The Left Hand of Darkness :: Left Hand of Darkness Essays

The Left Hand of Darkness      Although the author of The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin discussed in the introduction that this book is not extrapolative or a prediction of future, the plots in the book are extraporative to some extent.   Since the story takes place in the past, Ekumenical Year 1490-97, this book is different from other science fictions which the stories take place in the future.   However, the issues that the author deal with in the book are a prediction of the future; it can happen.   Guin also claimed that "if I could have said it non-metaphorically, I would not have written all these words, this novel."   Her metaphoric settings and words confuse whether or not our world is natural.      Since Guin set the story in the past with extraordinary imagination, it was very hard to get into her world from the first chapter, Winter, Hainsh Cycle 93, Ekumenical Year 1490-97.   In the first chapter, the way that Guin introduces the story pulling the readers in mysterious or mythic worlds even beyond any imaginative worlds.   She explains her imaginative worlds in detail every once in a while yet it is not easy to share and to understand her worlds.   The main reason might be the story takes place in the past instead of 'future.'   We normally perceive a mythic future.   And also, we think that we can not change our history.      The author of Utopian and Science Fiction by Women: Worlds of Difference, Naomi Jacobs pointed out that Guin's theme is gender differences and sexuality in the frozen landscape.   In the story, Gethen describes the setting as a place of gender freedom.   Gender issues are sensitive issues in our culture and will remain as it is.   In Guin's imaginative world, men's pregnancy is a natural phenomenon.   This imagination is used in many other books and movies even today.   (For more info, see Jason's paper)   However, Guin's use of the imagination is difficult to share because her imaginative world has already passed.      The theme that Guin discussed in the book was similar to other science fictions.   Death and fear are always the theme in science fiction.   Throughout the story, people died in the frozen landscape and they have fear in their life.