There are two every prominent myths that Gethenians live their lives according to. The first myth being that two siblings may not fall in love after kemmering. In chapter two of the book historian from Ehrenrang looks into a collection of hearth -tales , one of them feels the tale of two brothers who vow kemmering to each other which is acceptable. When one of the brothers found an mutual love for one another , which is seen in es abnormal in Karhidian culture, one of the brothers, Getheren, is chased out of Hearth after announcing his suicide . The men that chased him out had intents on murdering Getheren after announcing his suicide for "murder leaves a lighter shadow on the house than suicide."(23) Love amongst 2 siblings wasn't seen as crime until "it was seen as the cause of his brothers suicide (23)." Every "crime" in Karhide seems to be rooted by the  subject of suicide, which is the most dishonorable thing to do in Karhide. Suicide is  even mor dishonorable than murder itself, which really boggles my mind. Karhides dishonor in suicide  reminds me of the way the Christian faith dishonors it where suicide is seen as selfish way to handle your problems, taking ones life is seen as disrespect to gods primal gift to an individual, life (sorry really repeatitive, but you get my point right). Similarly, Kahride finds dishonor in suicide because it is seen as in reasonable due to the fruitful "perfect lives" Karhidians deem themselves to have.  Suicid e is also brought up in chapter 4 of the book which tells the of Herbor and his kemmering Berosty, were Berosty sends Herbir to find the date of his death from the fortellers. When Berosty is unsatisfied with the answer , he strikes Herbor in the head with a large stone, killing him. A month later Berosty takes his own life.The reoccurring subject of suicide throughout the book leads me to think that when Karhidians are faced with their plight , they don't find any strength to carry on.

Wave Three: Myths

Now I decided not to even try and pretend like I have a clear understanding of this book, it was a difficult read for me, but I’ll try to break it down.

Throughout the story there are several myths presented and these myths remind me of two things; Greek mythology and the Bible.

Like I said I didn’t fully understand this book but I do understand the Bible (at least more than I understand this book) and despite popular belief, everything is discussed in the Bible. Literally, everything and anything, you can find it all in the Bible somewhere. From sex to school to prostitution to raising children--the Bible touches all bases. Many people even view the Bible as a book of stories about life and how to handle whatever situation life may throw at you.

That’s how I see these myths throughout LHoD. They’re like stories that explain how situations in Gethen should be handled. If you notice, every myth seems to either foreshadow or explain something from the story.

One myth that comes to mine (because it’s my favorite chapter even though it’s kind of sad) is the Nineteenth Day (chapter 4).  I love this chapter because it reminds me so much of Greek mythology.  Now there’s really no need for me to summarize the story, we all read it. And if you are unsure as to what part of the book I’m referring to it’s where this person goes and asks the Foretellers when they’ll die and end up driving themselves crazy and killing their kemmering partner by smashing a stone over their head.

If you ever think you’ve just experienced a “bad” break-up just go back and reread this chapter.

But anyway, this myth is later referenced in chapter 5 when Genly goes to speak to the Foretellers and is advised by Faxe not to ask a vague question because “Vagueness breeds vagueness” (pg. 60).

This proves that these myths aren’t just for readers like us, but the characters are aware of them too and live by them. Much like how some people try and live by the Bible.

Wave 3 blog

Throughout the novel, I noticed that the small myths embedded into the chapters all connect to either the Gethen way of life, or particularly, Estraven. For example, in chapter 2, two brothers vow kemmering together. this is allowed, but they are not allowed to stay in kemmering after they have had a child. Nevertheless, they stayed together anyway. When they were forced to separate, one of the brothers "despaired and would hear no comfort or counsel, and procuring poison, committed suicide" (22). This reflects how much it this is looked down upon in Gethen. Also, it shows how suicide is frowned upon because once one of the brothers committed suicide, the other one was exiled and blamed for a crime. This passage relates to Estraven because he was also exiled and had to go north across the ice to escape tumult, as Getheren did in the myth. Another example is "The Nineteenth Day" in chapter 4. In this myth, someone named Berosty asks the foretellers when he will die. Since the foretellers need very specific questions to give reasonable answers, and Berosty asks a vague question, he gets the vague answer of "the 19th day of any month." After that, he sends in his kemmering partner, Herbor, to ask again. After offering his life as a trade for an answer, he is also given a vague answer of "longer than Herbor." After Herbor is killed by Berosty for not getting the right answers, Bereosity hangs himself on the nineteenth day. This explains how the foretellers need a very specific question to go off of, and foreshadows how Genly must be careful when he visits the foretellers in chapter 5.

Wave Three: Gethenian Myths

I'll be honest.  I struggle with this book.  It is very difficult for me to understand; however, I will do my best to understand.

As I read the myths in this book, I noticed that most (or all) of the myths involve at least one Gethenian person being killed.  When I noticed this, I imagine that Gethenian culture may be connected to death in a certain way.  These myths may connect to the fact that suicide is the most despised crime on Winter.

The myth that I'm most familiar with lies in chapter two, where two brothers vow kemmer, and one of them dies.

Death should definitely have something to do with Gethenian culture; however, I can't think of any connections between these myths and Gethen.  What do you students think?

I believe that these small stories and myths are shared all around Gethen in order for Gethen civilians to establish and accept a moral set of laws on their planet.

Wave Three

The year is 1491, on an interplanetary distant future. The Earthling Genly Ai has come alone to the planet Gethen also called Winter, thanks to its climate, which ranges from chilly and frigid year-round to convince its leaders to join the Ekumen, a loose league of more than eighty worlds, which is crazy. The first folk tale had to do with Kemmer
 and two brothers that were in love.

Wave 3: Gethenian Myths

As I read the myths and tales included in the novel, I viewed them as they are essentially "rules" for the Gethen society. It's similar to what we think of stories like "The Tortoise and the Hare". Lessons that we learn in stories that set up expectations in our society. In Chapter 2, readers are informed of the two brothers that fall in love during kemmer. Now we know that isn't allowed in their world and I think that stories like this function as examples of law being broken in their society. These stories essentially serve as situations where Gethenian rules are being broken, such as "it was never permitted them to vow kemmering for life" (22). Same thing is understood from our worlds view of "The Tortoise and the Hare", being fast doesn't win a race. These myths are meant to show the results that have occurred after a rule has been broken. The point is to ensure that similar results won't continue to happen in that society so it is run according to their expectations and standards. Another instance aim which this is shown is in Chapter 4, when the impatient Berotsy must know when he's going to die. The foretellers continue to give Berotsy a short, unexact answer of when he will die and the infuration builds, leading to his suicide. The Gethenians as we know she suicide as the ultimate crime. This story shows that qualities like impatience and anger are not wanted to be possessed. As it's said in the book, Berotsy "has no love nor joy nor lordship" leading to the answer he received (45). This tale is told to prevent Gethenians from acting with those characteristics.

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

The constant cold of Gethen contributes to the theme of isolation because Genly isn't from there, he's from a warmer place which means it is way too cold for him here and he can't withstand it. In addition to him not being able to stand to cold, he is also different from them  and thinks differently and he feels as he doesn't fit in as well which connects to him feeling isolated and lonely. Also, since they are not like him, they don't understand how he feels. Actually having a full time gender unlike the others also greatly contributes to him feeling like an outcast. However, Genly isn't the only one who is lonely, there are many others who also feel as if they are lonely but luckily for them they aren't super cold too since they are from there. I think being cold and lonely also drives you to want to give up because you just feel so miserable. Later in the book Shusgis lets Genly in his room which is filled with blankets and heaters and stuff to keep him warm. He then asks Genly if he is comfortable and Genly is shocked and touched because nobody on Gethen has ever asked him if he was comfortable.

[KC]: WAVE THREE Discussion Question

Wave Three:

Here comes the prompt for the third wave of blogging for The Left Hand of Darkness. Wave Three Bloggers must post in response to this prompt by 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 5.  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.

Reflect on the myths presented in the various chapters of Left Hand of Darkness. Consider them as little symbolic parables and consider the following: What does this myth tell you about Gethen culture? However, some of the myths do have direct connections to the plot, especially the ones about Estraven. Discuss some of the Gethenian myths and folktales. Find one to discuss—the Place Inside the Blizzard, the Nineteenth Day, etc. How do such stories function in a culture?

Reminder, your post should be between 250-300 words long. Anything shorter will not be effective. Also, include page numbers when you reference the text.

Who shall post: Keith Pascual, Miracle Richards, Astrid Rivas, Daniel Salazar, Josh Salgado, Jada Simms, Kyle Small, Tena Spoolstra, Sarah Ssentongo, Miranda Tedsen, Jenna Yeaman