When reading The Left Hand of Darkness just like Genly Ai, we are attempting to fully understand the Gethenians and their way of life. The Gethenians live in a gender less society where they only receive a gender when they are in the reproductive state of kemmer. Genly Ai is in both a culture shock and biological shock with both the bipolar weather and the fact that there are no genders. Which is why Genly's character is extremely realistic when facing this new planet, it would be a struggle for anyone to be thrown into an androgynous society. Although, Genly has a little trouble accepting the fact that he is what is seen as different on their planet. Genly can be somewhat close minded as he views the Gethenians as being different themselves and doesn't understand why he is often referred to as a "pervert". It seems that Genly's home had an ideal state of living and didn't believe that others have a different way of life. I don't think Genly knew it was even scientifically possible that one could be bred without a gender. Genly can't comprehend what exactly is going on in the planet and with the people around him.
While reading I have found it a little difficult to say it's a gender less society due to references in the book such as "king" or "brothers" it seems that it is more of a man's world than a neutral society.
It's true, in a sense we are like Genly Ai feeling confused about the Gethenian culture and along with Genly we are trying to learn and understand their ways and realize that they are people as us.
ReplyDeleteIt's true, in a sense we are like Genly Ai feeling confused about the Gethenian culture and along with Genly we are trying to learn and understand their ways and realize that they are people as us.
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