In the novel "Oryx and Crake" by Margaret Atwood, the theme of pretense is explored through the educational system. In the early years of school, children are encouraged to engage in imaginative play and pretend scenarios, fostering creativity and exploration. This aspect of learning is crucial for their development and self-expression.

However, as students progress in their education, they face a stark transition where the same acts of imagination and creativity are penalized. The shift illustrates the societal expectation to conform and prioritize factual knowledge over creative thinking, highlighting a dissonance between the nurturing of imagination and the rigid standards imposed by the education system.