Foreshadowing

Myths and storytelling play a huge role in Gethenian society like in all societies.  The author purposely locates the myths in this order to either foreshadow or serve as an explanation. Although myths are traditional and not always true events, they always give the listeners of these stories a lesson and of sense of truth that stick with them and are passed down from generation to generation.

In chapter four of The Left Hand of Darkness, another kemmering couple is introduced, Berosty and Herber.  Because Berosty is outraged at his “unanswered” question regarding the date of his death, Herber chooses to find the answer for him and selflessly suggests he pays the Foretellers with his own life.  Herber goes back to Berosty with an answer Berosty does not approve of which leads him to kill Herbor and eventually himself.  

These two vowed love and kemmering but it was broken by death because of Berosty’s eagerness to know an answer that he wouldn’t have been able to do anything about in the first place. It makes me think of how we all want answers regarding our future, but what would we even do with them? Knowing would alter all your choices and you would live your life by that answer that was given to you trying to avoid it or trying to keep it.  In chapter five, Faxe warns Genly that they practice foretelling to “exhibit the perfect uselessness of knowing the answer to the wrong question” meaning that most of the questions asked are vague or asked incorrectly and don’t bring the right answer (that is why kings don’t use foretelling to determine their choices).  Faxe and Genly ultimately agree that death is the only “predictable and inevitable” thing in our lives. These myths, especially the Place in the Blizzard and The Nineteenth Day, might be foreshadowing the death of either Estraven or Genly, because of the recurring themes of vowing kemmering for life (by love) and death.