Introduction, outline and thesis

Using Doctor Who as my primary focus, I want to attempt to argue in my project that steampunk, instead of being a genre in itself, better functions as an accessory to other more dominant and inclusive genres such as science fiction. In terms of its often accepted status as a subgenre, I would argue against this as well as steampunk has so many defined and yet undefined rules of classification and it is heavily focused on aesthetic as opposed to any other meaningful creative element. Therefore, steampunk, I would assert, works best as what I would call a “genre accessory” because just as a clothing accessory is used to enhance a person’s look, so are steampunk elements used to enhance the aesthetics in various genres and subgenres alike.

Instead of self-proclaimed steampunk authors or other artistic creators trying so hard to deliver something that the steampunk community won’t spit back out at them, they should take back their creative freedoms. If they are interested in steam inventions or golden goggles or whatever, put them in, but they shouldn’t have to worry about everything falling in-line.

Doctor Who as the perfect example of how steampunk elements are being infused into the science fiction genre to make it fresh and exciting instead of relying heavily on the ridiculous rules and constraints of steampunk, or even calling it steampunk for that matter.

SO WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?

Steampunk is a threat to creative license. When you go through the list of things that you need to make something “steampunk” in order to appease everyone in the steampunk community, once you’re done you have something that looks like everything else. Nothing creative should ever be so rigid and senselessly argued for its classification, and Doctor Who is a great example of a creative work that is wonderful for the fact that it can never be tied down to arbitrary rules.

Here’s how this is going to go:

ONE: I provide a mini synopsis (if that’s even possible) of Doctor Who so you have some background information

TWO: I offer a list of definitions of steampunk and highlight these definitions’ preoccupation with aesthetics in order to show its reliance on the “look” rather than the “content.” This is of course problematic to steampunk’s classification as a “genre” or “subgenre” because genres and subgenres are supposed to be predominantly setting-, plot-, character- and theme-focused

THREE: Based on my thesis, I offer a personal definition of steampunk that will help me to elaborate on my argument

FOUR: I compare the classification of a “genre” and a “subgenre” to steampunk in order to demonstrate the fact that it does not fit neatly into either category (“sloppy” and “awkward” are terms that I would use to describe steampunk’s place under either one of these headings)

FIVE: To elaborate on the definitions of “genre” and “subgenre,” I offer a list of genres found in Doctor Who accompanied by a few popular subgenres in an attempt to show its lack of complication compared to how steampunk is defined in the following blog

SIX: As my previous point suggests, I offer a list of criterions of steampunk to show how overly specific and restrictive it is for people who wish to write or produce a creative work under its coveted classification. I also highlight the points that refer to aesthetics to further acknowledge steampunk’s merit as an accessory or aesthetic

SEVEN: Lastly and as the focus of my project, I break down three episodes of Doctor Who that have been affiliated with steampunk to demonstrate how the other genres and subgenres of the show are sufficient classifications without steampunk’s contribution

EIGHT: I wrap up all of my findings in a neat and tidy conclusion that combines all of the aforementioned and hopefully leaves people with newly-discovered clarity on this annoying issue (sorry Professor Danahay, but you have to admit that all of these opposing arguments have become a wee bit frustrating!)