In this high-tech science fiction novel, there seems to be an emphasis on punishment. It seems rather severe of a consequence for death to be “the accepted punishment for laziness, carelessness, lack of grace, the failure to heed the demands of an intricate protocol.”
When Linda Lee originally tells Case that Wage wants him dead, his reaction is much more composed than a typical person’s reaction would be in this day and age. Linda tells Case that “too many people owe him,” and he “seriously better watch it.” Case responds by saying “Sure. How about you Linda? You got anywhere to sleep.” He completely ignores the warning and brings up a subject that is inconsequential in comparison. In fact, everybody in this society seems to accept death as a typical occurrence.
Death is hinted everywhere in many mundane things in this civilization, such as sleeping arrangements. It is ironic that Case rents a coffin to sleep in because it goes along with the themes of death and punishment. It could even be implying that he may as well be dead. Especially since death is even more commonplace among those who are involved in the black market.
Out of confusion and concern that he is going to be killed, Case goes to Julius Dean for information. Dean treats the conversation as if it is as trivial as if they were “discussing the price of ginger.” Potential death as punishment is nothing new.
Punishment and poverty seem to run hand in hand. Case turned on the people he was hired to work for. As a punishment they crippled his nervous system. Case lies to Linda when he gives her money and says he has more coming. In the state he was in at that point he was incapable of earning an income. Case could not work because of his injuries and he was, therefore, unable to make a living for himself.
Interesting observations about the prevalence of death in the novel, Carly. How do you think this might or might not relate to larger themes—say, technology—in the novel?
I also noticed that death was referred to in a rather trivial sense throughout the novel. In my opinion, this nonchalant attitude towards death stems from the fact that Case finds himself to be already dead. Of course he isn’t literally dead, but Case finds life without the ability to enter Cyberspace isn’t a life worth living at all. He constantly refers to how his life is mundane and boring and longs for the ability to enter cyberspace. I also noticed the use of the word “coffin” to describe the place where those in Night City sleep. I think this further proves the point that Case is nonchalant about death because he feels his life without Cyberspace is not worth living.
I agree that this novel is very morbid in the sense that death is no big deal or news. It is as if a sudden and cruel death is expected with every step Case takes. He has been a criminal all his life and is constantly on the run. I feel like Gibson is trying to say that in a world centered around technology, there are definite consequences, one of which being that neither death nor any other emotional occurrence has an impact on the people who live in that world.