Jim Bilbro answers “Why is there so little criticism of the...”

Andy asked this question about Oryx and Crake:

Why is there so little criticism of the character of Oryx? She serves no purpose other than die as motivation for Jimmy to kill Crake and complete Crake's plan. She also appears to have no actual traits or thoughts that are not centered around the men in her life.

Jim Bilbro I agree. For me, the two male characters ranged from from unlikeable to dispicable, but I was perplexed that an author known for her feminist work sho…moreI agree. For me, the two male characters ranged from from unlikeable to dispicable, but I was perplexed that an author known for her feminist work should create a female character as one-dimensional as Oryx. Certainly, we see her through the lens of Snowman/Jimmy's memories, but even if he idealizes her, she seems never even once to have given him cause to doubt his idealisation: she is always gentle and patient; he never "finds her anger" (despite pushing for it); she is utterly unfazed by experiences in her youth that would leave scars on anyone else; she is sexually willing and compliant with both male characters; she is smart, talented, sexy, beautiful, proficient with languages, resilient, patient, forgiving, giving, etc., etc., etc. The one thing she doesn't have is a personality that the reader can believe. If there is some sort of point being made with such a flat female character, then it's sailing high over my head. Anyone else care to comment or speculate?(less)

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