This seems to be a very odd book, but so far I'm enjoying the book because of how off-beat it feels. You're thrown into the story in medias res, in the middle of Genly Ai's work here on Winter. I think it's a good method, because in scifi you end up having to do a lot of telling about who and what everything is, so to cut down on that by eliminating some of the useless information at the beginning of his journey is good. I thought Genly's interactions with the other Karhides to be very interesting, as he definitely spoke as a diplomat in a strange culture. Like on page 52, when Genly is talking to the leader of the Caravan, he seems very curious about the history of the mountains. Ursula Le Guin is good about making sure Genly discovers things at the same pace as the audience, yet making sure she doesn't give us all 12 name because that information isn't relevant. She's able to give us only what we need to understand the story.
What especially stuck out to me was the fact that we now know that Genly's mission will suceed. He goes to the Foretellers and asks them, from about page 65 until page 67. The only question Le Guin has to answer now is how do we get there. My question is do you have any theories for how Genly will get Winter to join the Ekuman?
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Left Hand of Darkness
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The Left Hand of Darkness is a very intriguing book, and sometimes hard to follow. What strikes me is the alternating of chapters that sometimes are told from the point of view of the main character, and are sometimes presented as historical "texts" from the planet in which they are on. I drew a few parallels between this book and the book Ender's Game, in the way that there is the instant communication device, which I think is an interesting concept. The book as a whole seems an extension of multiple ideas about space presented in the late 1900's, such as the time difference if Ai were to travel off-world. The concept of the race that consists of all males reminds me of an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, when there was an androgynous race. I am interested to see where Ai's journey takes him. I wonder if the author saying that the entire society prefers not to write anything is some sort of prediction about where our own society is headed. It will be interesting to see if he makes any further commentary of that situation.
ReplyDeletePatsy- At the moment I don't have any strong theories about how Gently Ai will get the planet to join, but I do think the King will probably not come around, and the King will either get killed, or removed, or something.
Do the concepts in this book remind you of other Sci-Fi books you have read?
I agree that it was really interesting, especially to see it from the perspective of other characters, like Estraven. The fact that now we get to see the opposing country is really great at establishing the world of Winter. She does a really great job expanding the world. The converse of Karhide to Ogryeon is really fascinating, as they seem much kinder to Genly. But there's something else they seem to be hiding. The fact that they have such severe propoganda reminds me of Nazi Germany, or perhaps Soviet Russia. These people are doing things because the government thinks it's right. I predict something exceptionally horrible will happen the Genly, and only Estravan can save him.
DeleteAnna Marie- The story reminds me of the Dune series, where a savior comes and fulfills this impossible prophecy. Specifically, the political intrigue around the villains, and the fact it shows their point of view. The tone is very similar in both stories.
My question for you is do you see any similarities between the two countries and any real life countries?
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DeletePatsy- I would say that I see some similarities to other countries, particularly in the propaganda. I agree that it is reminiscent of Nazi Germany-- I believe the book being written in 1969 could also mean that it is using some influence of what was happening during the Cold War, especially with the Karhide and Ogryeon being on the verge of war. Learning about propaganda used in the Middle East (when we watched that video in Bible class) also came to mind when reading the book. I think learning about the kemmering was interesting but strange. What struck me was how much it runs the Gethenian way of life. "Everybody has his holiday once a month; no one, whatever his position, is obliged or forced to work when in kemmering" (page 93). I find it interesting what the author is eluding to, about the absence of sexism, because any "mother" could also be a "father," and the King himself is a with child. I am curious to see how Ai and Estravan's relationship will further develop, and if they will both end up being more loyal to Ogryeon than to Karhide. Thus far, I am having a hard time liking Estravan or Ai. I feel like the reader is supposed to sympathize with Estravan and like him because of his connection with Ai, but without like Ai its hard to like Estravan. I think if one is going to send an envoy, they need to be a patient person who has been exposed to the experience of living in a new culture. All though it was stated that Ai received schooling for this, it seems like he would be better at this job. On top of that, why would they send someone like Ai, and not someone with a personality more compatible with the race, if they had done so much study of it?
DeleteAnna Marie-I predict that they will end up being more loyal to each other more than anything, I don't think that he's going to have any real loyalty to either side since Karhide did throw him out. I think it's really interesting that we see more people who wants to see Ai succeed in Ogryeon, but then they're the ones that put him in their concentration camps. We are missing a lot of information from when he was in Karhide, but I think the fact that everything in Karhide moves a lot slower while things in Ogryeon seem to move quicker. When I was reading it I thought Orgyeon was going to be more friendly, but when Ai "Was [awoken] by strangers, informed that I was under arrest and taken by an armed guard to a Kundershaden Prison" (166). As it went on I was appalled that Ai was treated like this, being starved and beaten like this, I was not expecting Ai to be treated like this. I it seemed like the Ogryeon people were really going to be better, but I suppose Ursula was intentionally trying to subvert that idea, and show that both countries are wrong to some degree. I think Estravan is going to be the one to rescue him, and maybe the two will end up with Estravan leaving the planet, and that will help the planet join Ekuman. My question this time is what do you think of this novel as a social commentary. Do you think it makes any important notes on our perception of gender rolls?
ReplyDeleteI also predict that Ai and Estravan's relationship will develop, but I don't know if Ai will ever truly trust Estravan. The way he has been thinking of Ai as a tool is kind of insulting, and I wonder if that is the norm for all on Winter to be more emotionally detached. I can't quite describe why, but something about the book reminds me of Game of Thrones. Perhaps it is the relationship between the countries: the literal "game of thrones." Personally, I wish the reader was given more information of Estravan. I wonder why he supports Ai's mission so much. Is it simply because he finds it intriguing? I really hated when Ai was taken as a prisoner, and one of the naked prisoners entered kemmer, and choose the wrong person to be attracted to (Ai). He obviously couldn't reciprocate, and thats sad. Ai says, "I saw a girl, a filthy, pretty, stupid, weary girl looking up into my face as she talked, smiling timidly, looking for solace... The one time any of them had ever asked anything of me, and I couldn't give it" (chapter 13, page 171). It is interesting that even Ai gives them genders, because it is difficult to think about someone without one. Also, now that it is known that one can enter Kemmer and be attracted to Ai, it makes me wonder if Estravan will do this with Ai. I think the authors is trying to describe a society opposite to our own (whilst still using real events as inspiration). The reader cannot help but make certain connections to our own society, which is probably intended, but the differences make it hard for the reader to connect to the book (at least thats how it is for me). I am more frustrated with the characters and the plot than I am invested and hopeful in it/them. Although I was hopeful and grateful that Estravan was trying to save Ai from the labor camp, it was still frustrating because one has to ask, "Why?"
ReplyDeleteAnna Marie- Towards the end of the book I was very hopeful, not as much frustrated. The pattern of character interactions in the story was that people did everything for their own gain. I was believing that Ursula was making a point that Estravan is different, and perhaps is genuinely kind. When Estravan thinks to himself "Maybe we have learned to pull together" (222) I was thinking perhaps Estravan would end up being some kind of representative to the Ekuman, and lifted out of of exile or having his name cleared. They grew much closer during their travels to the radio tower, and to Karhide, and I thought that they surely would end up happily together. Also, one of my favorite moments in a story is when they reference the title of the book, as Genly showed Estravan "It is yin and yang. Light is the left hand of darkness"(267). Looking at the story like that, you can see that Estravan was representing the darkness of the light, or the shadow behind Genly. Their origin myth places light and ice at the beginnong, with darkness and ice at the end which really keeps with ideas relating to how ice pervades every aspect of life on Winter. With the two of them interacting, Ursula was very clear that the two were only friends, yet I thought this friendship would still come to a climax at the end of the book. I guess in a way it did, with Estravan's sacrifice. Estravan wanted Genly to be free to convince Karhide to join the Ekuman, without having a convict with him to burden him. It was all because of Estravan that the planet can finally join the alliance
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of this reading, I knew that our prediction would come true, that Estravan and Ai would become better friends. I think the entirety of the journey across the ice is interesting, and the fact that we know Estravan is about to be in Kemmer builds anticipation. When it is revealed hat Ai has the concern that Estravan might potentially become a lover, it affirms to the reader that such a question isn't ridiculous and is plausible. I was never expecting the two to have any intimate interactions, so it wasn't a surprise when they didn't, but I was surprised when Estravan was killed. The action of placing himself in the way of certain death makes me wonder if he felt a deeper emotional connection to Ai, that developed during his Kemmer. I also thought that the information of Ai’s family was interesting, especially hearing about the family in parallel to the Gethenian way of life, and ways of mating. What threw me off a little bit was when the two decided to call each other by their first names— especially when the book was almost over. I thought that the plot took a drastic turn when Estravan suddenly died, and it seemed like their trek through the ice was for nothing, although one could argue the trek through the ice was what mattered more than the end result, and the strengthening of their relationship was most important. This journey, however, seems to further set up the disappointment when Estravan dies, and it does not feel quite reconciled by Ai beginning the story with Estravan’s son at the end of the book. That seems emphasized by the line, “I had come on a fools errand to Estre, hoping for solace. There was no solace; and why should a pilgrimage to the place of my friends childhood make any difference, fill any absence, soothe any remorse?” (Chapter 20, page 300).
ReplyDeleteThe Left Hand of Darkness is a very intriguing book, and sometimes hard to follow. What strikes me as odd are the alternating of chapters that sometimes are told from the point of view of the main character, and are sometimes presented as historical "texts" from the planet in which they are on. I drew a few parallels between this book and the book Ender's Game, in the way that there is the instant communication device, which I think is an interesting concept. The book as a whole seems an extension of multiple ideas about space presented in the late 1900's, such as the time difference if Ai were to travel off-world. The concept of a race that is androgynous reminds me of an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, when there was also an androgynous race. I am interested to see where Ai's journey takes him. I wonder if the author saying that the entire society prefers not to write anything is some sort of prediction about where our own society is headed. In chapter three, this circumstance is referenced in the quote, "Karhiders do not read much as a rule, and prefer their news and literature heard not seen" (Chapter 3, page 29). It will be interesting to see if he makes any further commentary on that situation.
ReplyDeletePatsy- At the moment I don't have any strong theories about how Gently Ai will get the planet to join, but I do think the King will probably not come around, and the King will either get killed, or removed, or something.
Do the concepts in this book remind you of other Sci-Fi books you have read?
(ANNA MARIE'S FIRST ENTRY)
Very interesting connections between Ai and Estraven's relationship and the relationship between the countries--and the relationship between Winter and the rest of the planets, I suppose? Your best analysis comes when you're working through the social/gender commentaries LeGuin may be making and when you're making sense of the apparently senseless elements of the ending--Estraven's sacrifice and Ai's attempt to find solace. Good job. (Remember to include quotes in every entry and keep exploring the purpose of the author's lit devices. :-) Grade on PP.
ReplyDelete