A Marxist reading of Jurassic Park

Marxist literary criticism is based on the works of Karl

Marx.

The Marxist Theory

• Marxism condemns society based on capitalism

• Capitalism is the economic system in which individuals pay wages to other people to work in their businesses

• The individual in control, does little work and receives most of the profits.

Marx believed

• People who labor do so for inadequate wages

• Creating economic inequality• He envisioned an economic society

in which profits shared and poverty eliminated

Jurassic Park

• This concern with the power of scientists motivated by greed instead of the nobility of their profession suggests a Marxist reading if the novel.

• J.P. presents an ideal situation for a Marxist reading because it depicts a small but complete capitalistic society on Isla Nublar

Isla Nublar

• Everything is based on economic motivation

• No considerations for ethical or environmental issues

Hammond

• The island’s owner/governor admits that his “ intent was to use the newly emerging technology of genetic engineering to make money. A lot of money” (200)

Gennaro

• He loses sight of his assignment – to determine the island’s safety – when he sees the first dino. He only thinks of how much money they will make.

Technology goes to money

• Rose- “ Technology goes where there is a financial reservoir to support it”

• Isla Nublar is where capitalism dominates

• Silicon Valley

Abuse of wealth leads to abuse of people• Biosyn• Nedry• A field driven by venture capital• Money-mad scientists• Hammond’s customers will pay

$5000 a day• Dehumanizes the consumer

masses

Dehumanization

• Abuse of workers• Workers do not enjoy the products

they make• They get only wages• Grant and Sattler take timeaway

from the labor they love to follow the whim of Hammond

Dinosaurs

• Represent the lowest, most exploited form of laborers

• They receive no enjoyment from what they “ produce”

• They refuse to submit to power

Malcolm

• Broken from traditional ways• Does not hesitate to say what he thinks• Compliments Sattler• Dresses one color• Insults the scientists and tells them they can’t

control nature• He remains connected to what he produces

and shares it with all other humans, hoping for the improvement of the species.

The Collapse

• The exploited class seizes power.• The problem lies in the concept of

inherited wealth rather than earned wealth

• Scientific power is like inherited wealth: attained without discipline

Nedry

• Loses humanity and life in pursuit of money

• His behavior destroys his ability to interact with people

• Tapes conversations for blackmail• Sacrifices others to make his escape• He obtained his power without obtaining

the discipline to know how to use it.

Wu, Hammond, Nedry

• Each dies just as he is about to get power and money

• Their goodness is destroyed• Conceit makes them overconfident

and dangerous

The ending

• The destruction of the island is complete

• The remaining dinos escape• The gothic nature of the novel is

terrifying because the government engages only in a massive cover-up.

• No provision is made to stop a similar situation from developing again or to contain the dinos, which still live in the jungles.

T REX vs RAPTOR