The creation and dissolution of binaries in William Gibson's Neuromancer: Babylon, Zion, and the artificial intelligences
Date
2007
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
Since William Gibson includes a Rastafarian Enclave and a theological compass in Neuromancer, this can be used to examine the troublesome natures of the two Artificial Intelligences, Wintermute and Neuromancer. The Rastafarian's beliefs and interpretations of Babylon and Zion, the oppressors and the liberated, add political significance to the Tessier-Ashpool's and their enslaved Artificial Intelligences. Since the Artificial Intelligences are both created of Babylon – the Tessier-Ashpools – and also wanting to be free of them, they are something outside of both. In the Artificial Intelligences, then, Gibson collapses the straightforward dichotomy of Babylon and Zion.
Description
Keywords
William Gibson, Neuromancer, Rastafarian, dystopian, binary opposition, Artificial Intelligence
Citation
Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Department
English
Program
English