Oryx and Crake

890 Words4 Pages
English ISP “Oryx and Crake” by Margaret Atwood How does the novel make a significant comment about society? In the novel Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood, a key concept is explored that can be directly related to our modern society, which is our obsession with perfection. Perfection is in the eye of the beholder, but in the society we live in today, it is believed that the idea of perfection is achievable and more importantly, that it should be. Striving for a perfect society, free of disease, and full of beautiful people was what society wanted to obtain in the world of Oryx and Crake, and is exactly parallel to what our modern society wants as well. With this idea, Atwood gives an accurate foreshadow of the future of humanity and the consequences that could follow if we continue to strive for perfection. The setting of this novel may seem light-years ahead, but in reality, many similarities can be drawn from the book, to our own society. The idea of perfection begins with physical appearance and cosmetic surgery is readily available for this. Our idea of a perfect appearance is one with absolutely no blemishes or flaws, as well as looking youthful for as long as possible. Plastic surgery can fix almost any physical flaws and any signs of aging are being prevented with the use of Botox and other similar procedures. Although our modern technology is not as advanced as the technology depicted in the novel, it is evident that the people of our society are already chasing this idea of perfection by altering their natural features and characteristics to fit what they believe is the ideal appearance. Physical appearance however, is only a small component of society’s idea of perfection. In order to achieve society’s idea of perfection, perfect people must also live in a perfect society. In the novel, it illustrated the notion of the pleebands versus the
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