Notes: Gender and sex roles in Neuromancer

Pg. 69 “Her leg seemed to be….” Notes: Molly might not want to show her pain b/c it would show vulnerability and weakness, and she likes to be seen as a strong woman. So far, she is really the only strong female character in the book.

Pg.84 “He glanced back at the bed,…” Notes: Molly strikes Case in a different way, but why at this time? What has changed to make him see her differently?

Pg. 85 “ Terzibashjian proved to be a young man….” Notes: Most of the people we have met so far in power who they work for or with, such as this guy, are men.

Pg. 85 “ In Turkey there is disapproval of women…” Notes: This is one of the first times we are hearing about differences is gender roles in terms of implanted machinery. It is interesting that the culture in turkey is disapproving of it in women? Is this more widespread?

Pg. 85-86. “Molly bit one of the pastries…. She put away the gun.” Notes: There is something mysterious about Molly. Her she unexpectedly shows aggression. It is interesting why she does this here, when talking to this man. Molly has high respect for herself as far as I can tell, and maybe she became defensive b/c he doesn’t have much respect for her.

Pg. 87“ In Turkey, women are still women….” Notes: Just like today, in Gibson’s future there are still cultures that have women as lower class citizens. It is interesting that Terzibashjian cares so much that Molly is not fitting into the mold of how women act in his culture.

Pg. 90 “”You’re an asshole” Molly told the man…” Notes: I wonder how shocked this man is to meet a woman like Molly who defies the gender norms in his culture.

Pg. 90 “”It was sort of a private whorehouse…”” Notes: We still see the role of women in this Turkish culture, as whores and lower class citizens. In Chiba City though, there were also prostitutes, but in turkey prostitution is even part if the upper class society.

Pg. 101 “Molly leaned across him and…” Notes: Molly is asserting her power here, showing the new guy Peter that she is strong and powerful and in the hierarchy, is above him. We also here get to see the level of respect that Armitage has for Molly.

Pg. 92. “ I gotta busy night gain tonight….” Notes: Molly even though she is though and independent is like the mother of the group. She gets tasks done and takes care of Case. She doesn’t come off as a motherly character, but she takes the role of one often.

Neuromancer setting

“The Japanese had already forgotten more neurosurgery than the Chinese had ever known. The black clinics of Chiba were the cutting edge, whole bodies of technique supplanted monthly, and still they couldn’t repair the damage he’s suffered in that Memphis hotel.” (Pg. 4) Early Gibson gives us many clues to the setting of the Science Fiction novel “Neuromancer.” Initially, the story of Case begins in Chiba City, Japan. There are many cultural references to Japan, such as “the towering hologram logo of the Fuji Electric Company” (pg. 6) and Kirin Beer that quickly orient the reader to this location. This passage makes both Chiba and Case seem very sinister and leaves us uncomfortable and untrusting of both. Already we know that Case has a shady past and that something occurred that left him debilitated. Also, Chiba “black clinics” sounds darkly mysterious, but is most likely the reason that Case is in Chiba.

We are also quick to pick up that this novel is written in the future. “She held out her hands, palms up, the white fingers slightly spread, and with a barely audible click, ten double-edged, four centimeter scalpel blades slid from their housing beneath the burgundy nails.” (Pg. 26) Not only is the time period obvious, but now we also know some of the capabilities technically and biologically that exist. If switchblades can be implanted in nails, nerves spliced, and the matrix made tangible; then this world is in many respects a different place entirely than when the book was written. As readers, we are anxious and apprehensive, but also intrigued because we know that the possibilities are almost limitless.

This passage is also an example of how Gibson prefers to “show” us rather than “tell” us about the settings, characters, and other plot developing aspects. We are told Case’s story from the 3rd person subjective point of view, which allows us to understand Case’s thoughts. Gibson often uses dialogue, Case’s memories, or events to help us as readers learn more, especially about details of Case’s past. Case is very complicated, so when necessary Gibson gives us details though narration to make is less complicated.