The Left Hand of Darkness
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| The Left Hand of Darkness | |
|---|---|
 Cover of first edition paperback |
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| Author | Ursula K. Le Guin |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Hainish Cycle |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Ace Books |
| Publication date | 1969 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover & Paperback) |
| Pages | 304 pp |
| ISBN | 1857230744 |
| OCLC Number | 22330727 |
The Left Hand of Darkness is a science fiction novel by Ursula K. Le Guin, first published in 1969.
The book is one of the first major works of feminist science fiction and is one in a series of books by Le Guin all set in the fictional Hainish universe. It won the 1969 Nebula[1] and 1970 Hugo[2] awards. Plans for a feature film and video game based on the books were announced by Phobos Entertainment Holdings in 2004,[3] but appear to have since stalled.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
The Left Hand of Darkness is the account of the efforts of a man named Genly Ai, a representative from a galactic federation of worlds (the Ekumen), who seeks to bring the world of Gethen into that society.
The backstory to Le Guin's Hainish cycle is founded in the concept of the expansion of human culture and colonies through the galaxy (not from Earth but from the ancient mother-world of Hain/Davenant), thanks to the development of near-light-speed travel, which in turns leads to the rise and eventual collapse of a Galactic Empire. Following the demise of the empire (tens of thousands of years before the present), many outlying colonies like Gethen become isolated, losing any record or social memory of their origin in Hainish culture. Eventually, a new and more egalitarian social order, the Ekumen arises, due to the gradual rediscovery of lost technologies, and begins to reach out to the former outposts of the Hainish expansion, all of which have 'human' inhabitants, though some vary greatly in appearance and culture from Terran (or Hainish) norms. In an effort to minimise the effects of culture shock, Ekumen policy dictates that newly-rediscovered worlds should first be secretly observed and then approached by a roving individual envoy, the First Mobile. Once contact has been successfully established and the new world agrees to join the Ekumen, the First Mobile is replaced by a permanent mission, led by a Stabile.
The inhabitants of Gethen are sequentially hermaphroditic humans; for twenty-four days of each twenty-six day lunar cycle they are sexually latent androgynes, and for the remaining two days (kemmer) are male or female, as determined by pheromonal negotiation with an interested sexual partner. Thus each individual can both sire and bear children. It is hypothesised by the first representatives of the Ekumen to explore Gethen that their unique physiology arose from a genetic-modification experiment by the ancient Hainish.
Gethen is an extremely harsh planet, dubbed "Winter" by the Ekumenical observers, as it is undergoing an ice age that has lasted for all its recorded history. It is at the outer limit of survival for human or indeed any complex life-forms. Its level of technology is roughly equivalent to that of early 20th century Earth, but with some anomalous differences: although no forms of air transport (dirigibles or airplanes) have been invented and the most advanced form of communication is radio, the Gethenians have developed relatively advanced sonic weapons. It is implied that the Gethenians have never invented aerial transport because their world has no indigenous life-forms which can fly, the possibility being thus literally unimaginable to them.
Gethen has four or five major nation states, of which two feature prominently: Karhide and Orgoreyn. A notable feature of Gethen's history is that its nation states have never gone to war; indeed, no Gethenian language has a word for the concept. Genly and the Ekumenical observers speculate that the harsh climate, the androgynous nature of the inhabitants, or other factors could account for the absence of war. Shortly after introduction of the main characters however, it is revealed that the two nations may be on the brink of war (a possibilty which is being actively promoted by certain power-hungry factions in both nations) over a disputed area, Sinoth Valley.
A unique phenomenon on Gethen is "Foretelling". Practised in the more traditional regions of Karhide, Foretelling allows a group of adepts of the extremely ancient 'Handdara' tradition, led by a "Weaver," to go into a trance and correctly answer any question about the future (the 'domestification of hunch', as Genly calls it). Fascinated by this phenomenon, Genly asks a group of Foretellers whether Gethen will be a member of the Ekumen in five years. They answer in the affirmative. Their Weaver, Faxe, warns Genly that the purpose of Foretelling is to demonstrate the futility of knowing the right answer to the wrong question.
Genly, like other envoys of the Ekumen, is capable of "mindspeak," a form of telepathy. Gethenians are capable of mindspeak but have not discovered it, though the ability seems to be related to Foretelling.
[edit] Synopsis
[edit] Karhide
The story opens in the feudal kingdom of Karhide, where the two primary characters, Genly Ai, a representative of the benevolent information-exchange-driven society of the Ekumen, and Therem Harth rem ir Estraven, the Prime Minister of Karhide, are introduced. In the second part of the book, the story moves to the centralized totalitarian state of Orgoreyn, where Genly is accepted as a means to an end by an Orgota political faction. The differences between these two states and the reactions of Genly, Estraven, and other characters in the book provide insights into the motivations of Genly and the Gethenian characters. During the third part of the book, Estraven saves Genly from imprisonment, and they travel together across the uninhabited ice-sheet that flanks Orgoreyn and Karhide to the north.
At the opening of the story Genly distrusts Estraven, viewing his actions and words as based on political self-interest, and unable to grasp his motives, which are in fact entirely supportive of his mission, whose significance only Estraven has had the vision to grasp. Shortly before Genly speaks with the King (insane and paranoid, like all Karhidish kings) about joining the Ekumen, Estraven informs Genly that he is no longer supporting his cause. Genly interprets this as 'feminine' intrigue, a betrayal. In fact, Estraven's own political standing had been jeopardized by opposing the King in an unrelated dispute. Estraven's abandonment of Genly's cause was intended as a protection, as his own fall from favour was imminent. Indeed, the next day, Estraven is proscribed, and must leave the country within three days or face death at the hands of anyone he meets. Genly, dissatisfied with his progress, also leaves the capital, hoping to explore the philosophy and ways of the Handdara, the incredibly ancient native Karhidish religion. Among other things, he meets the foretellers and poses his question about whether Gethen will join the Ekumen. Satisfied that he has seen enough of Karhide, which he believes is too disorganised and faction-ridden to listen to his message, he ultimately leaves for the more 'modern' rival state of Orgoreyn
[edit] Orgoreyn
Estraven has preceded Genly in Orgoreyn and has encouraged one of the political factions that is out of power to support Genly's cause. When Genly first arrives in Orgoreyn, he is pleased with the state of the country, believing it less backwards than Karhide and more ready to accept the Ekumen. Gradually as Genly stays in Orgoreyn, he begins to feel as if he is not seeing everything, as if what he is seeing is a dishonest representation. Genly becomes a liability to the political factions that have been sheltering him up to this point in Orgoreyn. For their own political well-being, they give Genly up to a faction less well-disposed to Genly, the Sarf, and Genly is sent to a Gulag-like prison work farm, where he reacts badly to the "truth-serum" drugs he is given by the guards. He becomes weaker and weaker, and his death is imminent.
[edit] Completion
Estraven uses all his wits to obtain winter survival supplies and information on the Envoy's fate, and rescues Genly from the prison camp to which he has been condemned. Genly is astonished that Estraven has done this for him in the face of his open distrust, but finally realises the truth: that he has trusted everyone but the one person who has consistently supported his mission. They decide that they must leave Orgoreyn, but must not encounter any inhabitants since they lack the required identity papers in a paranoid nation where 'the inspector' is ubiquitous. They decide to travel across the northern ice-sheet from Orgoreyn into Karhide, an 800-mile journey that will take them, by Estraven's estimate, over three months. During their journey across the ice, Estraven and Genly grow to be intimate friends and a strong bond of love grows between them. Shortly after they arrive in Karhide, Estraven is shot and dies by agents of his political enemies. Genly is taken to the King, who at this point is ready to join the Ekumen.
[edit] Relationships
The relationship between the two main characters is complex. Estraven sees Genly's mission as a path to a better future, but Estraven also likes Genly as a person. On the other hand, Genly mistrusts Estraven for some time. During the ice crossing, they become true friends by facing hardship and danger together.
Genly is a male. Even though Gethenians are neither male nor female, Genly cannot help thinking of Estraven, a decisive and forceful politician, as a man. Nevertheless, Estraven becomes totally female during his kemmer period during the crossing of the glacier. The thought of having sexual relations with Estraven at this point is out of the question; sensing this, Estraven with difficulty represses his powerful sexual feelings until his kemmer is over. There is a previous sexual episode during the transport from the Orgoreyn capital to the "voluntary farms" to which Genly is sentence, as a young Orgota Gethenian enters kemmer and is attracted to the (from the Gethenian point of view) blatanly masculine Genly. Genly however avoids this person's sexual advances. Estraven is celibate at the time of the story, remembering past sorrows and avoiding sex with Gethenians who offer it. To avoid this awkwardness, Estraven tries to minimize contact with Genly when he enters kemmer while the two are alone on the ice.
The novel is only in part about sex and gender; other themes are also significant. For instance, neither Genly nor Estraven engage in violence during the course of their adventures. Estraven is definitely ready to do so, contemplating violence when in need of a boat that someone else has. But in practice the need never arises. Estraven later does commit theft (by Gethenian or at least Karhidish moral standards, a vile and shameful crime) by stealing an unoccupied boat and, later, supplies for the trip across the Ice, but never engages in physical violence. Genly as an Envoy is required to come alone and unarmed, but it is not said that he can't fight using local weapons. He is never in a situation where there would be any sense or advantage in doing so. This careful attitude towards characters' use of personal violence is typical of Le Guin's science fiction from this book onwards.
Genly suspects that Estraven's death was essentially suicide, the ultimate sacrifice to help Genly and his mission. Estraven must have known that, although Genly would be safe in Karhide, he would still be under a death sentence in Karhide and (after helping Genly escape from the Orgota 'gulag') now under a death sentence in Orgoreyn too. While Genly sees suicide as a valid individual choice, he feels guilty that it may have been for his benefit. Suicide is also regarded as the most serious of all crimes by the Karhiders, so its likely use by Estraven would have been received differently in Karhidish culture.
[edit] Background
Throughout the novel, 'native' myths and legends are interspersed, illuminating the beliefs and psychology of the Gethenians and Estraven's unspoken past. One story discusses the place inside the storm, a quiet haven within a blizzard. Another discusses the roots of the Yomeshta cult (the 'official', organised religion of Orgoreyn, much younger than, but ultimately derived from, the immensely ancient Handdara philosophy/religion). One is an ancient Orgota creation myth. A fourth discusses what a traitor is (the story concerns an ancestor of Estraven).
The inhabitants of Gethen are sequentially hermaphroditic humans; for twenty-four days (somer) of each twenty-six day lunar cycle, they are sexually latent androgynes; and for the remaining two days (kemmer), they are male or female, as determined by pheromonal negotiation with an interested sex partner. Thus each individual can both sire and bear children. Throughout the novel Gethenians are described as 'he,' whatever their role in kemmer. This was also the case in Le Guin's pre-Left hand of Darkness short story Winter's King when it was originally published; but in the interests of equity, when it was republished it in the collection The Wind's Twelve Quarters, it was rewritten so that all Gethenians are referred to as 'she'.
Physically, the Gethenians are mostly brown-skinned, but within a wide compass of variations. They do not have beards, but their breasts are only a little larger than those of human males. The Envoy from Earth is darker-skinned (and taller) than most Gethenians, but can pass for a native while wearing indigenous clothing: the same was true of earlier observers who hid their identity. Genly's beard has been depilated, but in fact some Gethenians do have face- and body-hair.
It is suggested that the Gethenians were genetically engineered for hermaphroditism long ago by the original Hainish civilization, who planted colonies on many worlds, including Earth. That culture collapsed, and the Ekumen has only limited knowledge of the actions and motivations of their predecessors and their former colonies. The Gethenians might have been engineered to maximize reproductive success on the harsh glaciated world of Gethen, in an attempt to eliminate war, or as a social experiment.
Le Guin developed this idea out of a desire to explore what remained basic to human nature when biological gender was no longer a factor. The Left Hand of Darkness is a significant milestone in the increasing sophistication of the treatment of sex in science fiction that developed in the late 1960s and 1970s.
[edit] Themes
[edit] Gender
At first, a large part of the novel seems to be an exploration of a neuter society—a society in which sexual difference plays no role, although love and jealousy remain. The world of Gethen has no history of war, but Le Guin has Genly Ai's narration state that the exact reason for this is unresolved. It could be due to the Gethenians' unique biology (the absence of a deep sense of duality implied by strong gender divisions may cause the Gethenians to lack a necessary component of nationalism), or it could simply be a side effect of the planet's harsh climate, limiting warfare to small skirmishes by simple economics.
Also related is the far slower pace of technological development. The Gethenians are mentioned as having gone through a very slow-paced and gradual industrialization, with many semi-feudal social institutions left intact, rather than the breakneck industrial revolution which Earth experienced since the 18th Century. In one episode, it is specifically mentioned that a particular type of truck has been in use for centuries, almost unchanged, and that Gethenians feel no special need to improve on it and develop a more advanced model. Like the above, this may be related to the absence of a sharp male/female dichotomy, or may simply be a side-effect of Gethen's meager natural resources, which are deficient not only in pure raw materials, but also in certain forms of inspiration (Genly Ai speculates at one point that the Gethenians' failure to invent the airplane may be due to the planet's lack of birds).
In fact, Le Guin examines gender-related questions surprisingly little, and provides even less in the way of answers. As the novel focuses instead on in-depth examination of curiously toned-down and blended distortions of subjects like Feudalism and Communism, Zen-like eastern mysticism and Christianity, this may in fact be a very subtle answer to the question of gender: "It's not important".
[edit] Politics
Gethenians in Karhide do possess an elaborate system of social prestige called shifgrethor, in which individuals jockey for position by subtle maneuvering — the exact kind of social conflict seen in homogeneous groups (compare office politics). The demonization of others is artificial and temporary; alliances shift easily, and prevailing cultural mores are determined and protected by the next clearest division between groups - geography.
Nations exist, and different places have different societies, but they blend at the edges. Low level raiding of indeterminate value preserves a sense of hostility and division that is useful for internal political purposes, but there is little real desire to actually conquer another nation. Indeed, the concept of full-scale war is unknown to Gethenian societies. But it seems possible that Gethen is now drifting towards a war between Karhide and Orgoreyn.
[edit] Religion
The book features two major religions: the Handdara, an informal system reminiscent of Taoism and Zen, and the Yomeshta or Meshe's cult, a close-to-monotheistic religion based on the idea of absolute knowledge of the entirety of time attained in one visionary instant by Meshe, originally a Foreteller of the Handdara, when attempting to answer the question: 'What is the meaning of life?'. The Handdara is much more ancient and dominates in Karhide, while Yomesh is the official religion in Orgoreyn. The difference between them underlies political distinctions between the countries and cultural distinctions between their inhabitants. Estraven is an adept of the Handdara, which underpins many of his actions.
[edit] Duty
Both Genly and Estraven face continuous difficulties when ties of loyalty contradict. Both are ready to sacrifice much to see Gethen join the Ekumen: Genly thinks he is entitled to sacrifice personal ties to this end. Both also are ready to risk their own lives, thinking that dying doesn't much matter if some good end is obtained.
[edit] Communication and Understanding
Genly is on Gethen to communicate the desire of the Ekumen to invite Gethen to join it. The invitation is because the Ekumen wants to communicate with Gethen -- exchange information, achieve some understanding. Gethen is seventeen light years from the nearest planet of the Ekumen, so most trade would be impractical. The envoy has trouble communicating with the Gethenians, partly because he doesn't understand shifgrethor, nor what their sexual system means, but also because most of the Gethenians don't believe what he says about his mission. He can communicate in real time with the Ekumen, using his ansible. In an attempt to prove that he is, indeed, an envoy from other civilizations, King Argaven asks him to ask his off-planet correspondents what makes a person a traitor. Although the message is received, and answered, Argaven is not satisfied with the answer.
During Foretelling, a ritual of answering questions about the future, the Foretellers communicate in a deep and mystical way. Genly tries, with Faxe, the Weaver of the Foretellers, and later with Estraven, to engage in mindspeak, in part because he misses doing so, and in part because it is not possible to lie in mindspeak. He has some success with Estraven. Indeed, when Estraven finally hears Genly's mindspeak for the first time, he is shocked and puzzled that Genly's mindspeak voice is the voice of Estraven's dead sibling. This phenomenon is never explained. In the end, Genly gets what he wants: Gethen will join the Ekumen. The Foretellers were correct as always. However, we are left with the suspicion that Genly got the right answer to the wrong question. Perhaps Genly should have been more concerned about his relationship with Estraven than with the political concerns of the Ekumen.
[edit] Translations
- Bulgarian: "Лявата ръка на мрака", Galaktika, 1980, Bard, 2006.
- Catalan: "La Mà Esquerra de la Foscor", 1985, 1997.
- Chinese (Simplified): "黑暗的左手", 2009.
- Chinese (Traditional): "黑暗的左手", 2004.
- Croatian: "Lijeva ruka tame", 2004 (ISBN 953-203-182-0).
- Czech: "Levá ruka tmy".
- Danish: "Mørkets venstre hånd".
- Dutch: "Duisters linkerhand".
- Estonian: "Pimeduse pahem käsi".
- Finnish: Pimeyden vasen käsi
- French: "La Main gauche de la nuit".
- German: "Die linke Hand der Dunkelheit", also known as Winterplanet (Heyne-Verlag paperback edition, translated by Gisela Stege).
- Greek: "Το αριστερό χέρι του Σκότους".
- Hebrew: "מעבר לעלטה" and later as "צד שמאל של החושך".
- Hungarian: "A sötétség balkeze", 1979 (ISBN 963 211 337 3).
- Italian: "La mano sinistra delle tenebre"
- Japanese: "闇の左手" (ISBN 978-4150102524)
- Korean: "어둠의 왼손" 1995, 2002.
- Polish: "Lewa ręka ciemności".
- Portuguese: "A Mão Esquerda da Escuridão".
- Romanian: "Mâna stângă a întunericului".
- Russian: "Левая рука Тьмы", 1991, 1992, 1993, 1999, 2006.
- Serbian: "Leva ruka tame".
- Spanish: "La Mano Izquierda de la Oscuridad".
- Swedish: "Mörkrets vänstra hand"
- Turkish: "Karanlığın Sol Eli"
[edit] See also
- Postgenderism
- Gethen - a description of the planet including a linked map
- Winter's King, a loosely connected short story about Gethenians.
- The Birthday of the World - another short story collection including Coming of Age in Karhide, an unconnected story about Gethenians.
[edit] References
- ^ "1969 Award Winners & Nominees". Worlds Without End. http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=1969. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
- ^ "1970 Award Winners & Nominees". Worlds Without End. http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=1970. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
- ^ http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117914873.html?categoryid=1079&cs=1. Retrieved on 27 November 2007.
[edit] External links
- The Left Hand of Darkness publication history at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- Author's introduction to The Left Hand of Darkness
- Audio review and discussion of The Left Hand of Darkness at The Science Fiction Book Review Podcast
- Analysis of Ursula K. LeGuin's The Left Hand Of Darkness
- Review of the novel in The Future Fire
- The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin, reviewed by Ted Gioia (Conceptual Fiction)
- Scifi.com's review of the novel
- The Left Hand of Darkness at Worlds Without End
| Awards and achievements | ||
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| Preceded by Rite of Passage by Alexei Panshin |
Nebula Award for Best Novel 1969 |
Succeeded by Ringworld by Larry Niven |
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