Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon : ethics, individual and state secrecy

Abstract

This article aims to explore the importance of secrecy, both state and individual, in Neal Ste- phenson’s Cryptonomicon, a science fiction novel that narrates its events in two different time- lines, one during World War II, the other presumably at the end of the 20th century. The two timelines in which the novel takes place present numerous state and individual secrets that give rise to readings about the need (or not) for a society of total transparency, as well as vari- ous ethical conflicts that may arise in the reader. These conflicts may arise from the audience’s empathy towards certain characters and the unfolding of various secrets and plots involving these characters throughout the novel.