Exploitation In Oryx And Crake

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood and The Corporation by Joel Baken highlight corporate influence over poverty, and the cooperation between both the exploiters and the exploited due to the false assurance claiming both parties will receive prosperity as a result of low wage labour and unethical exploitation. Social and economic crisis puts the most impoverished people in positions to give themselves to corporate greed and opportunity despite the uncertainty of any benefit. Being granted monetary value, hopes for a social and economic improvement, and the innocence and vulnerability of children, all contribute to individuals selling themselves to corporate "godsends".
The ability to acquire a monetary value prompts poor individuals to give

in to corporate and financial opportunities that result in their exploitation. Atwood professes this through Oryx's long duration of time being exploited as a child laborer, "So it was good to have a money value, because then at least those who wanted to make a profit from you would make sure you were fed enough and not damaged too much. Also there were many who had neither love nor a money value, and having one of these things was better than having nothing.” (Atwood, 154). This highlights how basic life necessities come with a price for those who are exploited. Therefore, by being granted a price, individuals enduring poverty can sense value and the assurance of being taken care of. Atwood highlights the connection between security and money, "Oryx would slip the coins into the bag down the front of her dress and feel safe for one more day, because she had sold her quota" (159).This supports the ideology of money bringing value to those who are most vulnerable, specifically individuals who depend on a quota to make a living. Baken showcases exploitation and its result similarly, "Because ten cents an hour will buy us the rice that we need not to starve. And come and rescue us from our circumstance." (Walker). This illustrates the importance of money for impoverished individuals and how corporate influence has the power to effect the existing tragedy in developing nations.

A business's entrance into a poor nation or village creates a notion that an economic or social improvement will occur.

This preconceived notion prompts the poor to involve themselves in corporate opportunities in hopes for a better, yet uncertain future. In Oryx and Crake, Uncle En's entrance into the village is glorified as the villagers perceive him as a provider of economic opportunity. Atwood highlights the justification for exploitation, "With this money, the mothers who sold their children would be able to give the remaining children a better chance in life. So they told one another." (Atwood, 144). This illuminates the idea of exploitation bringing a better life, a life which would be non existent without it. In The Corporation the idea in which the poor participate in corporate opportunities for a better life but end up with degradation is showcased. Naomi Klein highlights the idea of the lack of economic opportunity that results, "But because so many countries are now in the game of creating these free trade enclaves they have to keep providing more and more incentives for companies to come to their little denationalized pocket. And the tax holidays get longer. So the workers rarely make enough money to buy three meals a days let alone feed their local economy." (Klein). This debunks the idea that with corporate greed comes opportunity for the local economies of poor nations. A common misconception in which poor countries always receive the benefits which are

initially sought out for when giving in to corporate opportunity, is evident when Michael Walker states, "So okay we’ve used up all the desperate people there, they’re all plump and healthy and wealthy. Let’s move on to the next desperate lot and employ them and raise their level up." (Walker). This corporate mindset lures impoverished individuals with hopes of a better life to an economic downfall which is never warranted.

The vulnerability and innocence of children is an accessible form of exploitation for companies and corporations alike.

The convenience of child labour often indices poor families to give in to the allure of large corporations. Atwood demonstrates the need for child labour in Oryx's village, "The village women might need to sell their own children one day and if they helped out they would be able to count on such help in return." (Atwood, 141). This illustrates the dependence on children for a monetary benefit. This additionally highlights the lack of consent from the children exploited. Baken's documentary illuminates the exploitation of children by large corporations, "But the bottom of it is the interesting part 'A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this garment will be donated to various children’s charities.' It’s very touching. Gets you right here. Wal-Mart is telling you if you purchase these pants, and Kathy Lee is telling you, purchase these pants, you’re going to help children. The problem was the people who handed us the label were 13 years of age." (Kernaghan). This showcases the hypocrisy of western nations, and the blind-eye turned to the unethical conditions which contribute to their success. Both mediums illustrate the deliberate actions of poor families and corporations to benefit from the profitability of

children.

Oryx and Crake and The Corporation express the ongoing exploitation between poverty stricken people and wealthy corporations. Although the poor seek after social and economic changes through large companies, it is often a downward spiral which is experienced more often than prosperity. Exploitation will be continuous if both the exploiter and the exploited comply to unethical conditions. Nevertheless, corporations would never want their exploited individuals to starve. Jimmy, you worry too much.