logo

113 pages 3 hours read

Jurassic Park

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1990

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Themes

The Dangers of Unchecked and Profit-Driven Scientific Advancement

There are many warnings in the story of Jurassic Park, but one warning supersedes them all: the chaos that results from the narrowminded and profit-driven pursuit of modern science. From the very first chapter, there are catastrophic and deadly consequences that result from Hammond and Wu’s unchecked scientific progress. Furthermore, because “[e]veryone has a stake” (x) in science itself, profit and competition become the main objectives. As Malcolm points out, scientists today “stand on the shoulders of giants” (343) and do not really understand the technology that they are grappling with. What results is a carelessness regarding the moral implications of one’s actions and discoveries. Hammond and his team contemplate the consequences to an extent, but they cling to the arrogant belief that they will not be affected by said consequences.

Hammond is particularly delusional and selfish in his pursuit of scientific advancement. He creates a park full of dinosaurs, extinct creatures of the past, and allows them to be stored and replaced as if they are car models. He has absolutely no regard for the fact that he is dealing with living, feeling creatures. Hammond also sees no possibility of the dinosaurs escaping the island, believing that they have the animals completely contained.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 113 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,650+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools