AP Essay 2010 Prompt_Margaret Atwood

2010. Palestinian American literary theorist and cultural critic Edward Said has written that “Exile is strangely compelling to think about but terrible to experience. It is the unhealable rift forced between a human being and a native place, between the self and its true home: its essential sadness can never be surmounted.” Yet Said has also said that exile can become “a potent, even enriching” experience. Select a novel, play, or epic in which a character experiences such a rift and becomes cut off from “home,” whether that home is the character’s birthplace, family, homeland, or other special place. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the character’s experience with exile is both alienating and enriching, and how this experience illuminates the meaning of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.

The Exile of Snowman

            Margaret Atwood writes of a future in which the world’s general population was wiped out by a plague. She writes of a world in which the survival of any humans is unknown—with the exception of one man: Snowman. Throughout Oryx and Crake, Margaret Atwood uses repetition, dashes and metaphors to demonstrate the devastating effects of isolation as well as the dangers of the world. The repetition serves to create a sense of overwhelming isolation; a sense of inescapable isolation. The dashes allow for glimpses into the previous condition of the world and work as commentary on Snowman’s part in order to emphasize his isolation, but also to introduce some of the dangers the world holds. The metaphors are incorporated to explain that each entity possesses good and evil, but because of the presence of evil, each aspect of life should be approached with caution—as the world is dangerous.

Upon the introduction of the main character, in the beginning of the novel, Atwood uses the repetition of the word “alone” several times in close proximity to one another—as he says, “Now I’m alone…all, all alone”  in order to convey an overwhelming sense of loneliness for Snowman (Atwood 10). This leads to the conclusion that some disaster has occurred which, consequently, wiped out the rest of the human population. The repetition is used to allow the idea to really sink in that Snowman is truly alone as a human. This isolation becomes a main theme throughout the rest of the novel in what is necessary to survive—mentally and physically—in such isolation.

      The dashes which Atwood uses, such as “hear a human voice—a fully human voice” are designed to qualify the preceding statement, but also serve as introductions for insights into the world before the aftermath (Atwood 10). The implication here is that there are some who are not completely human—again signifying the idea of experimentation, which is a current cultural debate. Invented words and species such as “pigoon” and “wolvog” also work to further the discussion about genetic experiments (Atwood 10). The dashes can also represent Snowman’s internal thoughts, though they still include information about his past.

      By incorporating Snowman’s screaming by the sea, Atwood furthers the idea of isolation and the toll it can take on the bearer. As he has no one else to talk to, he must talk to the land. As life is so full of misery and “dismay” he must express his frustration by shouting (Atwood 10). Only by using foul language is he able to make his situation seem any better—which speaks to the emotional toll isolation takes on an individual.

      The metaphors about the “beautiful demons” and the mermaids also show the emotions of Snowman when he is remembering his past (Atwood 11). The memories, at first, seem pleasant and beautiful, but then they bring back the misery of loss and end up swallowing him in sadness. The incorporation of this metaphor, combined with oxymoron, also introduces the idea that each entity can possess good and evil traits; that those people, creatures, or even activities, which may at first illicit pleasure or a sense of good, may prove to be harmful and should be avoided. This is a lesson Snowman is forced to learn in order to survive—and it is one needed by every individual.

            Although Snowman’s ordeals are often life-threatening and consistently lonely, he never gives up hope. In the end, all his struggles still cannot snuff out his hope—which speaks a lot to the nature of humans and their ability to survive hardships. Even after countless attacks by genetically-engineered predators, several injuries, and witnessing the disintegration of humans right in front of him, Snowman keeps his faith alive. Even at the smallest blip on an ancient radio, he believes there might be others out there in the world. Even at the smallest hint of life, he finds the will to carry on.

This passage demonstrates Atwood’s ability to turn simple words and structures into more meaningful and profound ideas about the complexity of humanity. The two ideas of isolation and worldly dangers work together to further Atwood’s discussion of humanity, as in order to escape some of the dangers, isolation is necessary, but isolation, itself, has both good and bad sides. The effects of these discussions are compounded with continued hope in order to demonstrate the true complexity of mankind. Through her use of repetition, dashes, and metaphors, Atwood explores the convolution of man and how the dangers of the world and isolation from the rest of humanity can have a devastating effect, though it can also mean the difference between failure and survival and can also illuminate individual strength.