Loneliness and Isolation

My favorite thing to do on a cold and or rainy day, as I am sure many of you can agree, is to stay inside with a warm cup of hot chocolate and watch movies. I do not feel like being social or even doing anything productive. The cold makes us want to retreat inside and we often stay there until it passes. In The Left Hand of Darkness, the cold does not pass. The temperature remains constant and is therefore a major part of Gethenian life. Gethenians do not have the energy or stamina to both fight the cold and to be outgoing and social. Therefore, the inhabitants of the planet are often isolated and lonely.

Also, due to the harsh climate, the people who live on Gethen are always bundled up in numerous layers of jackets and other clothing items. Here on earth, in my opinion, when I see someone with a hood up it is similar to a barrier. I see it as a way for people to isolate themselves from their surroundings and therefore do not want anyone to interact with them. Since Gethenians are even more layered than a sweatshirt and a hood, they most likely feel that barrier much more prominently.

When people think of cold weather they often tie that to gloominess and sadness whereas the sun and warmth usually are related to happiness and cheerfulness. The terms “cold soul” and “cold blooded” are used when referring to someone who is emotionless and who doesn't feel empathy. This is how I feel many of the Gethenians are in some cases because all of their strength, energy, and emotion is focused on the weather and their surroundings. In my opinion, their attitudes due to the weather assists in the isolation and the loneliness that they feel.