Knowledge as a Double Edged Sword in the novels Oryx and...

Is knowledge, which is the base of human ingenuity and intelligence, also the factor which will bring upon humanity’s impending destruction? Knowledge today plays a key role in almost every facet of human existence, from food, to water, to providing the foundation for every piece technological equipment ever constructed. Knowledge though has also provided us with ever more imaginative and efficient means of killing and destroying each other and the planet, these means include nuclear weapons, and of course biological warfare. Therefore knowledge plays the role of the doubled-edged sword, bringing humanity luxuries and power beyond conception, as well as arming us with the tools to completely eradicate all life. In the novel of Oryx and†¦show more content†¦Both novels are typical of the science fiction genre, in that they similarly deal with plausible alternate realties, each which extrapolate from current technology to explore future circumstances with exaggerations of extremely controversial issues and elaborate on the possible dangers. A Canticle for Leibowitz was written in the 1950’s, an era in which nuclear weapons and the Cold War were very controversial issues. Oryx and Crake was written in 2002, a time period in which issues on continuing research in biotechnology raised concern among the populace of its possible future applications. In the novels Oryx and Crake penned by Margaret Atwood and A Canticle for Leibowitz written by Walter M. Miller Jr. it is shown that while knowledge is the base for human advancement, it is also the determining factor in our eventual doom, which is shown by the ambitious characters of Thon Taddeo Pfardentrott and Crake, the theme that power corrupts absolutely, and the use of foreshadowing to convey the results that knowledge has wrought on humanity. The character of Crake, in the novel Oryx and Crake shows himself to be a very ambitious character. Even as a child, Crake seemed to be an intelligent a nd inquisitive individual, seeking to know the truth in everything. He sought to achieve the absolute best in all aspects of his life which is displayed when he states â€Å"‘Because I’m good at it,’