Winter

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

         The constant cold of Gethen reflects on the theme of isolation and loneliness because that is how things are in reality. Some of the coldest places on earth are also most isolated and deserted. Also, they generally refer to Gethen as winter because of how cold it is there. Another time where they reflected the isolated ways in Gethen are when they talked about the possibility that the whole existence of the Gethenians being a whole isolated experiment being left for dead. The fear of the king and the people of Gethen represent the cold loneliness that Genly feels as he arrives as the first to bring the planet of Gethen to join ekumen in the pursuit for a better and more unified group similar to that of the United Nations. Everyone on the planet is uniquely similar in a way that all the Gethenians show similarities and don't have any authorities like we do here on earth. There are no men or women only sexless being thus creating a more balanced yet sound system. Here Genly is out of a familiar comfort zone and so he is more isolated than the people here on Gethen. It is all sort of a big circle wrapping around the theme of loneliness and isolation. The feeling is cold and harsh and that is what Genly feels here on Gethen. This idea of winter keeps our thoughts wrapped closure and trying to keep warm.