Study Questions and Suggested Essay Topics
Study Questions
The majority of Jurassic Park is written from Grant's perspective, but perspective changes so often throughout the novel that Grant is not necessarily the sole protagonist. Make a case for Tim as the protagonist of this novel. Why does Crichton sometimes given the perspective to Tim?
Only a few characters make it off of Isla Nublar alive. Is there any thematic significance to this? Do any of the characters deserve to die?
Who is the real villain of Jurassic Park?
Suggested Essay Topics
Much of the overt conflict in Jurassic Park comes from loose dinosaurs attacking people. Although it is difficult to think of the dinosaurs as characters, they are clearly the overwhelming "evil" force in the book. What else besides generic evil could these dinosaurs represent?
Using secondary sources if necessary, briefly explain chaos theory and Malcolm's use of it within the novel. Is there anything that Malcolm / Crichton gets wrong? What is the symbolic significance of chaos theory?
Hammond is, after all, the primary visionary behind Jurassic Park and the owner of the island. How do you think the novel might be different if it were written from his perspective?
For the most part it appears that the characters who die in Jurassic Park deserve their fate. Why, then, do you think Malcolm is among them?
Discuss Crichton's use of foreshadowing as a method of creating tension in the novel.
