The constant cold of Gethen contributes to the theme of isolation and loneliness throughout the novel by the atmosphere it creates. Genly, a alien from a different planet, and Estraven, an exiled traitor, are both alienated within Gethen with only themselves to trust and count on. Their journey through the Ice in order to reach Karhide after escaping the Farm illustrates this theme of isolation and loneliness through the Ice’s harsh cold weather that the both of them must survive in order to achieve their goal. Together Genly and Estraven fight through Gethen's “...bitter, terrible, and bright [winter]” (pg. 214) on their journey of isolation in which they ultimately begin to find a connection between each other. Throughout their expedition, Genly eventually begins to distinguish a difference between the warmth and the cold in Gethen. While inside the tent with Estraven, he states, “A marvelous thing surrounded us: warmth. Death and cold were elsewhere, outside.” (pg. 245) , in which he attributes warmth with Estraven and coldness with the outside, or Gethen. This displays the theme of isolation and loneliness that both Genly and Estraven felt and began to overcome together by the end of the novel.
There was a very good point made. You obviously stated how the cold weather was a representation of loneliness. However, the excellent observation was the connection with warmth and a sense of comfort.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right! Coldness and winter go hand-in-hand with the idea of sadness--typically that of loneliness. In literature, "coldness" implies the lack of another "warm" being. I especially like the quote you used to describe the implications of a cold climate. At this point in the book, it was Genly and Estraven against the world (of Winter/Gethen), exhibiting a small warmth with a vast coldness.
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