A No-Satisfaction Culture

     Myths are stories used to tell people in society to teach us  lessons in life. These stories relate to culture because it shows the origins of traditions. In one of the chapters there is a story written about a pair of Gethenians who have vowed kemmering to each other. This isn't viral until the end. The story starts off with one of them going to the Foretellers to find out when they're expected to die. The way he framed his question was vague so the answer he got from them was also vague. He drove himself crazy by avoiding the outside world on the day they told him he would die. His kemmer partner was so distraught by his behavior that he also went to the Foretellers in order to help him out. The answer he received was not happily received by his partner. He was so angry at the chance wasted on such a vague question that he eventually killed his partner and then eventually killed himself. 

      By having Foretellers in the society, it gives us the information that Gethenians are searching for answers that will give them knowledge in order to feel safe. I think it ties to the coldness in Gethen and how that contributes to the theme of loneliness and isolation. It goes to show that prophecies are an important part of their society.  This ties into the next chapter as Genly Ai asks a question to a foreteller and the tradition in their culture is to have a ceremony when the answer is given.  This makes me think that foretellers and prophecies are an important part of their societies. In this story the lesson is the people will keep wanting more even if they already got what they wanted. Satisfaction is never really satisfied.