Monday, February 6, 2017
Wave 3
A variety of folktales, myths, and biblical tales are incorporated in the telling of the Left Hand of Darkness. In the second chapter, we overcome a myth that has relevance through several points in the novel. This myth of the two brothers who vowed kemmering to each other was the one that I found most interesting. Not because they were blood siblings who fell in love with each other, but because of the heavy burden of disgrace that was placed on suicide. This, to me, demonstrated the importance of honor that is rooted in Gethenian culture, and how the betrayal of it is the most shameful thing to do in their society. However, it also seemed to me that suicide is looked down upon because of the harsh climate on Gethen. To survive on Gethen takes a lot of effort because of the freezing temperatures and little animals to feed on. Despite all this, a man is able to survive on a planet where all creations were built to stand against him, yet he cannot survive against himself. In my opinion, this is what makes suicide most disgraceful in Gethenian culture.
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I found that myth the most interesting as well, I think because of how natural it is inside Gethen to vow kemmer with a sibling. It is totally bizarre because of how unnatural that situation is inside of our society. These myths lead into certain situations on Gethen and prepare us for what might be happening or coming up inside the novel.
ReplyDeleteI agree with how the gethen world is a harsh place to live in and how suicide is look down upon.I think it is look down upon on is because it is seen as weak and not honorable. In gethen being honorable and being strong within is what people know mostly about. it is like those times of kings and queens where honor is very well talk about .
ReplyDeleteI think that is a very unique way to explain why suicide is frowned upon in Gethenian society. I never thought about connecting it's harsh climate with suicide. I think that this look upon the disgrace it brings and why it is thought to be so disgraceful is a very strong argument and reason for it
ReplyDeleteThis tale really was one of the most intriguing, and really resonated with me on very weird ends. First, I viewed the tale as just completely bizarre, being that they were brothers and all and on Earth, that's just something we do not do. As if that wasn't enough to catch your attention, the details about how suicide was disgraceful would definitely do the trick. So for one, this made me think okay, societal norms are definitely not always a terrible thing, and then there's me thinking about how suicide is no joke, in any society.
ReplyDeleteThis tale really was one of the most intriguing, and really resonated with me on very weird ends. First, I viewed the tale as just completely bizarre, being that they were brothers and all and on Earth, that's just something we do not do. As if that wasn't enough to catch your attention, the details about how suicide was disgraceful would definitely do the trick. So for one, this made me think okay, societal norms are definitely not always a terrible thing, and then there's me thinking about how suicide is no joke, in any society.
ReplyDelete