Myths

       In The Left Hand of Darkness the chapters involving myths happen to be my favorite ones. They all turned out to be very intriguing because they either gave some insight of what may happen next or helped readers understand the Gethan world a little bit better. The myth "The Nineteenth Day", was the most interesting to read because it introduced the whole concept of foretelling as well as revealing how involved the Gethan culture is with it. Much like Berosty, a lot of people are curious about the day they die…sometimes a little too curious. This is proven when Berosty exclaims "You had a question of the Foretellers, and did not ask them when I am to die, what day, month, year, how many days are left of me—you asked how long? Oh you fool…". (pg.46) Overall, this chapter was interesting but I just found it extremely ironic how their curiosity about their death is a factor that led them to actually dying.

       After I read other myths like "The Place Inside the Blizzard", I realized this what introduced readers to the whole process of kemmering. It also reveals how nobody in this world has a specific gender that will stay the same forever. The author gives us an example of two brothers who end up vowing kemmer as a way to provide readers with a little perspective of how this process proceeds. I believe Ursula K. Le Guin provided these stories to give us a better sense of direction while reading this book.