Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Jurassic Park, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Chaos, Change, and Control
Sight and Insight
Flawed Human Nature
Technology
Summary
Analysis
As Tim struggles to navigate the confusing computer interface, he tries to ignore Lex’s needling questions. Pushing buttons on the “Setgrids” menu, he figures out which grid will power the lodge, but each time he tries to turn it on, he receives a “Power Incompatible with Command” error. As he tries to understand the error, Lex frantically pulls him from the screen, and he hears the snarling of raptors. Tim and Lex step into the hallway and the control room door locks behind them. As the raptors close in on them, Tim sees a security card on the belt of a dead guard. Running wildly, he snags it, opens the nearest door, and tumbles through with his sister. Meanwhile, at the lodge, the raptors have almost chewed through the final bar. “It won’t be long now,” Malcolm observes, as he tries unsuccessfully to raise Tim on the radio.
Tim experiments with the computer, carefully observing what happens as he presses different buttons and accesses different submenus. His attention to detail acknowledges that control of the computer system relies on clear understanding and respect for its parameters—he thus demonstrates both the ability to gain insight and the proper orientation of humans toward the chaotic, uncontrollable world around them. In the hall, he maintains enough presence of mind to see and use the available tools at his disposal.
Themes
