Use of Repetition, Word Choice, and Imagery in Neuromancer :: Neuromancer Essays

Use of Repetition, Word Choice, and Imagery in Neuromancer While reading "Neuromancer", one may become extremely baffled if he or she cannot interpret the terminology used or the framework in which the book is written. Hence, the use of the formalistic approach is necessary in order for the reader to actually understand the concepts trying to be declared by Gibson. Through the formalistic approach one can begin to see that Gibson uses repetition, and specific word choice to set the tone for the novel, and imagery to relate the content of the book to the lives of his readers. Gibson chooses words to aid the reader in imagining the "dystopia" of the Freeside, a place where the main portion of the book takes place: "For Case, who'd lived for the bodiless exultation of cyberspace, it was the Fall" (6). "The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel" (3). Gibson describes Freeside as if it is one of the worst places to go. Katie Cooper also describes the dystopia portrayed in this book as well. Gibson also uses words out of the science fiction terminology such as "jack-in and flatline" to encourage the reader to feel as though he or she is actually in the mist of cyberspace. Even the title of the novel depicts a certain characteristic of the book: "'Neuromancer,' the boy said, slitting long gray eyes'The lane of the land of the dead. Where you are, my friend Neuro from the nerves, the silver paths. Romancer" (243). Through Gibson's use of specific words he creates a constantly depressing mood and he allows the reader in many ways to visualize cyberspace themselves. William Gibson is able to project a clear-cut conception of human communication and exactly how we interact with one another through imagery. He symbolizes this relationship through the use of the two Artificial Intelligence's (AI), Wintermute and Neuromancer. In the book, the AIs live completely different contexts than the other characters such as Case, Molly, or Linda. "No. I saw her death coming. In the patterns you sometimes imagined you could detect... My methods are far more subtle than Wintermute'. I brought her here. Into myself" (259). Neuromancer, one of the AI's, uses Case's close friend, Linda, to try and deceive Case into staying on the beach. Hence, the AI's speak through old friends of the characters to communicate with them.