Arish Farooq - 2023 Oryx and Crake Discussion Topics
pdf
keyboard_arrow_up
School
St. John's University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
226
Subject
Arts Humanities
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
Pages
2
Uploaded by Arishkhanfarooq
Oryx and Crake
Discussion Questions
With your table partners, spend today’s class considering and making notes on the
following questions. We will then have an open discussion, where everyone will be
asked to contribute their ideas.
The questions with a follow up discussion question in parentheses will be discussed
over the next few days. Be prepared.
1.
Atwood quotes another Canadian author, Alistair Macleod, who stated “Writers write about
what worries them.” In the
introduction
to
Oryx and Crake
(up to page 28) what topics are
put forth that we could infer worries Atwood? Feel free to make a list. (Compare the thematic
ideas introduced early in
Oryx and Crake
with that of
Brave New World
).
-
Genetical engineering and technological development (when technology is advanced it
is used for corporate benefit rather than society)
2.
One aspect of the novel's society is the virtual elimination of the middle class. Economic
and intellectual disparities, as well as the disappearance of safe public space, allow for few
alternatives: People live either in the tightly controlled Compounds of the elites, or in the more
open but seedier and more dangerous Pleeblands. Discuss the significance of this contrast in
physical settings
. (How is this contrast used similarly/differently in
Brave New World
?)
3.
The loss of art and literature features prominently in the novel, particularly when Jimmy is
enrolled at the Martha Graham Academy. Discuss the
importance of this theme
, and
Atwood’s strategies for weaving it throughout the novel. What impact does this have on the
reader? (Consider the similarities and differences between the loss of art and culture in
Jimmy’s world and the Brave New World)
4.
Snowman soon discovers that despite himself he's invented a new creation myth, simply
by trying to think up comforting answers to the "why" questions of the Children of Crake.
Crake was determined that the Crakers would have no need for religion. Explore the
development of this aspect of the Crakers and its significance in the novel. (Consider the
approach to religion in Brave New World. How is this approach used in both novels as a
social critique?).
5.
Explore the purpose of the character of Oryx in the novel. What does she represent or
symbolize? Consider why Atwood included her backstory, as well as the love triangle
between her, Crake and Jimmy. (Which female character(s) in
Brave New World
share(s) a
similar purpose? How are these women used as symbols and to what effect?)
6. In the world of
Oryx and Crake
, almost everything is for sale. Such a focus on
consumerism means that a great deal of power is in the hands of large corporations and their
private security forces. What does Atwood point out as both the advantages and dangers of
such a system? (Compare this focus on consumerism to that of
Brave New World
.)
7.
Some say the ending of this novel leaves us with too many questions. Is this effective as a
narrative strategy? What ideas or questions put forth in the introduction are answered or
unanswered in the end? (Which ending do you find more effective of the two novels?)
8.
Further Discussion: (In what ways does the dystopia of
Oryx and Crake
compare with
Brave New World
? What is more effective, disturbing or intriguing about this one? What
makes it, as Atwood deems it,
Speculative Fiction
rather than simply
Dystopian Fiction
?)
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help