The Nineteenth Day

The Nineteenth Day is about a Gethenian named Berosty who went to the Foretellers to ask a question. His question was "when will I die?" The Foretellers, known for their aggravatingly vague answers, told the man "You will die on Odstreth (the nineteenth day of any month.)" (p. 43). Berosty was extremely upset by the vagueness of this answer so he locked himself in his room and wouldn't come out. His kemmering, Herbor, was also distraught by the answer to this question so he decided to go and ask the Foretellers again when Berosty would die. He didn't have any money so he offered the Foreteller's the only thing he had, his life. The Foretellers usually didn't accept this type of offering but decided to make an exception for this sincere man. Herbor asked, "how long will Berosty live?" The Foretellers answered saying "Longer than Herbor." So Herbor, being the humble man he was, accepted this answer and went back to tell Berosty. Berosty was even more upset with this answer and in his rage killed Herbor. Berosty hung himself on the 19th a month after the incident.

The Foretellers remind me of the Oracle of Delphi in Greek mythology, telling people their supposed fortunes and paths, which doomed most people to complete the self fulfilling prophecy. Just like the Oracles in Greek Mythology, The Foretellers are where desperate people go to have their questions answered and most people are disappointed by the answer which forces them to think, inadvertently giving them the answer they need instead of the answer they originally wanted. I think this affected the Gethenian culture the same way it affected the Greeks. Some questions aren't meant to be answered. With that type of thinking you're less likely to be obsessed by frivolous things and have a more relaxed disposition because you're able to accept what comes your way when it comes.