Steampunk, the term jokingly coined in 1987 by science fiction writer K. W. Jeter to describe the brand of “Victorian fantasies” written by himself and his contemporaries has since blossomed not only into a literary subgenre but into a whole subculture. While originally a sly nod to the cyberpunk subgenre in vogue at the time, steampunk has taken on its own lease of life and as such has aroused many a debate as to what steampunk actually is.
Victorian Science Fiction
The main definition of steampunk is that it is Victorian science fiction. Steampunk is works such as those of Jules Verne and H. G. Wells and all modern works that are inspired by what they (and their like) created. It is the aesthetics of the Victorian era coupled with science fiction anachronisms, “the transportation of technologies and sensibilities of later times into the past” (1) or retrofuturism as it is sometimes termed.
In this definition the “steam” refers to the steam-powered technology of the Industrial Revolution. The “punk” is simply a remnant of Jeter’s “tongue in cheek reference to the cyberpunk genre rather than a reference to the punk subculture.”(2)
The Punk of Steampunk
For some however, while the “Victorian Science Fiction” definition is all well and good, Steampunk is nothing without the “punk”. For them, the DIY aspect and the critique of the blandness and utilitarian nature of modern society and technology is what Steampunk is all about.
While retrofuturistic adventure and Neo-Victorian whimsy have their charms, it is important for Steampunk to be a functioning and meaningful subculture; that it not fall into the trap of rose-tinted nostalgia for an age that never was and to be aware of the prejudices and injustices inherent in the Victorian culture and that in the world today.
More Than Cosplay and DiY
Another definition that has crept into the common conception of Steampunk is that it is simply another form of cosplay, that it is simply about playing dress-up and making useless gadgets. While these might be elements (and some might say part of the fun!) it is clear from the two previous definitions that the majority of Steampunks view it is far more.
For some, Steampunk is simply a literary genre, others an excuse to dress up or make cool things and others still a means of critiquing the modern world, although none of these For some it is a hobby, while for others it is a way of life. For most it is somewhere in between all of these things. In the end though, as with most things, Steampunk can be (almost) whatever a person wants it to be. They can pick whatever elements they like and leave the rest. It is after all supposed to be fun.
Reference List
(1) "What is Not Steampunk" by Ottens, http://www.ottens.co.uk/gatehouse/what-is-not-steampunk
(2) "Steampunk 101" by GD Falksen, http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=blog&id=58009
Steampunk Magazine - putting the punk back into steampunk, issue #1
Michelle Wilkinson - Michelle Wilkinson is a freelance writer. She recently completed an MA in Screenwriting at the Skillset Screen and Media Academy (in which ...
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