Summary of the work - Sykalo Eugen 2023

Short summary - Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

As a literary teacher, I am excited to provide you with a detailed retelling of Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood. This is a dystopian novel that depicts a future world ravaged by climate change and genetic engineering. The story is complex and intricate, spanning over several years and following the life of the protagonist, Jimmy.

The novel is divided into several parts, each depicting a specific period in Jimmy's life. The first part introduces us to Jimmy, who is now living in a post-apocalyptic world where he is one of the few remaining humans. He spends his days scavenging for food and supplies, haunted by memories of his past life.

The second part of the novel is a flashback to Jimmy's childhood, where we learn about his upbringing and his complicated relationship with his parents. Jimmy's father is a scientist who works for a biotech company called OrganInc, which is responsible for creating genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for food production. Jimmy's mother is an artist who struggles with mental illness.

As Jimmy grows up, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the world around him. He is horrified by the environmental destruction caused by OrganInc's GMOs and the company's disregard for human life. He is also deeply affected by the death of his mother and the breakdown of his relationship with his father.

The third part of the novel sees Jimmy as a young adult, now going by the name Snowman. He is living in a treehouse and is the caretaker of a group of genetically engineered humans called Crakers. The Crakers are peaceful, innocent creatures who have been designed to be the perfect human beings, free from violence, jealousy, and greed.

As Snowman tries to survive in the post-apocalyptic world, he reflects on his past and the events that led to the downfall of humanity. He is haunted by memories of his former best friend, Crake, who was a brilliant scientist and the mastermind behind the creation of the Crakers.

The fourth and final part of the novel sees Snowman coming into contact with a group of survivors who are living outside of the Crakers' territory. This group includes a woman named Oryx, who was a former lover of both Snowman and Crake. Snowman becomes increasingly obsessed with Oryx and begins to unravel the truth about her past and the role that she played in the creation of the Crakers.

Throughout the novel, Atwood explores themes of environmental destruction, genetic engineering, and the dangers of unchecked scientific progress. She also delves into the complexities of human relationships and the impact that trauma can have on an individual's psyche.

In the end, Oryx and Crake is a cautionary tale about the dangers of playing god and the consequences of our actions. It is a novel that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it, and one that continues to resonate with readers around the world.