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Sunday, January 29, 2017
Cold Isolation
Throughout the novel, we see Genley feeling like he doesn't belong, which leads to this sense of loneliness and isolation. He doesn't look like the people of Winter, he doesn't quite understand the way gender (or the lack thereof) works in their world, etc. Plus, Genley is always cold. The people of Winter are obviously acclimated to the harsh weather conditions of their planet, but, after two years of being on Winter, Genley is still not used to the cold. The constant extreme cold weather is just one more thing that separates him from the people of Winter, which leaves him feeling isolated and alone. The weather is definitely a factor that keeps him from meeting his goal of uniting his world with theirs. As I continue to read this book, more and more differences seem to appear between Genley and Gethenians, pushing them farther away from each other, and I wonder: How can two completely different worlds come together as one?
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I’ve been thinking about this too as I continue to read. Given the many differences, is Genly going to be able to connect with the Gethenians enough to persuade them to join the Ekumen? With the gender differences and his cold related isolation, it’s not very surprising that he hasn’t made much progress, even after two years. However, it was interesting to note in chapter 16, Estraven discusses feelings of loneliness. Perhaps they will be able to connect over feelings of similar isolation.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting thought as to how Genley is going to convince Gethen to join the Ekumen when their differences keep causing shifts between them. And Brooke brings up a good point about whether Genley and Estraven will talk about their feelings of loneliness together later in the story. Especially Estraven has been exiled from his own country and the Orgota, more or less, pity him but do not really wish for him to be in their country.
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