surprised me for being such a thought provoking work. Like any other dystopian story, it tells the story of a society in a not-so-far-away future that didn't quite work out, surrounded by technology and scientific advancements that might have been the cause of the doom of society as we know it.

We learn the story of Snowman (Jimmy),  who lives in this destroyed world and believes himself to be the only remaining survival. Through flashbacks of his life as we read his story, we begin to learn how things ended up the way they are right now, as well as his connection and relationship to Oryx and Crake. However the story is not only a suspenseful narrative of this dystopian society, but rather very profound and deep, talking also about the character's psychological aspects, beliefs and troubles, bringing forward themes that gains the reader's attention and asks for reflections.

With that in mind, Atwood's novel seemed to have been a work that uses elements of the science fiction dystopian genre, and blended into a literary work, that not only engages the reader in this new world and society, but also evokes a certain self-reflection and deep (and quite unexpected) conversations about topics that are very realistic to the society we live in.

An example of that is the character Crake, who I found incredibly complex and interesting for that same reason. As we read the story through Jimmy's perspective, we learn that Crake was the mastermind behind the world's destruction... or was he? We as readers are more curious to find out why he did such a thing, rather than how... although we do learn that perhaps the how wasn't planned out, and rather an accident. Rather than destroying humanity, Crake's goal might have been to re-invent, but he lost track of himself in the process and even began to fear his own doings.

A quote from the book that really struck me as well and made me reflect deeply was one of Crake's as well, were he states: "Watch out for art. As soon as they (the Craker's) start doing art, we are in trouble". This quote was extremely thought provoking, and really made me reflect about not only Crake, but the world itself. We live in a society which's goal is to create and renovate, but that at the same time are extremely afraid of the unknown. When Crake's creates these Crakers, his goal was to also re-invent, repurpose and strengthen society, but while he did such he also feared for the results. What if his creation was so great that it gained a mind of their own? A sense of existence? The quote about art truly made me reflect and gave me the understanding that perhaps, curiosity and creativity is the most powerful weapon that a person can have. Being able to "create" something is powerful and fearful, and if the creation begins to create, then it is just like a never ending cycle.

 Thus, Oryx and Crake seems to carry a stronger message about exploitation, consumerism, irresponsible scientific experiences and questionable morals, and as Atwood states in the very first pages with the quote: "I could perhaps like others have astonished you with strange improbable tales; but I rather chose to relate plain matter of fact in the simplest manner and style; because my principal design was to inform you, and not to amuse you." perhaps her work didn't have the intention of being an entertainment (although it was), but rather a warning and a lesson.