Independent Novel Essay-Oryx and Crake In many instances, personal surroundings, whether it be cultural, physical, or even geographical, can influence how a character behaves, and what their morals consist of. Traits of many characters can be highlighted through their surroundings. In the novel Oryx and Crake, written by Margaret Atwood, her character Snowman perseveres through the apocalypse, all because of many super-humans that his lifelong friend, Crake, created in a lab. In the apocalypse, the “Crakers” surround Snowman, shaping his morals and psychological traits. Snowman, formerly known as Jimmy before the apocalypse, promised to take care of the Crakers if anything happened to their primary caretakers, Oryx and Crake. While Snowman
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Snowman is absolutely mesmerized by Oryx. She is described as little and dainty. Snowman has an extremely soft spot for her, because he first saw her when she was being abused as a child. Oryx was sold as a child sex slave. Crake and Snowman used to watch adult videos together, and this was where he first sees her. Oryx alters Snowman by completely stealing his heart. It seems as though he would do absolutely anything for her. The two of them begin a romantic relationship, but behind Crake’s back. Crake absolutely loves Oryx, but so does Snowman. Snowman’s morals are shown when he asks “What about Crake?” (Atwood 243). Oryx simply responds with “You are Crake’s friend. He wouldn’t want you to be unhappy” (Atwood 243). The exchange between the two reveals several things- first, that sex is truly everywhere, as Thomas Foster states in How to Read Literature like a Professor (Foster), and that Snowman truly has compassion, even for Crake. Snowman, or Jimmy, was worried that Crake would find out, and that not only he would get fired, but Oryx as well. “Crake won’t know” (Atwood 244). Oryx is convinced that Crake will not find out, therefore comforting Jimmy and allowing him to relax. Oryx drastically changed Jimmy’s psychological state, all because he was simply in her
Snowman is absolutely mesmerized by Oryx. She is described as little and dainty. Snowman has an extremely soft spot for her, because he first saw her when she was being abused as a child. Oryx was sold as a child sex slave. Crake and Snowman used to watch adult videos together, and this was where he first sees her. Oryx alters Snowman by completely stealing his heart. It seems as though he would do absolutely anything for her. The two of them begin a romantic relationship, but behind Crake’s back. Crake absolutely loves Oryx, but so does Snowman. Snowman’s morals are shown when he asks “What about Crake?” (Atwood 243). Oryx simply responds with “You are Crake’s friend. He wouldn’t want you to be unhappy” (Atwood 243). The exchange between the two reveals several things- first, that sex is truly everywhere, as Thomas Foster states in How to Read Literature like a Professor (Foster), and that Snowman truly has compassion, even for Crake. Snowman, or Jimmy, was worried that Crake would find out, and that not only he would get fired, but Oryx as well. “Crake won’t know” (Atwood 244). Oryx is convinced that Crake will not find out, therefore comforting Jimmy and allowing him to relax. Oryx drastically changed Jimmy’s psychological state, all because he was simply in her