Wave 3: Myths and Legends

OK, Bloggers:  time for the last wave of discussion for this unit.  Here is your prompt:

REFLECT on the myths presented in the various chapters of Left Hand of Darkness.  Consider them as little symbolic parables and ask yourself:  what does this myth tell you about Gethen culture? Some of the myths make direct connections to the plot.  Discuss some of the Gethen myths and folktales.  How do such stories function in a culture

Remember, the following people need to post, and your post is due by 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 6.  ANYONE can comment, and everyone needs to comment at least twice over the course of this unit.

Wave 3 Bloggers:  John T., Stephanie T., Chris T., Paris T., Mark U., Alyssa V., Aaron V., Chania W., Brandon W., Kailyn W., Skyler W.

Cold and Lonely

The cold weather on Gethen contributes to the theme of isolation because typically being cold is associated with being alone. I know that when I think of extreme coldness, I picture some person all alone standing in the snow with a big coat on shivering to themselves. The cold just has a lonely connotation to it. Also, in the book during Estraven's isolation, he's primarily walking in the cold which further enhances the theme of loneliness that comes with extreme cold temperatures. When I'm  in cold weather I know that I mostly feel alone because I'm always shivering to myself to try and preserve my warmth, as I'm sure many others do.

The Loneliness in the Bitter Cold

In The Left Hand of Darkness, Genly often struggles with the cold more than anything else even more than his challenge of getting the Karhidish king to agree to join the Ekumen. While with the other prisoners, Genly was automatically suspected of not being able to withstand the cold like the typical Gethenian so everyone in the transport vehicle decided to let him be in the middle. This comforted Genly because while he was in fact the only one of his kind on this planet, this act of kindness from the Gethenians reminded him that he was not alone. To further explain this, let me put it this way. Often time one might find themselves in a situation where you are all alone and don't know anyone and then you have those group of friends who decide to meet you since you are all alone. Often time, the experience becomes better since you are no longer alone. It is the same thing with Genly. The cold is also a very strong reminder that he is alone because most people associate the cold with wanting to be with their loved ones and since Genly can't exactly be with his loved ones in the cold it makes him feel that much worse. Since Genly is from Earth, he sees the cold like the average human being but the people on Gethen always experience the cold so they are used to it and don't make the association of loneliness with the cold so the fact that they sheltered Genly from the cold must can indicate that Gethenians really aren't all that different from humans which must have really given comfort to Genly on this foreign and cold planet.

Perpetual Cold in Relation to Isolation in "The Left Hand of Darkness"

"Winter is an inimical world; it's punishment for doing things wrong is sure and prompt: death from cold or death from hunger." (Pg 99) 

One of Genly Ai's greatest struggles throughout the course of this novel is his constant battle with the cold. As we know, Gethen is also referred to as Winter for a very good reason; Genly, as a human, is not adapted to this perpetual cold like the Gethenians are and therefore has a far more difficult daily life. This struggle perpetuates the feeling of loneliness in Genly's life.

As an example, on his way to the Farm, Genly expresses that he and the other weak members were "recognized as being the least resistant to the cold, and each night we were at the center of the group, the entity of twenty-five, where it was warmest"(pg 170). Even though nobody in the van had ever spoken a word, the Gethenians picked up on Genly's susceptibility to the cold and allowed him into the middle of the pack for more warmth. Although this was an act of kind spirit, it still reinforces Genly's stark difference from the Genthenians- and the physical obviousness of it.  As much as he would probably like to forget that he is the only human on a strange far away planet, the cold is always a bitter reminder. 

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.

Coldness and Isolationism

While reading the novel, The Left Hand of Darkness, I didn't really make the connection between Gethen's weather and the theme of isolation; however, I remember Ms. Fletcher and Mrs. Vanderbaan talking about how the recent rain and weather makes us want to stay home where it's warm and comfortable.  We stay indoors because the weather outside is too cold and unpleasant for us; we are often isolated from everyone else.

Similarly, the constant, harsh environment prevents Gethenians from interacting with each other. Genly notes that "they are not a people who hurry" (41).  This suggests that the weather discourages Gethenians from rushing and communicating with each other.  They lack the energy necessary to be bustling about.  Isolationism is a result of this lack of energy.

In an entry written by a previous Investigator, the environment gets brought up again.  As she explains why war is such a rare concept to Gethenians, she believes that "the dominant factor in Gethenian life is not sex or any other human thing: it is their environment" (96).  By saying this, she is able to emphasize the impact of the weather on Gethenians' personality and their life style.  It shows that who they are is defined by their cold environment.  These people have become so used to surviving on their own.  They don't fight each other because they are too busy protecting themselves.  They don't interact as much because that, once again, takes energy.

Lastly, chapter two ties together both coldness and isolationism because it features a person who got exiled (Getheren?) and his journey on the freezing planet.  I think this draws a literal example of coldness and loneliness, but I am sure there is a more figurative importance to it.

AF: Wave Two! Question and participants

Here comes the prompt for the second wave of blogging for The Left Hand of Darkness.  Wave Two Bloggers must post in response to this prompt by 6:00 p.m. on Monday, January 30.  As before, anyone can comment on any post (Wave 1, 2, or 3), so by the time the unit is complete, you should have posted once, and commented twice.  Remember, we are always looking for students who are working ABOVE AND BEYOND the minimum requirements.

Wave Two:  How does the constant cold of Gethen contribute to the theme of loneliness and isolation?

Bloggers for Wave Two:  Alexis M., Bella M., Jasmine M., Tiffany N., Jeremiah P., Joel P., Susana P., Celeste P., Elizabeth R., Breanna S., and Taylor S.