Jurassic Park :: essays research papers

The Question of Control as Presented in Jurassic Park According to Arnold Pacey How could one describe the relationship between valet de chambre and nature? Perhaps it is one of pull wires, a constant struggle between the power of the elements and the sophistication of human mechanization. Could it be one of symbiosis, where man and nature coexist in relative peace? Are we, as a species, simply a part of natures constantly changing realm? This field of study is one that philosophers have debated for centuries. Where does mankind fit into the vast network of interacting environments and beings called nature? From the beginning of time, we have attempted to set ourselves apart from the rest of Earths creatures. Given the ability to reason, and to feel, and most importantly, to choose, we find ourselves with &quotthe impulse to master and manipulate elemental force&quot (Pacey 86). We must fight, we must advance, and we must control all these elements of the natural world. But just how much of that world do we control? Surely people attempt and perceive control oer nature, just now do they succeed? The question of control, everywhere nature in specific, is one of the prevalent themes that runs through Michael Crichtons Jurassic Park. This novel is set on a small island off the coast of Costa Rica called Isla Nubar. On this island, construction of a new, virtuostic, state of the art park is almost complete, when a gathered team of paleontologists, businessmen, and a mathematician arrive to approve of the park opening. All seems well until the &quotexperts&quot lose control of the park, leaving the main attractions, genetically engineered dinosaurs, free to roam and hunt. This handout of control further contributes to the downward spiral the park experiences, resulting in numerous deaths. How, one might ask, could a team of technicians and experts let something like this happen? The suffice is simple. They over-estimated their perceived sense of control over one of the worlds most unpredictable forces nature. The theme of mans perceived control over nature is one that Crichton has masterfully incorporated into his novel. The actions of the park experts present to the reader the false idea &quotthat the proper role of man is mastery over nature" (Pacey 65). Mankind has always attempted to achieve this mastery, and the construction of Jurassic Park is a perfect example. Crichton uses the character of Ian Malcolm to constantly present this theme.