In "Oryx and Crake" by Margaret Atwood, a young boy navigates a complex emotional landscape at school, casting his parents in opposing roles. He portrays his father as "Evil Dad," who embodies bluster and arrogance, serving as a source of disdain. Conversely, his mother, branded as "Righteous Mom," vocalizes her grievances and holds the father accountable for a myriad of issues in her life, from personal ailments to global disasters.

This duality encapsulates the boy's inner conflict as he struggles with the perception of his parents, illustrating a child's tendency to externalize familial tensions. The exaggeration of their negative traits reveals deeper themes of blame and the impact of parental relationships on a child's development, setting the stage for the broader narrative of the novel.