Exploring Human Sexuality In 1969
A man named Ai was sent to Gethen on a ship in the solar orbit,
he was the first mobile who had the ability to mindspeak-
He spends two years in Karhide convincing them to join Ekumen,
as the nation was just about to reach their sanctioned peak.
He met with the Prime Minister Estraven who believes in his mission,
Ai starts to doubt him because of his mannerisms were effeminate-
Estraven was accused of treason for the he handled a dispute,
from there on Ai’s decides to travel to the Handdarrata indefinite.
Ai receives an invitation to Orgota who actually support him,
finding out Estraven is working with the leaders who he doesn’t trust-
Ai is blindsided and arrested being sent to a camp of hard labor,
contracts a debilitating disease and looks like death is a must.
Estraven goes to great lengths to save him and travel back to Karhide,
believing their arrival will force the nation to accept the Ekumen treaty-
Estraven eventually learns the power of the ability to mindspeak,
and they both started to share a loving connection only they could see.
Ai sends a transmission to his ship to come and join them together,
Estraven is killed by guards who border the nation with great might-
Soon Karhide and Orgoreyn agree to join the Ekumen society,
Ai’s mission is finally completed after such a long-battled fight.
They both became affection towards each other throughout the book,
it really makes us think about the truth of love; taking another look.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ambisexuality is one of the major themes of this great novel,
gender is irrelevant in the nations unlike what we see today-
Ai started out more masculine then turns more caring and loving,
finally accepting Estraven’s sexuality as it is different than being gay.
They share an intimate bond that started from ignorance,
some criticized this novel and said homophobia was the main theme-
The hidden message could be that death is a price for forbidden love,
though loving each other should actually be everybody’s dream.
This novel explores human sexuality in the society during the late sixties,
proving even back forty-nine years ago gender roles were wondered about-
Each of us should be understanding of each other’s sexual preferences,
and accept one another without question nor ignorant doubt.
Ursula Le Guin Poetry Contest
Debbie Guzzi
February 27th, 2018
Copyright © Lu Loo | Year Posted 2018
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