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.
... sets in the book is optimistic. Kerman enforces the idea that things happen for a reason, and a person will learn and benefit from good or bad things happening in his or her life.
What can you predict about the story from the back and front cover of the book?
as she grows up during World War II in a Japanese internment camp. Along with
2. Here, she explains the way she bases her characters from and how she begins to write a story with her creative storytelling brain.
Upon finishing the novel, The Left Hand of Darkness, by Ursula K. Le Guin, what stands out the most in my mind is the strange and complex Gethenian society. There are many aspects, some of which we are accustomed to, and others we would never consider a part of our society. There are things we have never heard of, like kemmer and shifgrethor. As well things every society should have like politics and human interaction. Politics are an important part of the Gethenian society. The political structure varies from country to country, the main two countries being Erhenrang and Orgoreyn. Erhenrang has one supreme ruler, King Argaven, and the equivalent of a prime minister, whereas Orgoreyn, is ruled by a group of thirty-three commensals. Both political structures seem to only have a loose authority over their various domains, and both are concerned with what the other is doing, but neither one wants to be overshadowed. They are aware of what is going on in the opposite government, but only release to the public what they want to have known. That is, whatever makes them look better and the other look much worse.
Odysseus is a hero because he acts courageously while facing the many challenges he encounters. Odysseus’s shows great bravery when he engages in physical challenges. Odysseus daringly fights against the suitors, while significantly outnumbered: “For I must tell you this is no affair / of ten or even twice ten men, but scores, throngs of them” (XVI, 291 – 293). Even though Odysseus is facing hundreds of men, his bravery keeps him confident that he can win the battle. Odysseus must use his physical strength when Poseidon punishes him with turbulent waves: “Odysseus’s knees grew slack, his heart / sickened, and he said within himself / Rag of man that I am, is this the end of me?” (V, 307 – 309). Odysseus is exhausted from the torrential sea, yet refuses to give up because of enormous courage and his unwillingness to surrender. Odysseus must also cope with emotional challenges throughout his journey. His emotions are tested when he ventures to the underworld, Hades, and must confront his greatest fear, death: “From every side they came and sought the pit / with rustling cries; and I grew sick with fear. / But presently I gave command to my officers” (XI, 45 -47). Although Odysseus is deeply fearful when he comes face to face with the dead, his mental f...
Pamela Ronald, a plant geneticist, presented a Ted Talk “The case for engineering our food”, Ronald points out that engineered genetics for our plants is not harmful, yet better for our environment and health. “Now, genetic modification is not new; virtually everything we eat has been genetically modified in some manner”(Ronald).
...nd deceit, he respected and honored the gods, and he respected his crew as well. Odysseus proved himself a great man by becoming humble but still retaining the amazing qualities that he already had. Overall, Odysseus was a great man capable of many things. He would put his own life on the line to save someone else’s. Putting one’s life on the line to save someone else’s the ultimate sacrifice. It is one that not many people are willing to make. People in this world are selfish and do not want to give of themselves for others. Though Odysseus starts out this way, he certainly did not end up this way. By the end of the epic poem, Odysseus is the picture perfect person. Everyone hopes to achieve this status; by some it has already been done. As a result, the world becomes a better place, and with progressions such as these, it is becoming better every second.
The Odyssey serves as a great example of an ideal that the ancient Greeks valued, the sense of hospitality towards others. Odysseus and his men were “beholden for [the Cyclops’] help, or any gifts [he] give[s]-as custom is to honor strangers” (194-196). Not knowing of the Cyclopean nature, Odysseus pursued for hospitality as it is a Greek practice to greet strangers with gifts. To the Greeks, hospitality was a divine right, whether it was from the fear of Gods or just a simple duty as a human being. The Lotus-Eaters seemed to be a welcoming people, “only offering the sweet Lotus to [Odysseus’] friends” (79). The Lotus-Eaters kindly offered the strangers food without knowing their intentions. The Lotus-Eaters were willing to share their sweet flower, which ended up to be a plant, with their guests. The Greek’s idea of hospitality was a reception to welcome their visitor.
The novel, Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, is literally about Marlow’s journey into the Belgian Congo, but symbolically about the discovery of his heart and soul during his journey, only to find that it is consumed by darkness. He realizes that the man he admired and respected most, is really demonic and that he may be just like him. He is able to come to this realization however, before it takes the best of him.
Chemical advancement in modern science is a contributing factor to “better”, faster, and cheaper food production. Although the ideas of GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms) that scientists thrive for are theoretically beneficial, they are corrupting the natural methods for farming and food that consumers will purchase. Nowadays, around 70% of food has a genetically modified ingredient. What is being consumed in mass quantities across the country barely constitutes as food in some instances. A prime example lies in the tomato. Tomatoes are sold year round in grocery markets nationwide....
Sheldon, Ian. “Food Principles: Regulating Genetically Modified Crops After The 2006 WTO Ruling.” Brown Journal Of World Affairs 14.1 (2007): 121-134.Academic Search Premier. Web. 2 Nov. 2011.
Odysseus from The Odyssey shows that honor is what most heroes valued. Odysseus returns from home and sees the hundred suitors competing to win his wife Penelope. He plans to kill them all along with his son Telemachus. One of the suitors, Eurymachus, apologizes and offers him wine, meat, oxen, bronze, and gold. However, Odysseus says “ ‘Not for the whole treasure of your fathers...would I hold my hand’ ” (22.61-63). This shows honor because he refuses many valuable treasures. In addition, he risks his life by going against a hundred suitors and is implacable in his choice to kill them all. During his journey, he resists many appealing women that tempt him to stay in the name of honor and for his family. Therefore, this shows that Odysseus is honorable, and he can consequently be an example of how older heroes possessed honor. Furthermore, earlier heroes also held bravery as a trait. [Jeffrey
In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, evil is portrayed through various types of situations, characters and symbols. Over the course of time, these boys demonstrate elements of human nature beyond civilized human beings as they are put in a society and environment where there are no rules or civilization set in place. Golding shows that human nature, when free from the constraints of society, draws people away from common sense into savagery. His arguments state that human beings are savage by nature, and are moved by urges toward brutality and dominance over others. William Golding shows that humans, when taken away from there society, hide the potential to be evil which slowly releases from within. The use of characterization, symbolism, and character development are literary devices that Golding uses in Lord of the Flies to illustrate that all humans are inherently evil.
Mankind lives in a physical, tangible, material world, which is influenced by the invisible, spiritual world around us. The present day spiritual world is just as existent as it was nearly two thousand years ago when Lord Jesus walked the earth. The Old and New Testaments reveal to us from time to time, glimpses of this spiritual world. These Testaments provide us with the most factual information regarding Satan. Unfortunately, many have been misinformed and do not thoroughly comprehend Satan’s origin and what his purpose concerning the spiritual and physical world. There is a great need to set the record straight regarding Satan especially in our hour with its present angel craze, channeling and a belief in spirit guides. I chose Satan as the subject of my paper because I am one who does not thoroughly comprehend who he is and what his purpose in both the spiritual and physical world is.