All of the myths and folk tales told in The Left Hand of Darkness act as a portal to Gethen's past. They are a way of demonstrating the kinds of situations people in Gethen can relate to and learn from. Just like people in Earth have established myths from long ago like Native american folktales to Worldwide stories such as Cinderella. However, out of all the folktales written by Le Guin in Left Hand of Darkness, the Nineteenth Day exhibits the biggest insight on what life is like for self aware living creatures.
In Chapter four, Lord Berosty becomes obsessed with having to know the day he will die after going to the fortunetellers and receiving an incomplete answer. After his kemmering, Herbor comes back to him from begging the fortunetellers to tell him how long Berosty has to live, Berosty is overriden with anxiety, anger and ungratefulness from the vague answer. In effect, he murders Herbor and is "kept under lock" where he commits suicide on the nineteenth day.
This anxiety of the day one will die and how long one has left to live is both the strength and weakness of people. Thinking about how much time is left for someone can encourage them to live life to the fullest. Although for others, such as Berosty, the wait is a nightmare. The whole sacrificing life and death concept portrayed in The Nineteenth Day probably implies that someone in The Left hand of Darkness will give themselves up for the well being of another person; just as Herbor was willing to sacrifice his own life for Berosty's happiness.
I couldn't agree more that the curiosity about the day we die is the strength and weakness of people! That was the first thing I realized while reading this myth. The way Berosty died was so weird to me because the obsession of knowing these facts actually led him to his death. That just proves that anxiety can lead someone to do something they shouldn't. Overall, I relate to your perspective.
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