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Cyberpunk in William Gibson’s “Neuromancer”

Science-fiction has evolved to great extent since its popularity grew in the late Romantic era. From the humble beginnings of Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Centre of the Earth” to H.G. Wells’ “War of the World’s”, science-fiction has given itself a positive connotation in the world of literature. Throughout the time of its evolution science-fiction has picked up on many sub genres which categorize and specify each work even further. A sub genre that has picked up popularity in literature and pop culture is Cyberpunk. The Oxford Dictionary defines Cyberpunk as: “a genre of science fiction set in a lawless subculture of an oppressive society dominated by computer technology”. In simple English, cyberpunk is a term used by the media to refer to criminals who commit crimes with technology. This sub genre of science fiction inspired a literary as well as pop culture movement, with films such as “Terminator” (1984) or “RoboCop” (1987) modeled around the common themes and/or problems of a cyberpunk work. These key characteristics distinguish a cyberpunk work from a regular science fiction one and have been inspired by William Gibson’s hit novel “Neuromancer”. William Gibson’s innovative writing style has sparked the cultural phenomenon known as cyberpunk through his novel “Neuromancer”. In “Neuromancer”, Gibson implemented three characteristics into the novel that have never been mixed before: the dark, gloomy setting, the utilization of advanced technologies, and the . With the three features listed, Gibson helped create the cyberpunk genre as we know it today.

Generally, cyberpunk works exhibit a common setting which complements their synopsis, plot and themes. The dark, and gloomy environment showcased in cyberpunk novels creates a dystopian like setting that blends well with the story at hand. Gibson’s famous first statement in Neuromancer gives the reader a sense his/hers surroundings. “The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel” (Gibson, 3) "Beyond the neon shudder of Ninsei, the sky was that mean shade of gray. The air had gotten worse; it seemed to have teeth tonight. and half the crowd wore filtration masks.” (Gibson, 15) The environment in Neuromancer, is very much polluted and dark. Gibson’s addition of the dark and gloomy environment not only can provide a sort of “weather imagery” which will foreshadow events, but it can also be his interpretation of the effects of technology and its negative impacts on society. A postmodern time is usually added to make allow the use of technology more convincing and true. However, cyberpunk novels stay within the near future and stay far from the far future
which science fiction authors like Isaac Asimov thrive in. A good example of a cyberpunk work that exhibits the setting is “Blade Runner” which is directed by Ridley Scott, which takes place in the year 2019. Although no date has been given in Neuromancer to verify the year in which the novel takes place it would be wise to assume that it takes place within the first half of the 21st Century given the fact that most situations seem to be no different then the present time but with the inclusion of a technological twist. For example, while Armitage, Molly and Case were enjoying dinner at the Vingtieme Siecle, they were entertained by a man named Peter Riviera who created a show using his mind to project images in the forms of holograms. As well as being set in the future, cyberpunk novels are known for their unique portrayal of mega corporations and their massive role in society. It is common to see corporations with an immense amount of power which usually outweighs the government. It’s also important for one to bear in mind that cyberpunk started in the 1980s, a time in which their was a rise in capitalistic settlement and corporate power. Authors started including corporations that took what was happening at the present time and putting it into the extreme, which involved the corporations with the majority of power. The Tyrell Corporation of Blade Runner and Tessier-Ashpool of Neuromancer are two examples. In Neuromancer, Tessier-Ashpool had so much power it had influence on the way people lived their lives.

The reappearing use of advanced technology in cyberpunk is the staple of the genre its self. In Neuromancer their is evidence of an advanced technology with the many inclusions of AI, virtual reality and cyborgs. For example the Matrix plays a major role in the novel and has similar characteristics as the Internet. However, despite both being able to exchange data, the Matrix has a more embodied experience. In a sense, its the Internet with a virtual reality feel, or as Gibson puts it “a consensual hallucination” (Gibson, 51). The Matrix is of great use to Case who relied on it and was disallowed from using it when he stole from his employers. Gibson also implements the idea of cyborgs in the novel, which involve a human having mechanical elements built into the body. For example the character Molly, has a multitude of modifications which include ocular implants and retractable razors under her nails."ten double-edged, four-centimeter scalpel blades housings beneath burgundy nails" (Gibson, 25)” “the glasses were surgically inset, sealing her sockets.” (Gibson, 24) Such modifications don’t exist in our present time and most likely won’t for the next few decades. Despite the work done on her, Molly’s mind, the way she acts and her emotions are all signs of her being a human however, her augmentations give her the edge when it comes to what she does for a living, which is being a razor girl. The idea of cyborgs, specifically razor girls gained momentum with works like “Mindplayers” by Pat Cardigan in which the protagonist is a razor girl.Also, the use of cyborgs is also seen on the very first page of Neuromancer, with Ratz, the bartender, using his prosthetic arm to serve Case. “Ratz was tending bar, his prosthetic arm jerking monotonously as he filled a tray of glasses with draft Kirin.” (Gibson, 3) Along with cyborgs and virtual reality, AI also known as artificial intelligence plays a major role in Neuromancer’s role in cyberpunk. In fact the entire plot of Neuromancer revolves around the two AI, Wintermute and Neuromancer. Their presence at the beginning of the novel is rather blurry, but as the story progresses so do they. By the end Case learns about the big picture and his roles in the missions Armitage sent him on.

Lastly, the dystopian portrayal of Neuromancer gives it that unique feel, different from any other science fiction work. While reading through Neuromancer, one will notice that technology is generally given a bad reputation because it is not used for the better of people. The negative connotation is given due to the fact that they are used for evil. For example, when Molly and Case needed to steal Dixie’s ROM, they hired a street gang to create a diversion by making a cyber terrorist attack. Once the diversion was made it was then very simple for the two to snatch what they needed. Another example of technology used for evil was the whole plot of combining Neuromancer and Wintermute. The act of creating such super AIs was forbidden under the Turing Law Code. Also when Armitage becomes Corto again, his new personality goes short-lived because Wintermute kills him. Another dystopian feature in Neuromancer are the characters. The characters in Neuromancer and in the cyberpunk genre are generally antiheroes. They posses no heroic qualities whatsoever because of their nature and professions. Case, for example is a hacker and drug addict. He was unable to continue his cyberspace hacking, because he stole from his former employers and they barred him from accessing it. Molly, for example is a “meat puppet” also known as a prostitute, but she also worked in a “puppet parlor” which is a place where people loan out their bodies while maintained in a unconscious state. These examples exemplify very well the dark world of Neuromancer.

In conclusion it is important to note the examples listed that prove that Gibson’s novel Neuromancer provided a unique twist to the science fiction genre by creating a new cyberpunk genre. From the dark setting and powerful mega corporations that make one cringe of what might possibly be waiting in the future, to the advanced technology of the matrix and AI. The dystopian feel of the novel creates a eerie and certainly cyberpunk setting.