Oryx and Crake
Snowman’s state of mind is seen to be a predominant, constant theme throughout Oryx and Crake and in particular the extract during pages 307-13. One could suggest that his state of mind is very conflicted during these pages especially, and so this leads him to display peculiar behaviour which can be closely examined. Not only is his state of mind a major theme, but it also links in with his loneliness that can’t be controlled, thus causing his mind to be so uncanny.
During page 307 of the extract, one may state that the main theme is of women and girls. At this stage, his state of mind is perverted and fragmented regarding the thoughts of them. Regarding the word ‘rescue’ that is mentioned, it can be seen here that snowman is internalising the blame. He says that ‘these girls were in danger…in need of rescue’ but as his mind constantly overthinks he comes to the conclusion that ‘perhaps the danger was in him’. He internalises the blame and the repetition of the word ‘danger’ could represent how his state of mind is fearful, and what with the endless time he has, it allows his mind to trail off and so perhaps he is going through the process of over thinking which forces him to internalise the blame. The fact that he says the girls were in ‘need of rescue’ could show he is putting on a fake pretence of becoming a hero to them, thus building a fake relationship that only works one way, when in actual fact, he is in need of rescuing himself. He then moves on to talk about young girls in more depth and describes them as ‘young slender girls with small hands’ which depicts how he has no physical attachment or relationship towards the women, yet, he pictures them so vividly to arouse his sexual fascination and provocative view on women, which evidently shows how his perverted mind is intact. Analyse how his mind is fragmented here.
As the extract moves on to page 311, it can be clear to say that the principal theme here is reminiscence and time leading his state of
During page 307 of the extract, one may state that the main theme is of women and girls. At this stage, his state of mind is perverted and fragmented regarding the thoughts of them. Regarding the word ‘rescue’ that is mentioned, it can be seen here that snowman is internalising the blame. He says that ‘these girls were in danger…in need of rescue’ but as his mind constantly overthinks he comes to the conclusion that ‘perhaps the danger was in him’. He internalises the blame and the repetition of the word ‘danger’ could represent how his state of mind is fearful, and what with the endless time he has, it allows his mind to trail off and so perhaps he is going through the process of over thinking which forces him to internalise the blame. The fact that he says the girls were in ‘need of rescue’ could show he is putting on a fake pretence of becoming a hero to them, thus building a fake relationship that only works one way, when in actual fact, he is in need of rescuing himself. He then moves on to talk about young girls in more depth and describes them as ‘young slender girls with small hands’ which depicts how he has no physical attachment or relationship towards the women, yet, he pictures them so vividly to arouse his sexual fascination and provocative view on women, which evidently shows how his perverted mind is intact. Analyse how his mind is fragmented here.
As the extract moves on to page 311, it can be clear to say that the principal theme here is reminiscence and time leading his state of