Analysis and Study of Margaret Atwood’s Influence on the Canadian Society

Abstract

Atwood is able to cast an important spotlight on the culturally formed gender roles by challenging the binary oppositions established by a patriarchal culture through these characters, such as by portraying Oryx an experienced businesswoman who utilizes her sexuality to her own advantage. In this case, pornography may be considered as the catalyst for gender oppression since it serves as sex education for guys who have not yet had first-hand sexual encounters and because it has the potential to incite sexual violence against men. Both Jimmy and Crake think of women in terms of their bodies as a result of being influenced by the excessive sexual pictures, sexually oppressed them. While Crake totally removes himself from his sexuality by viewing it as a flaw inherent to everyone, Jimmy is unable to control his. Jimmy is a "product of the affective system," whereas Crake only appears to be one in order to take advantage of the system to further his own interests (Kroon). Crake develops the genetically altered Crakers as a remedy to liberate society from this weakness; he is investigating the sexual boundaries of the human being. This eliminates the conflict between desire and the act of sexual contact.