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.