He feels the need to hear a human voice-a fully human voice like his own. Sometimes he laughs like a hyena or roars like a lion-his idea of a hyena his idea of a lion.
In Margaret Atwood's "Oryx and Crake," the protagonist expresses a longing for authentic human connection, highlighting the emptiness of his isolation. He craves the warmth and familiarity of a voice that resonates with his own experiences, underscoring a deep desire for companionship in a fragmented world. The need for meaningful interaction serves as a significant theme throughout the narrative, reflecting on the importance of human relationships in confronting solitude.
Moreover, his whimsical, almost desperate attempts to mimic animal sounds, such as laughing like a hyena or roaring like a lion, showcase his struggle to cope with his surroundings. These sounds symbolize both a yearning for vitality and an acknowledgment of the absurdity of his situation. The contrast between his attempts at emotional expression and the reality of his isolation paints a poignant picture of his internal conflict, emphasizing the novel's exploration of what it means to be human amidst dystopian circumstances.
