Left Hand of Darkness Ursula

Left Hand of Darkness

Ursula LeGuin's the Left Hand of Darkness critiques commonly-held stereotypes and assumptions related to human gender. Based on the field notes by the Ekumenical investigator in Chapter Seven, gendered humans almost universally feel threatened and definitely disturbed by androgyny. Because gender can be such an integral aspect of social relationship and psychological reality, characters in the novel relate with difficulty. Encountering androgyny threatens preconceived notions of social norms and cuts into the very fabric of an individual's identity. The sense of threat a gendered human being feels when encountering androgyny is dealt with thoroughly in the Left Hand of Darkness. Especially in Chapter Seven of the novel, "The Question of Sex," LeGuin explores the ways that the female investigator perceives the unique Gethenian culture and physiology. The investigator's notes therefore add a counterpart to Genly's male-based experiences. This chapter describes the deeply-rooted prejudices that most gendered humans hold toward androgynous beings. Such prejudices are treated deftly throughout the novel, as Genly is forced to overcome his ingrained beliefs about masculinity and femininity. Based on the tone of the novel and of the specific interactions between Genly and Estraven, LeGuin portrays androgyny as a powerful reminder of the arbitrariness of gender-based social roles and norms. Gethenian sexuality, and the lack of relevance of gender in either social or psychological constructs, can also illustrate the weaknesses inherent in a gendered human society.

The investigator is appalled at the Gethenian lack of gender for several, largely spurious, reasons. First, he notes that "Anyone can turn his hand to anything," which eliminates gender role differentiation. The absence of gender role differentiation means for Ong Tot Oppong that "nobody is quite so free as a free male anywhere else," (93). Therefore, the investigator unwittingly admits that the Gethenian ambisexuality can create egalitarianism. The investigator also admits that some aspects of Gethenian socialization might be psychologically beneficial, such as the lack of Freudian-like psycho-sexual complexes and the lack of potential for rape. Most notably, the investigator observes one of the main themes of the Left Hand of Darkness: the limitations of a dualistic worldview. The division of the world into binary opposites, and ascribing those binary opposites to two halves of the human race, can lead to some negative consequences. Therefore, although Gethenian androgyny feels threatening or frightening at first, it is ultimately shown to be beneficial to the collective and individual consciousnesses.