Risks of Modernity in Oryx and Crake by Margret Atwood - Research Paper Example

?Insert Risks of Modernity in “Oryx and Crake” by Margret Atwood Margret Atwood’s novel “Oryx and Crake,” published in 2003 delves more in a bioengineered environment where scientific research has given rise to a new species of human though embodied in Crake. Being a Dr. Frankenstein’s brainchild, the new species revolutionizes the world, and threatens to eliminate the entire human race. Towards the last part of the novel, the readers are left wondering the future and significance of Crakers and a handful of traditionalists. Jimmy the Snowman is left split in thought as to whether or not he ought to eliminate the remainder of his traces and pave way for the existence of the new Crake species made by science, which are generally artificial, untested and unsafe. This paper explores Jimmy’s argument in the novel that new scientific discoveries have transgressed on human dignity; and relates the argument to the real-world situations (Atwood 206). Dangers of Modernity Atwood begins the story with a mystery of a solitary man known as Snowman who is gradually bearing the brunt of famine in a society which is devoid of people. A serious disaster has eliminated members of the community; some buildings have also been reduced to rubble, while others have been submerged in water. The destruction has led to the loss of important artefacts of civilization. Creatures with weird names like pigoons, wolvogs are filling the gap that was previously occupied by the human race (Sanderson 218; Atwood 10). Snowman has chosen a tree as his safe haven to evade the creatures. Children of Crake are also roaming free; these creatures have some similarities to the human race but a closer look at them would give them away. Snowman is depicted as harbouring feelings of both dislike and responsibility. At this juncture, the readers are treated to a suspense as to who is Snowman, how he has escaped rather unscathed in the disaster and the events that really unfolded to create such an awful world. Conversely, Atwood provides a clearer understanding to these issues in a two-pronged approach: of the protagonist and his cleansing experiences back to the damaged science complex formerly managed by his long-time friend Crake, who demonstrates some sense of responsibility for the scientific revolution that has overhauled the modern society; and of who Jimmy the Snowman was before things became out of control (Atwood 209; Snyder 470). Jimmy’s childhood life is seen as obfuscated by the negative impacts of science. These include the reality of global warming, genetic science, viral transfiguration, and social classification. As Sanderson says, Jimmy meets Crake in high school, a fanatic of biofreak masterlore sports known as Extinctathon (221). Crake is depicted as an indispensable intellectual with a profound disdain for the naturalness of humanity. In light of this, when Crake, in reference to his school of thought says “these people are specialists”, (Atwood 321) his basically represents the modern scientific thought that views human race as an inefficient impact of evolution with low, ancient thinking brain of primates (). Eventually, Banerjee points out that Jimmy joins Crake at the Paradise, Crake's modern laboratory complex (236). And he is immediately fascinated by the equally capable Oryx, whom he had met before at a place known for child pornography. Humann notes that Oryx’s attitude and intellectual prowess earn her Crake’s admiration that she perceives as some kind of a comic (508). But the relationship is depicted as a modern type, in which there is a unique love triangle. Whereas the challenges it evokes do have ramifications, they eventually unfold as if Crake had a hand in it. Anyhow, the destroyer and instigator are both seen as playing new, modern but too dangerous card in the whole affair. The relationship is a break away from the traditional morals of being faithful to one partner. Impacts of human hubris According to Snyder, Atawood’s “Oryx and Crake” is a story deviating from the conventional style of social injustice to the catastrophic impacts of science hubris (470). The novel delves in the temptation by human beings to act as God under the expanding nature of human understanding about creatures. The story blends the sombre mood in the human-God rivalry with a blistering humour, ruthlessly demonstrating the idiocies, obsessions and dangers of the contemporary world. The funny names of modern-day business organizations whose dominance in the current world play vital roles in the advancement of human science raises the mood of the readers in the wake of dying originality and human race. The novel’s HelthWyzer, and AnooYoo, whose titles funnily depicts the products they specialize in are modern, and attract the same attention of the modern human race in as much the same way as the real world Yahoo or Google technology giants. Conversely, DiMarco argues that these new inventions have cross the moral line. Happicuppa hot drink, for example, whose genetically-engineered maturity is linked to public unrest, is a clear testimony to the dangers of modern science (153). The manufacturing of SoYummie ice cream with high technologies and snake oil is equally shocking considering that there has been limited research on whether its intake by man is safe. Yet, the weird scientific products made through gene-splicing such as Rockulators, which are depicted as absorbing water in high humidity and then allowing the moisture when there is need, remain untested in terms of safety and eco-friendliness. In the real-life environment their use may be similar to air-conditioners which have been attributed to an increase in global warming. Moreover, frightening ChickieNobs which dismember chickens in fast food joints is equally a product of science. Apart from, the machines, the rapid rise of technology use has given rise to child porn sites like Hott Totts which wear away children’s morals theoretically and practically in the real world (Snyder 470). The book narrates the existence of new species of science products, but which benignly depict the dangerous trend of the current world. Bobkittens, snats, and rakunks as well as more important creations like pigs and pigoons whose engineered organs for use in human transplantation not only symbolise the massive scientific leaps in the current read world, but also the threat of human extinction from such processes. Banerjee notes that the science of gene-manipulation, rapid gratification, and a culture of casual thrills presented in the book mirror the obsession to the foulest popular lifestyles of the current-day world, where people are rapidly losing morals that used to be the cornerstones of the conventional world (236). Global warming and mutations of disease causing microorganisms have brought massive losses to humanity and transformed the world into a rigid class-culture. Whereas the better-endowed persons stay in gated neighbourhoods managed by big businesses they serve, the remainder of the society have no option but to endure chaos and harsh economic times in informal settlements where hygiene, crime, and serious plagues beyond their power abound. Atwood argues that the privileged members of the society are also depicted in the book and the real world situation as not wholly satisfied merely because science favours them; rather they have challenges which are unique to them (70). Relegation of other important disciplines According to Humann, science is depicted as playing a more important role in the current world, and as such, other disciplines have become ‘irrelevant’, more so in the current world of technology (508). The society’s general sense of insensitivity has also led to the gradual relegation of arts. For instance, whereas Crake joins the reputable Watson-Crick Academy, he is elevated to a status of students studying science subjects like Neo-Agricultural course and Decor Botanicals. On the other side, Jimmy's specialty in arts earns him a place in a less insignificant institution. As a result, Jimmy is pushed into irrelevance. These are clear examples of wrong priorities; of scientific myopia; of a transgressed line in the current society. The obsession with science and its shortfalls in the current world is depicted clearly in the system of brilliance, emotionally thin and lack of compassion for traditional morals as embodied in Crake. The character is an outcome of the present world, as his life shows the catastrophic trends of modern scientists (DiMarco 153). The clandestine project which he seeks to complete when he has exited Watson-Crick, for instance, projects him as rivalling God. Atwood reflects on the competing interests between God and humanity by introducing an array of Biblical concepts. Notably, from the building of the legendary science complex in which Crake carries out his research programs, to its naming as Paradice, to the names of the Crake’s co-researchers as MaddAdamm and Extinctathon, the whole issue is seen as a creation that is meant to identify and attempt to correct the perceived weaknesses of God’s creation. According to DiMarco, this is another regrettable line crossed by modern scientists (153). Regardless of the scientific leaps in attempting to rival God’s power, Crake’s choice of names of the assets such as “dice” for his research complex, “mad Adam” as his colleagues and “extinction” as his main arguable agenda, really reveals the dangerous line crossed by modern science. Crake’s products of humanity which have been re-modelled to the scientist’s design, but which partly resemble his image are scary outcomes of modern science (DiMarco 153). The new green-eyed creatures’ destiny is at the discretion of the scientists who dangerously throw them out of the research complex because Crake's obsession with research emboldens him to continue “correcting the mistakes” in nature. Crake as a representative of science is unhappy with humans having faith in religion, which he believes is futile and has the potential to disrupt his modern scientific theories and research on humanity. These are clear cases of deviation from a life of morality and respect for nature, especially humanity which God considers as the most important of them all. Conclusion Generally, Margret Atwood’s novel “Oryx and Crake” is a modern portrayal of the significant leaps in science research and practice. Today, scientific programs such as genetic engineering, and automated technology systems have resulted in disdain for traditional morals of human dignity and precipitated massive pollution on earth. As a result, cases human activity causing global warming is surely inevitable as the world embraces more scientific programs. Atwood paints a clear picture of the impacts of science and human activity on the human race, by arguing that science threatens to wipe out the human race from existence. Nuclear programs, genetic cloning, and global warming are some of the dangerous impacts that might clear the earth of humanity, create a new human race, and submerge coastal cities respectively. In a nutshell, the novel notes that science has done more harm than good regarding human welfare and urges the spirit of morality among modern scientists. Works Cited Atwood, Margret. Oryx and Crake. New York: Bloomsury Publishing, 2009. Banerjee, Suparna. Towards 'feminist mothering: oppositional maternal practice in Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake. Journal of International Women's Studies, 14.1 (2013): 236. DiMarco, Danette. To teach and delight. (Margaret Atwood: ''The Robber Bride,'' ''The Blind Assassin,'' ''Oryx and Crake''). Canadian Literature, 215 (2012): 153. Humann, Heather Duerre. Bouson, J. Brooks, Ed. Margaret Atwood: The Robber Bride, The Blind Assassin, Oryx and Crake. Studies in the Novel, 43.4 (2011): 508. Sanderson, Jay. Pigoons, rakunks and Crakers: Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake and genetically engineered animals in a (Latourian) hybrid world. Law and Humanities, 7.2(2013): 218-239. Snyder, Katherine V. Time to go': the post-apocalyptic and the post-traumatic in Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake. Studies in the Novel, 43.4 (2011): 470. Read More