The Right Hand of Blogging

Ursala K. Le Guin’s novel, The Left Hand of Darkness, dives headfirst into the same subjects many of us desperately avoid at family gatherings—politics, power, and sexuality. Religion too, but I think we’ve got enough to discuss in just one blog.

The novel starts off lightly with the definition of patriotism from two different perspectives. Genly Ai’s interpretation of patriotism is fairly standard, the love of one’s country. But Estraven discusses patriotism as fear of the other. Fear of what and who you do not know. This fear can apply to Genly’s alien species and to real-life people who fear those different from them.

This fear, in fiction or real-life, has destroyed, and will continue to destroy, nations and families.

Estraven’s actions throughout the novel prompt the question, which is more important, serving your country or serving humankind? Estraven chooses humankind and gives his life for it. He knows Karhide isn’t ready for Genly’s message, so he encourages him to take it to another nation, despite the fact that Karhide would not receive the glory. All he cared about was that Gethenians got the message.

He acts in the opposite way of Argaven, Karhide’s king. Returning to Estraven’s definition of patriotism, leaders serve on fear. Argaven does not operate on the best interest of Karhide, but rather for his image. He’s manipulated by his inferiors, people who are also only looking out for themselves. Despite the fact that Gethenians are androgynous people, both men and women, and hardened to survive in freezing temperatures, power dynamics on planet Winter are almost the same as in real life.

Estraven is seen as a traitor for trying to get Genly’s message to any Gethenians. Yet, as Genly comes to understand, Estraven loves Karhide. Genly once again wonders what patriotism means when Estraven prefers to remain in Karhide despite the fact that the king has made it legal to murder Estraven “The Traitor.” For people with no word for war, Karhiders can be quite violence.

Speaking of language, clear communication would have saved Genly and Estraven a lot of time and may have even saved Estraven’s life. Estraven thought he was being blunt while Genly became increasingly frustrated at his supposed vagueness. But, once they figure it out, they reached an understanding of sorts and are later able to engage in mindspeech, truthful, telepathic Terran communication. There is love and, at times, an almost sexual connection, between Estraven and Genly, highlighted by Estraven’s sacrifice and Genly’s grief.

From one-on-one conversations to world leaders, communication is an overlooked factor in peace and war.

The novel uproots much of what people may consider permanent, like language and gender. Humans are the weird ones. You mean you can feel sexual attraction at any time, and you don’t morph between male and female during certain months?

The novel’s world can be mind-bending, but its messages about power, sex, and politics reflect current issues on Earth (the non-fictional Earth). Just maybe don’t bring it up at Thanksgiving.