Clockwork Rhetoric

<p><This unique book explores how the aesthetic and cultural movement “Steampunk” persuades audiences and wins new acolytes. Steampunk is an aesthetic style grounded in the Victorian era in clothing and accoutrements modeled on a heightened and hyper-extended age of steam. In addition to its modeling of attire and other symbolic trappings what is most distinctive is its adherents’ use of a machined aesthetic based on steam engines and early electrical machinery—gears pistons shafts wheels induction motors clockwork and so forth.</p><p>Precursors to steampunk can be found in the works of Jules Verne and H. G. Wells. The imagery of the American West contributed to the aesthetic—revolvers locomotives and rifles of the late nineteenth century. Among young people steampunk has found common aesthetic cause with Goth style. Examples from literature and popular culture include William Gibson’s fiction China Miéville’s novels the classic film <em>Metropolis</em> and the BBC series <em>Doctor Who</em>. This volume recognizes that steampunk a unique popular culture phenomenon presents a prime opportunity for rhetorical criticism.</p><p>Steampunk’s art style and narratives convey complex social and political meanings. Chapters in <em>Clockwork Rhetoric</em> explore topics ranging from jewelry to Japanese anime to contemporary imperialism to fashion. Throughout the book demonstrates how language influences consumers of steampunk to hold certain social and political attitudes and commitments</p>