William Gibson’s Neuromancer (1984) is arguably the most influential novel in the cyberpunk genre, and the origin point of many of its common tropes. Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash (1992) takes up many of the same themes, but not necessarily in the same direction.
For your midterm essay, please consider the cyberpunk tropes we’ve been looking at in fiction and film so far this semester:
• Noir
• Cityscape
• Physical Augmentation
• Mental Augmentation
• Mind Uploading
• Cyberspace
• AI
• Japanese & Asian cultural influence
• Power: Multinational Corporations, Organized Crime, Governmental Breakdown
Consider 3-4 of these tropes in both novels, comparing and contrasting the approach each text takes, and exploring what you find most interesting in each.
In considering the novels, you should use quotes and events from the text to support your arguments. Cite not only direct quotes, but also paraphrases and ideas that come from sources (MLA page number cites if you are using paper copies; chapter or section numbers if you are using ebooks without fixed pagination).
You may, but are not required to, include outside research in your essay. This includes literary criticism as well as relevant research in science and technology. The primary focus, however, should be on your reading of the novels themselves.
In considering the novels, you should use quotes and events from the text to support your arguments. Cite not only direct quotes, but also paraphrases and ideas that come from sources (MLA page number cites if you are using paper copies; chapter or section numbers if you are using ebooks without fixed pagination).
You may, but are not required to, include outside research in your essay. This includes literary criticism as well as relevant research in science and technology. The primary focus, however, should be on your reading of the novels themselves.
The essay will be due via Canvas by class time on Wednesday, March 20.
The usual considerations apply: please include your name and the class information in the upper right hand corner, and please number your pages. Use MLA in-text citations (or another consistent format like APA or IEEE), and include a Works Cited page. Double-spaced, Times New Roman, with one-inch margins. The essay should be 6-8 pages long, not including any cover page or Works Cited page.
The usual considerations apply: please include your name and the class information in the upper right hand corner, and please number your pages. Use MLA in-text citations (or another consistent format like APA or IEEE), and include a Works Cited page. Double-spaced, Times New Roman, with one-inch margins. The essay should be 6-8 pages long, not including any cover page or Works Cited page.
No plagiarism or AI Usage.