Matt and Vincent Comparison- Edward

FOCUS QUESTION: The main difference between the different genetic makeups specifically the contrast of challenges that each character faces because of each.

            One is fully human, one is a clone conceived in a petri dish and then implanted in a cow. Both face significant challenges based on their genetic makeup, their names are Matteo Alacran and Vincent Freeman. Straight from birth both Matt and Vincent were set apart from the rest of the “Pack”; in terms of Vincent not being genetically modified and having a 99% chance of having heart failure at age of 30 (Gattaca 1). Matt on the other hand is an exact genetic copy of another human by the name of El Patron (Farmer 1); Matt gets stamped on his foot from birth with a barcode and lettering saying "Property of the Alacran estate. Both characters have traits that contrast each other in worlds that are completely opposite from each other, however there still are multiple similarities that both Matt and Vincent share.

            Now specifically, a highly obvious similarity between the two is the fact that they are left out for their genetic make-up.  For Vincent it seems less a dire situation than Matt however, he is not allowed to go up in space because he hasn't been genetically modified and almost surely has a chance of heart failure.  Actual humans on the other hand treat Matt horribly because he is a clone; Matt also needs to die because he is a clone used for growing organs (Farmer 20).  Matt's situation is life and death whereas Vincent's is not quite as dire. A key point to this specific argument is how different the two worlds that both characters live in. It is such a contrast almost comparing the two to be ironic in that Matt would be accepted in Vincent's world and Vincent would be accepted in Matt's world.

             Vincent and Matt both try their very hardest to make people forget about their genetic makeup and just accept them for who they are as individuals. Vincent tries to beat his brother in swimming (3) and he also tries to gain access to the space program by not faking and trying to climb the ladder starting from a janitor and studying all of the textbooks without taking the actual courses (3-6).  Matt on the other hand tries time and time again to prove his significance. Matt tries to get very good grades, he learns new musical instruments and he also tries to help out around the estate in order for people to like him and appreciate him. (15-20). Both characters try their hardest and show true determination and will to succeed and thrive in their own environments. They carry a great similarity with each other to this aspect; I feel that this similarity is one that is most prominent in comparisons between these two characters because it is one that never stops throughout the whole duration of both The House of the Scorpion and Gattaca.

Please note references are in chapters of the novel, for Gattaca they are merely in order of events.