Ursula Le Guin wrote The Left Hand of Darkness in a very smart way by taking a break
from telling the story and writing several chapters on myths/symbolic
parables. The reason why I say that it was a smart thing to do is because it
helps the reader understand the Gethanian culture. The book is already confusing enough so by getting these myths
they help gain background information and they also foreshadow what is going to
happen in the story. The very first myth, which is chapter two called “The
Place Inside the Blizzard,” foreshadows the most. Chapter two is about these
two brothers that vowed kemmer to one another and were commanded to separate.
One of the brothers ended up committing suicide because he couldn’t live a life
without his lover and the other ran away traveling over this glacier. This is
significant because suicide is the biggest crime to commit on Gethen. However with that one brother committing suicide it was seen as a really powerful thing, because it showed how much love he had for his brother to want to die instead of living a life without him. With being said, this myth foreshadowed the love Estraven had for Genly Ai. Estraven not only got exiled for Genly but
also committed, the second biggest crime, theft to get things that would help
get Genly out of prison and help them get back into Karhide. The myth also
foreshadowed the travel that Estraven and Genly would have to take on across
the Ice by saying that the brother who ran away had to travel across a glacier.
I see eye to eye with what your saying. At first the myths and backstories seemed random but they actually helped progress the story further. Some gave background information and some gave a foreshadow of what might come. I honestly didn't see the connection that you made with the brothers forbidden love and the love with Genley and Estraven. Now that you point it out it makes perfect sense how would would commit one of the most frowned upon crimes in order to take care of the other.
ReplyDeleteThe myths and parables have really helped us as readers to understand a little more of the Gethenian culture. We took a break after each chapter to learn a little more about Gethen. Although the myths/parables were hard to follow at first they really helped and showed foreshadowing. I really liked how you compared the myth in Chapter 2 to the relationship between Estraven and Genly. We were able to realize the love Estraven had with a little help from the myth.
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