Discuss Genly Ai's struggle to see Gethenians as they see themselves. What do Genly Ai's attitudes reveal about the world he comes from?
Genly struggles to see Gethenians as they see themselves because in Winter, there are no genders. However, where Genly comes from, it is the complete opposite and totally different. Genly is used to seeing genders in his life, but when he comes to Winter, it is hard to grasp the idea of there being no genders and what the state of "kemmer" is. He refers to them as "he" because it's easier. Gethenians also struggle to see Genly as he see himself. They can't grasp the idea of him always staying one gender and he is seen as a pervert and always being in a state of kemmer. This makes Genly feel like the odd one out of the bunch, which he technically is, and a bit strange. Looking at the Gethenians culture and comparing a his culture, he barely sees any comparison, other than facially.
Genly is open to their culture and he is actually interested in learning about their culture because he is the only different one. His curiosity reveals that the world Genly comes from is curiots about things. You can even tell this by seeing how his people decided to explore Winter even before Genly came. This shows the Genly's world is an adventurous, curious world and also is gentle and friendly because Genly came by himself to show that they were not trying to be hostile.
Monday, January 23, 2017
Wave 1 Response
Discuss Genly Ai's struggle to see Gethenians as they see themselves. What do Genly Ai's attitudes reveal about the world he comes from?
Winter is a place where every human is genderless, so Gethenians find it normal to not have any set gender. In my opinion, Genly Ai struggles to see Gethenians as they see themselves, because he is permanently a male. Where he comes from, every human has a set gender and can not switch off whenever there is sexual arousal. Genly Ai is seen as a pervert on Winter, by King Argaven, because he has a set gender. Gethenians only have a gender when they are going through kemmer or are sexually aroused. This might make Genly Ai feel a bit strange and out of place, because he is not like the rest of the humans around him. He does not mean to offend anyone by permanently being a male; in other words, he unintentionally seems like a pervert. He is also used to referring to humans as he or she, but he has to go through the struggle of not knowing what to call Gethenians, because they have no set gender. They could be a male or a female when they go through kemmer. Genly Ai's attitude reveals that the world he comes from is more like the world we are from, Earth. We, as readers, can connect with Genly Ai and can understand how he must be feeling because we are more alike to him than we are to Gethenians. Where he comes from, everyone has titles and are known by them. Also, Genly Ai makes it clear that where he is from it is not always cold like it is on Winter.
Winter is a place where every human is genderless, so Gethenians find it normal to not have any set gender. In my opinion, Genly Ai struggles to see Gethenians as they see themselves, because he is permanently a male. Where he comes from, every human has a set gender and can not switch off whenever there is sexual arousal. Genly Ai is seen as a pervert on Winter, by King Argaven, because he has a set gender. Gethenians only have a gender when they are going through kemmer or are sexually aroused. This might make Genly Ai feel a bit strange and out of place, because he is not like the rest of the humans around him. He does not mean to offend anyone by permanently being a male; in other words, he unintentionally seems like a pervert. He is also used to referring to humans as he or she, but he has to go through the struggle of not knowing what to call Gethenians, because they have no set gender. They could be a male or a female when they go through kemmer. Genly Ai's attitude reveals that the world he comes from is more like the world we are from, Earth. We, as readers, can connect with Genly Ai and can understand how he must be feeling because we are more alike to him than we are to Gethenians. Where he comes from, everyone has titles and are known by them. Also, Genly Ai makes it clear that where he is from it is not always cold like it is on Winter.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Wave I Response
Discuss Genly Ai's struggle to see Gethenians as they see themselves. What do Genly Ai's attitudes reveal about the world he comes from?
Though we have a wide variety of cultures on Terra, the most immediate difference between our cultures and the cultures on Gethen revolves around gender. On Terra, one's sex is the physiological characteristics that define men and women, and this remains universal to all cultures. However, one's gender refers to one's sense of oneself as male, female, or nonbinary, and with these labels comes various gender roles that vary from culture to culture. Whereas, Gethenians have neither sex nor gender unless amidst kemmer. The process of kemmer doesn't allow prejudice or bias from nature or man. Notice when I use the word "man". Although the word is used to label humans, regardless of sex or age, chances are you are picturing an adult male. It's just how we are programmed on Terra. Now Genly, being from Hain (also known as Davenant, the ascendant of Terra) is programmed the same way. So when people use words like "man, he, him, his, brother", it's easy to forget that they're genderless. Several times Genly associates people as male or female because of their expressions or physical features that are stereotypical for that specific gender. The only exception to this are the words "mother" and "father" because these are people who are/were in kemmer and therefore are/were gendered. Gethenians are not programmed or raised to make these mistakes, because to them, it's the norm. In fact, they literally call permanently gendered people "perverts", since the ability to er 'mate' at any given time is seen as foreign and rather repugnant. All told, I think Le Guin successful caused her readers to look at and question the sexist culture we live in. Gethen literally has never had a war. Ever. Well so far at least... Coming from Terra, I'm just as baffled as Genly, and that's actually really sad if you think about it. What do you think says about the world we live in?
Though we have a wide variety of cultures on Terra, the most immediate difference between our cultures and the cultures on Gethen revolves around gender. On Terra, one's sex is the physiological characteristics that define men and women, and this remains universal to all cultures. However, one's gender refers to one's sense of oneself as male, female, or nonbinary, and with these labels comes various gender roles that vary from culture to culture. Whereas, Gethenians have neither sex nor gender unless amidst kemmer. The process of kemmer doesn't allow prejudice or bias from nature or man. Notice when I use the word "man". Although the word is used to label humans, regardless of sex or age, chances are you are picturing an adult male. It's just how we are programmed on Terra. Now Genly, being from Hain (also known as Davenant, the ascendant of Terra) is programmed the same way. So when people use words like "man, he, him, his, brother", it's easy to forget that they're genderless. Several times Genly associates people as male or female because of their expressions or physical features that are stereotypical for that specific gender. The only exception to this are the words "mother" and "father" because these are people who are/were in kemmer and therefore are/were gendered. Gethenians are not programmed or raised to make these mistakes, because to them, it's the norm. In fact, they literally call permanently gendered people "perverts", since the ability to er 'mate' at any given time is seen as foreign and rather repugnant. All told, I think Le Guin successful caused her readers to look at and question the sexist culture we live in. Gethen literally has never had a war. Ever. Well so far at least... Coming from Terra, I'm just as baffled as Genly, and that's actually really sad if you think about it. What do you think says about the world we live in?
Wave 1
Discuss Genly Ai's struggle to see Gethenians as they see themselves. What do Genly Ai's attitudes reveal about the world he comes from?
I believe that Gently has a hard time seeing Gethenians as them selfs because he is pretty much alone and most of the people he meets, ends up being a bad experience. Since he has no one to connect with or someone he could trust, he has a hard time trying to understand them. Especially after Estraven leaves him, as he was the only one there for Gently. Besides that, he comes from the earth where everything and everyone in society has to have a name or belongs to a certain group. So growing up his whole life seeing opposite genders and wars to solve the conflict and then all of the sudden going to the world where everyone is equal, is a little bit mind-boggling.
As far as Gently's attitude, he seems to want to understand and he is filled with curiosity and wonder; however, he gets frustrated for the same reason that he does not understand Gethenians. His loneliness doesn't help either, as he feels like he is being used, in the book he even talks about how he," (Doesn't) want to play, and is used to the volcanic Karhidish tempers by now" (ch, 8 Pg. 105). He is annoyed, and throughout the chapters, he starts to speak more of his mind instead of just being courteous and continuing on with the conversation.
I believe that Gently has a hard time seeing Gethenians as them selfs because he is pretty much alone and most of the people he meets, ends up being a bad experience. Since he has no one to connect with or someone he could trust, he has a hard time trying to understand them. Especially after Estraven leaves him, as he was the only one there for Gently. Besides that, he comes from the earth where everything and everyone in society has to have a name or belongs to a certain group. So growing up his whole life seeing opposite genders and wars to solve the conflict and then all of the sudden going to the world where everyone is equal, is a little bit mind-boggling.
As far as Gently's attitude, he seems to want to understand and he is filled with curiosity and wonder; however, he gets frustrated for the same reason that he does not understand Gethenians. His loneliness doesn't help either, as he feels like he is being used, in the book he even talks about how he," (Doesn't) want to play, and is used to the volcanic Karhidish tempers by now" (ch, 8 Pg. 105). He is annoyed, and throughout the chapters, he starts to speak more of his mind instead of just being courteous and continuing on with the conversation.
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Wave 1: Response/Thoughts
Discuss Genly Ai's struggle to see Gethenians as they see themselves. What do Genly Ai's attitudes reveal about the world he comes from?
Coming from this question I feel that Genly Ai's struggles to see Gethens as they see themselves because where he comes from (earth) in our society we have labels. That's probably why in the book he always has a gender prefrence?(which is always a "he"). It kind of reflects on him of what our society does to others. Organizing one by one into categories. I maybe wrong but it's an opinion. On the other hand his attitude is always sort of questioning. What I mean by that is Genly is always observing the culture on Genthen life, and sort of announcing to him self that there culture is totally different from Terran life (or what I like to call Mid-Guard/Marvel reference). It sort of reveals that humans can be misogynistic, that we are cruel and demanding in different ways. Others can see that in chapter one when Genly is having dinner with Estraven.
Going back in with Genly's struggle I want to maybe address that it might come from him getting use to Karhide. It's almost like a kid entering a new school, or that saying "old habits die hard" you hardly even recognize that your saying or doing things because its a habit. Then his attitude could also be on the way he was raised?(I really don't know by this point I have run out of ideas. This is also my attempt of getting 250 words on a screen.) Then there is this random point I just got in my head right now is that maybe people around him on earth might have influenced his attitude/ struggle and outlook on life.
Thoughts?
Coming from this question I feel that Genly Ai's struggles to see Gethens as they see themselves because where he comes from (earth) in our society we have labels. That's probably why in the book he always has a gender prefrence?(which is always a "he"). It kind of reflects on him of what our society does to others. Organizing one by one into categories. I maybe wrong but it's an opinion. On the other hand his attitude is always sort of questioning. What I mean by that is Genly is always observing the culture on Genthen life, and sort of announcing to him self that there culture is totally different from Terran life (or what I like to call Mid-Guard/Marvel reference). It sort of reveals that humans can be misogynistic, that we are cruel and demanding in different ways. Others can see that in chapter one when Genly is having dinner with Estraven.
Going back in with Genly's struggle I want to maybe address that it might come from him getting use to Karhide. It's almost like a kid entering a new school, or that saying "old habits die hard" you hardly even recognize that your saying or doing things because its a habit. Then his attitude could also be on the way he was raised?(I really don't know by this point I have run out of ideas. This is also my attempt of getting 250 words on a screen.) Then there is this random point I just got in my head right now is that maybe people around him on earth might have influenced his attitude/ struggle and outlook on life.
Thoughts?
[KC]: LHoD WAVE ONE Discussion Question
WAVE ONE:
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.
Wave 1 responders, you have until 6:00 pm Monday, January 23th to post your response to this question. All other students in the class may comment on any of the LHoD posts at any time.
Who shall post:
Remember, anyone can comment on these posts. The total requirement for this novel is ONE blog post and TWO comments, and as always, I hope some students will EXCEED EXPECTATIONS and go ABOVE AND BEYOND this 1:2 minimum requirement.
Discuss Genly Ai's struggle to see Gethenians as they see themselves. What do Genly Ai's attitudes reveal about the world he comes from?
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.
Wave 1 responders, you have until 6:00 pm Monday, January 23th to post your response to this question. All other students in the class may comment on any of the LHoD posts at any time.
Who shall post:
Luke Araiza, Hayley Barajas, Gio Barreta Sosa, Niko Billew, Robert Camberos, Suelen Castillon, Daniel Delgado, Joey Enzmann, Karen Espitia, Bahman Farihi, Caitlin Fisher, Jimmy Flores
Remember, anyone can comment on these posts. The total requirement for this novel is ONE blog post and TWO comments, and as always, I hope some students will EXCEED EXPECTATIONS and go ABOVE AND BEYOND this 1:2 minimum requirement.
[KC]: LHoD Blog Instructions ...
Hi students! Here's the formalized posting for this unit on the blog ...
Each wave of blogging will involve responding to a thought- provoking question that I will post to the blog related to LHoD. The students assigned to that group are expected to respond before the deadline, which will be posted along with the question. Everyone else is expected to comment twice over the entire blogging period for this unit.
Here are the deadlines:
The first question--the one that Wave 1 participants will be expected to respond to--will be posted to the class blog by Tuesday afternoon, January 17th. Wave 1 responders will be required to post their responses by Monday, January 23rd.
The second question--the one that Wave 2 participants will be expected to respond to--will be posted to the class blog on Tuesday, January 24th. Wave 2 responders will be required to post their responses by Monday, January 30th.
The third question--the one that Wave 3 participants will be expected to respond to--will be posted to the class blog on Tuesday, January 31st. Wave 3 responders will be required to post their responses by Monday, February 6th.
When it is not currently your wave, you should be reading responses and commenting along the way.
Wave 1 Participants:
Luke Araiza, Hayley Barajas, Gio Barreta Sosa, Niko Billew, Robert Camberos, Suelen Castillon, Daniel Delgado, Joey Enzmann, Karen Espitia, Bahman Farihi, Caitlin Fisher, Jimmy Flores
Wave 2 Participants:
Jennifer Garcia, Samantha Guerrero, Ryan Hamilton, Elizabeth Kearney, Peter Kerlagon, Bryan Le, Kenny Luna, Emanuel Martin, Devin McAlister, Nick Moore, Samantha Morris, Uche Nlemuwa
Wave 3 Participants:
Keith Pascual, Miracle Richards, Astrid Rivas, Daniel Salazar, Josh Salgado, Jada Simms, Kyle Small, Tena Spoolstra, Sarah Ssentongo, Miranda Tedsen, Jenna Yeaman
Keith Pascual, Miracle Richards, Astrid Rivas, Daniel Salazar, Josh Salgado, Jada Simms, Kyle Small, Tena Spoolstra, Sarah Ssentongo, Miranda Tedsen, Jenna Yeaman
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