One of the most important things that make a novel come together is a theme. Themes allow readers to express what they think the overall message of the novel is. In the novel Neuromancer, I have noticed a series of events that lead me to think that one of the main themes in this book will be betrayal. Although, many other readers may disagree with me, the novel has betrayal appearing in several key instances that affect the plot as a whole. Betrayal is first introduced in chapter 1 where it is stated that Case, the protagonist, decides to betray his employer and steals money from them. The fact that this first occasion was put in the very beginning of the novel, not only makes it essential, but gives us the background of how Case’s world really works. “A thief, he’d worked for other, wealthier thieves,”(pg 5) lets us know that not only Case was stealing, but other people involved in the business were as well, and that it happened in a sort of chain reaction.
The second instance that supports my claim is when Linda Lee betrayed Case by stealing his Hitachi RAM and lying to him about Wage wanting to kill him. This occurrence caught my attention the most because Case had sincere feelings for Linda Lee and she betrayed him. In the other instances betrayal has occurred between people who do not care much for each other, but here Case truly cared about her.
In addition to these two examples, another betrayal is mentioned when Armitage states “God is my witness, we have been betrayed” (pg 194). Armitage tell Case that the General Girling has betrayed them and that the only thing left to do for them was to escape. Because betrayal has been a dominant reoccurrence in this novel, I believe it will continue to happen until the end of book and leads me to think that it will be one of the main themes in the novel.
You are absolutely correct Lupe. There is a certain sense of foul intention behind the motives and actions of many of these characters. I think this sense of betrayal is a general problem affecting all aspects of the world sphere and that is why Gibson never fails to describe this recurring behavior in the metaphorical representation of the word “air.” To me, “air” could mean the polluted hearts, minds and mouths of many betrayers scattered around the world. In this futuristic mode of living, there seems to be a element of dullness and loss of value from the “gray,” “cloudy” tinge caused by various forms of betrayal. It is a “dog eat dog,” world, for sure, which releases and spreads the toxicity of betrayal into the “air” which the people breathe, or live in. The gradual spread then permits the freedom of illegal behavior without any punishment or justice.
Posi, in order to support this argument you would have to point to some particular places in the novel where “air” is shown as metaphorical. It’s true that Gibson makes a lot of the polluted air of the world, but I personally think it’s just setting the scene for us.
While reading Neuromancer this weekend, I noticed the same theme. Your examples hold a very good argument. I also think this theme of betrayal links to the technological theme of the novel. In general, I feel Gibson tries to make the point that technology has betrayed mankind. As we discussed on the first day of class, technology is something that makes tasks easier to accomplish. In the novel, however, it only seems that technology has made everything worse for Case and the other characters. I also agree that the theme of betrayal with continue and will also play a major part in the novel’s conclusion.
I completely agree that betrayal is developing as a theme in the novel. I have also noticed many other instances in the novel where betrayal seems to appear. When Case is captured, he has the option of testifying against Wintermute or being executed. Case immediately decides to betray his mission and testify against Wintermute. At many other points in the novel Case contemplates the idea of betraying the mission. I believe the only reasons he doesn’t do so are because of his admiration of Molly and his desire to learn how to neutralize the toxin sacs implanted in him. Through these themes of betrayal we see Case develop as a rather selfish character.
Good following up on a theme, Lupe, although I think you’d want to think about the larger message. What does Gibson want us to think about betrayal and how should we understand it? Leo’s ideas about technology might be one way of going about this, but they aren’t the only ones…
Professor, maybe I read too much into the story, but I thought it was a bit important that Gibson would describe that the “air had gotten worse,” “had a teeth tonight” just before the ensuing chaos in the arcade (15). I thought there must have been some imminent negative occurrence which Case assumes was part of Wage’s horrid intentions to kill him. Also I found it interesting that the “air was damp and close with the smell of sweat and concrete….the smell of cooked meat” in the air right outside Sammi inflated dome, where Linda Lee is killed (36, 38). I understood that those who killed Linda stole the same RAM for which Case had chased Linda in sweat, blood, vomit out of the Sammi. These polluted actions of happen within the moments where the atmosphere portrayed is in bad conditions.This was why I said the air was metaphorical. But then again, maybe it was just coincidence.
You’re right—and very sharp eyed—to spot all of these details, Posi. And it all does matter to the way that Gibson is telling the story. Where you’re overreaching is in thinking that the air has to be translated into “the polluted hearts, minds and mouths…”