I realize that I've never posted my last blog (heheh) so here it is:
According to Lawrence Person, science fiction writer, critic and editor of SF magazine Nova Express, cyberpunk characters are “marginalized, alienated loners who lived on the edge of society.” I think we can all agree with Person that the main character in All Tomorrow’s Parties, Laney, is exactly like that. Come to think of it, he is not our typical heroes either, he is rather…very anti-hero like. Lacking the traditional heroic qualities, such as idealism, our anti-hero, is manipulated and placed in situations where he has little choice and control. Despite the complexity this had lead the character Laney into being, it has also made him very believable and easy to relate to.
To be honest, I was almost disappointment to see Laney as the protagonist of ATP, perhaps because I was expecting to have a real “hero” to come and rescue the day. The fact that he lives in a filthy environment just makes me dislike him all the bit more. However, I can see the purpose of Laney’s character and every detail about him is not without a sense of reality. Laney’s physical state of being (living in a cardboard box) is used by Gibson to bring our attention to the homeless in Vancouver. In particular, Gibson points out the homeless situation around urban areas, as depicted in the novel by the subway station Laney lived beside.
Secondly, Laney’s anti-hero characteristic is shown as more and more of his weaknesses are presented at a greater amount than his assets. Laney’s obsession of Cody Harwood, an effect after being experimentally injected a drug called 5-BS as a child, was frightening to me. (This made me imagined Laney as a psycho thought out the story haha) However my admiration for him grew as he struggles between his drug-induced self and the Laney that works for Lo/Riz. Toward the end of the novel, too, Laney redeemed himself as we discover in Chapter 71 of his heroic aspect: he was courageous as he “ran toward” the confrontation with Harwood. Having seen several dimensions of Laney, Gibson has conditioned us to draw connections between the fictional character Laney, ourselves and the lives around us.
Now, if you will excuse me, it’s time for me to take my 5-SB.
1 comment:
Taking 5-Sb gets you to obsess, I hope you are obsessing over your final for now...
I did not like Laney at all because I did not understand him and his various actions. My fav character is Rydell for sure, so real!
As Dr. Ogden said in class, WG is satirising capitalism in ATP and Laney's card box home I think are one way of doing it.
ATP was sort of interesting due to the numerous characters and their final interaction but some loose ends just did not do it for me, I just know that come the final, I have to state my case in view if satirising capitalism!
OL DA BEST PEOPLE!
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