Dispossessed review.
This review will contain spoilers, so
proceed with caution if you care.
Just deciding an approach for this work is
a pain in the ass. Seriously, I just cannot decide. There is just such a wealth
of ideas being explored all in great detail, that I could spend pages just
doing a rundown of the main ones. Which still would not fix my problem, since a
lot of what makes the thematic exploration is how pretty much every concept is
interconnected, is related to others. I could talk about character, but the
dispossessed follows the rare case of personal journey and character
exploration for our protagonist, where you can find a progression and certain
meaning being drawn for all the encounters, the endless varied substantial(and
not so much) experiences with people. How can there be a discussion about
Shevek, our protagonist, without going into detail about his relationship with
Takver, Rulag’s abandonment, Tirin and Bedap friendship? I would have to
describe the entire plot in order to give the sense of who Shevek is. Maybe
what I am feeling is a deeply rooted anxiety found within myself. The deal is,
when you see excellence manifested to this degree, a book, which lends itself
to so much scrutiny of analysis of its qualities, the feeling of not being up
to the task of writing about them is undeniable. The concept of my inadequacies
as an individual, someone that is supposed to critique a book about human
interactions, while never sure of what his own relations really represent, or
if ever managed to truly stablish one. However nothing is simply going to pass,
really leave if I only rest my pen and stop, so without further ado, this is my
dispossessed review.
For starters, forget every preconceived
notion or idea the sci-fi label may give you. There are no sentient robots, no
time machines (sort of) and the space ships appear for only one or two chapters
and barely matter. This is a story about human beings first and foremost. The
various sets of technology being presented only matter on the terms of creating
meaning, informing something about character, psychology the cultures (If you
do not believe me, just look for Ursula Le Guin, the author, usual reaction when
people label her works as sci-fi). What is being attempted here is not a
guesswork of how the future would be like, the focus is on how every technology
affects and informs character. There is varied wealthy of topic being studied,
and all are grounded and serve to say something about human mentality. Take the
detailed descriptions of architecture, while in every other book those would
consist of the meaningless details people call great world building nowadays,
in here, it helps the narrative, shows a lot of the mentality and situation of
both the men, and the society who build and lived in such buildings. They are
in a way about psychological repercussions on the individuals at the center of
it all. By propelling both themes, narrative and character with her world
building, Ursula le Guin achieves some of the most functional attempts at
crafting a fictional world. Instead of having the creating of a fiction world
interrupt and take away from her history, ideas and characters, they complement
each other perfectly. You cannot imagine the personality of anyone in this
tale, outside of the societies they are born into. Take Vae for example, her
overtly exposed sexuality, the way she uses sex as a mean in little power
games, how she displays all the futility and vanity of the rich wife archetypes,
while despising that shallow view. The bitter resentment laying in the core in
regards to Urras’s power structure based on gender. One, which she helps to
reinforce with actions. The connection being character and world is so clear,
she only makes sense, can exist in the setting being created, and the setting
is also shown and built through her, which also tells a lot of the ideas and
topics being explored(which are insanely vast). A perfect union of form and
purpose, and guess what, It could be said the same for lots of other
characters. In effect, having the main ideas so closely tied to character
action, setting, narrative, is what allow the thematic to be way more than
simple lip service to some arbitrary philosophical argument, but something way
more grounded and intricately constructed.
On its journey of deep exploration of the
human condition, the grandest and most important question being made is about
how individuals form connections. You may find the wall motif repeated ad
nauseam in the narrative (usually to great effect though, being evoked with new
contexts) always highlighting the distance between individuals. Be it the real
terrifying wall, splitting the arbitrary border between, two worlds Urras and
Anarres, or the figurative ones, the protagonist’s mother standing on dream
wall, which he can never reach, in light of her early abandonment. The feelings
of only seeing walls everywhere in the situation of never making connections
with others. The task of surpassing the gap, finding the means to truly
communicate and understand is a feat of amazing proportions in this book. Even
the ways, means to do so are object of questioning. Words, languages subject
themselves to such a degree of interpretation, limited by arbitrary cultural signifiers;
you just end up with feeling that have no way to be expressed in any language.
This happens in instances like when facing the truest despair, on the day of
worst separation of your life. Being misunderstood is such a common occurrence
when using such, whatever we say is subject to an enormous degree of interpretation
from people we know nothing of, or really get.
What comes off as a surprise is, how we usually can get just the basics
clear in conversation. This should not be so tough, as our simple status as
humans, growing up in a sort of similar society and environment, should allow
what we share to greatly outweigh our differences. Circumstances feelings, thoughts,
appearances, there is an extensive degree of resemblance between everyone. In
reality, the consciousness of difference, self far outweighs that, though.
Shevek gains at a very young age, the denial, the abandonment when faced with
his mother decision to leave him and his father forever. This amounts to be the
second most important event in the narrative, and dictates a lot of young
Shevek’s personality. By opening up with this particular occurrence, it
displays precisely the potential of being hurt, the rift between the will in
the desire of contact, when opposed by another. In the eyes of this young child,
with no idea of who he is, but which needs to come with terms with the fact the
most important person in his life so far is never coming back. Throughout his youth,
the degree of alienation of the child growing up is only emphasized. By
occurrences such as, facing humiliation in class, finding no one interested,
willing or capable of discussing the same topics and feelings having your
father unable to understand or offer any advice on your situations, all this
sets an image of a Shevek very marked by isolation. Perception of difference
plays a big part. Intellectually Shevek is miles apart from any of his peers,
but this rather than pride or strength is a painful reminder of how different,
isolated he feels in this world. Having no one around, caring or able to follow
his thoughts was maddening, not liberating. The rather passive instance when trying
to reach others also makes complete sense in light of his trauma. He has a
mentality that simply waiting, never trying to reach others is the normal
reaction (after years just desperately waiting for an image of a half
remembered mother) this comes with an awareness and consciousness, maybe he
does not deserve, has any right to ever make this connection. Giving sense and
reason to a low self-esteem, and truly self-deprecating nature, all starting on
the fact, Rulag never came back for him.
The isolation is not actually literal though,
on the institutions and places where he spends his youth and adolescence there
is a variety of people he can speak. Fraternity is the trademark of the odonian
society, there is such a strong social consciousness where every one of them is
part of a group, brothers that always help, coming to very organic view of
society, guided by mutually beneficial actions. When having such a variety of
souls, calling him brother, which would welcome him with open arms whenever he
requested, even still the loneness was unescapable. Their voices were
unreachable, the sounds only adding agony. Possessing the solitude, which does
not go away in the best of circumstances, is hell. Can you imagine the idea of
self this leads? One where you cannot even accept your own humanity, your
awareness of uniqueness and difference is far too grand for that. Closing the
individual in a wall so thick, the mere thought of getting to know somebody is
absurd and preposterous, not even cogitated, for not even coming to the realm
of possibility.
There is a great deal of duality, when
looking the ways human interacts throughout the book. Which manifests in the
differences between of depth in connections.
Shevek dad is someone that is usually always physically there for his
son, always going to his company whenever possible. On a basic, level both
manage to form a bond; he likes his father straightforwardness, having a kind
of reliability in terms of pending personal insecurities. The relation was
mutually beneficial for both, as it was their mean to deal with Rulag’s abandonment,
the feeling of frustration and loneliness, which arose there, while also being
generally enjoyable, and a good time for father and son. However, there lays
the issue, each comes to the other looking to run away from their problems,
finding surface level pleasure. The connection that is born from that can never
go beyond it, an enjoyable but hollow state. Palat never opens up, truly faces
the son, the closest relative he has, in order to talk, complain, share his
everlasting suffering caused by Rulag. Shevek tells literally nothing about
what I wrote above, or can even get relief on his father on terms of a role
model, someone whom he could try to be like. The tragic death of the father not
being shown only briefly mentioned is very representative of the kind of bond;
one that while not pointless (in every instance you can take and learn
something from others in this book) was not determinant, truly meaningful.
When coming to the second, society we are
introduced in Urras, we actually find out Anarres is kind of the ideal place
for human relations (seriously, believe me). At Anarres even at direst of
situations, there is this basic feeling of fraternity, everyone is naturally
predisposed to help, to trust and expect the best of those around them. This is
a society that abolished concepts like property and political power, where no
one really owned or had nothing, and trying to exercise power or dominance over
others was truly fawned upon(even though those ideals were subverted in several
instances in the odonian world). There is this notion that even to just survive
on this wasteland of a moon, the help and perseverance of the group is
absolutely necessary and vital. In Urras, we have this entire logic flipped.
There is just so much, social inequalities, nationalism, gender, political
structures, just so many differences, structures ideals getting between people.
All these culturally constructed ideologies, which only serve to split
humanity, make it harder to see the individuals, the flesh and blood souls that
actually exist and are suffering completely alone. A culture that thrives on
individualism, submitting others for personal gain, and trying to obtain power
on every level. How can you make a sense in this madness, to even get a hold of
yourself, so much less of the person next to you?
Eventually the protagonist finds a path,
not a definitive answer, but a general way, in order to get closer with the
world. In the characters path, dispossessed makes a dichotomy between two ways,
as general guides for living your life. You can follow the pleasure, look for
the pleasure the positive feelings and satisfaction in life, to make those the
guiding principle in your actions. But by doing so, you get lost in an infinite
cycle, of finding pleasure, getting frustrated, dissatisfied with the thing
obtained, the boredom settling in, and the whole thing only accomplishing
diminishing results. Then you restart the same cycle follow another goal of
desire, which can only give momentary satisfaction. Doing this only amount to
half measures, a constant need to self-indulge, to look only for enjoyment in
life, which by our infinite desire, tendency to look for more, and get used to
any current situation, can never bring true joy. Shevek finds another guiding
principle, in following the pain. This is the universal feeling, the whole of
humanity truly is united upon, all of us in deepest corners of our minds, have
this occult painful truth about ourselves. This is ultimately, what makes us
human, the profound desire and suffering we share. It is the core of the individual,
whatever brings true grief, are the matters, which really do matter. Which is
bizarre because those are exactly the topics people never talk about, never on
a casual conversation, discussion it will be brought up, a formal talks would completely shy away from
any such matters. However, those are still the true things worth discussing,
getting worried, and suffering about, the universal pain, which connects all of
humanity. Although using this principle allows for a path filled with strife,
struggle and anguish, there is no way to get lost here, as long as you can
withstand the suffering, the boredom, the rejections, the indifference, all
those negative feelings and memories in the back of the mind. Because these
topics are no longer something to run away from, undesirable truths which
should be avoided at any cost, but gain importance, meaning. By convicting and
facing those feelings, the individual can better known himself, get a true
grasp of what he truly wants, allowing for a greater drive, motivations, for
the self to never get lost in the empty search of indulgence.
So, can I say Shevek achieves self-realization
and peace through the embracing of those ideals? Not really, in fact he comes
to the doors of suicide thorough doing so. In trying to live by the
aforementioned principle, he becomes completely isolated from the world (yes
even more so), as in living alone for his grandiose goals. While harboring all
the pain, the suffering of live onto himself. The closure in regards to the
world is so completely he talks to no one, sees no one, living becomes a matter
of studying physics, lying in bed sleeping, while nothings happens or changes,
the same old routine, the same bubble of alienation every day . There is no
space for anyone through this wall; human relation is barely if ever attempted.
Which only becomes more tragic because, even as the means for an end, the whole
thing just does not work. It is not self-sustainable, the emotional instability
it brings, in having short euphoric moments, followed by a melancholic
depressive states on a constant basis. How could anyone come to support the
loneliness, even strive for something in this state. The end of following the
pain in this case seemed to be to death itself, which he comes very close to enacting.
Yet to get to the bottom of what Dispossessed
has to say on this topic, we have to go beyond the denials diving deeper,
behold the other end of a duality. Which means I can finally start writing
about what is arguably the most important, person in Shevek`s life, and
narrative, Takver. Her arrival literally changes everything, their first two
encounters are off hand marked by each offering something intrinsically
important, fundamental to the others existence. On their first meeting, Shevek offers the
ideals, I wrote down in the paragraph above, something that Takver intimately
cherished, and came to believe. However, something always ringed hollow in such
ideas. Despite talking about the importance of sharing the suffering, he never
really truly attempts to do so, living in complete isolation. There is this
contradiction between the consciousness desire of connection, which is never
acted upon, and the gigantic fears of being rejected, harbored because of
damaging personal insecurities, which in his worst moments come to a terrifying
certainty that nobody could come to accept, or even look to him as human.
Takver goes to the person I have spent paragraphs trying to give a sense of,
and offers the connection he always looked for. An ultimate attempt at a human
relationship. Two individuals that
barely know each other, set the compromise of attempting to form the most ambitious
bond ever, a promise to always try to understand, look the individual right
next to them. While also consisting of sharing, trying to tell, show discuss
and truly expose all the feelings through every method and way possible, most notably
the suffering, but also the pleasure, the joy the fulfillment. All of this in
service of building a connection, even if just a little having each getting a
better grasp, while always trying to understand and bond. It consists of
something deeper and more subtle than love, being motivated by the intimate
desire we all have in common, of seeing our pain, desires, wishes, being acknowledged,
recognized, seen by others. It also is everlasting, more relevant than simple
desire, by not being a pursuit of momentary pleasure, but of something that
could lie way beyond that, more intimate and heartfelt. Of such class is the
nature of the bond we see at play here.
When I say everything changes after this, I
truly meant. The encounter could be easily explained as the most important
event in the life of the man who changed the entire universe. It comes off as a
source of motivation, help, and guide. When alone in the middle of the place,
which closely resembles hell on earth, in the character’s mind, all he can
think of is Takver. Calling her in the middle of his agony, wondering what she
would say, feel, her presence and advice being what he seeks in the worst of
moments. Managing to build this great source of motivation, relief, just really
knowing there is someone by your side, who will hear your worst thoughts,
feelings, accept and truly try to share the burden with you. Even the
separations are not seen as complete martyrdom, they gain meaning by the existence
of the connection, and there being a relief in the mere fact, of knowing there
is someone waiting for you, a place to call home and long for. In addition, of
course the joy of coming back, rejoining with this connection is impalpable. To
clarify, this is not to say we are talking about a perfect idealized
relationship, human relations are ruled by the same chance of finding yourself
hurt in here, as everywhere else in the book(or in life). Potential of causing
pain to an individual through connections is always there, sometimes appearing
even involuntarily. Not finding ways to express what you really mean, your true
feelings, is the most natural reaction after all.
Nevertheless, meaning in the compromise
both are willing to undertake is undeniable, the enterprise of simply going on
this wild impossible to predict search of others is admirable. The walls of the
self are impossible to truly climb; to get a perfect understanding of anyone
around is impossible (in fact doing so would be really close to gaining power
over someone, which is diametrically against these narrative morals). But the
effort in attempting to do so, to gain understanding, not power, to get a
single grasp at the core humanity that join us all, the possibilities and
wonder in all that, is something the dispossessed lays down masterfully. The
chance of finding sorrow, anguish, suffering all of it is worth it, before the
potential of a true connection, finding that brief insight or moment. It ultimately constructs a relationship that
can only be portrayed as unique, special, and magical. When Shevek express this
as the one thing he has been looking for his entire life, while never managing to
put in words or in a coherent though, both the feeling of always longing for
it, and finding it finally expressed, came to me as well. Coming to see a
reflection of deeply resonating desires is something I always find alluring in
fiction. I just love whenever a writer get an idea with such personal weight
explained, better than I myself could. Which is to say most of the stuff
between the two, made for easily the best parts of the narrative.
In regards to narrative structure, the
dispossessed truly displays an ingenious idea. The book has a circular pattern
of sorts, the ending echoes the beginning, meaning the story comes full circle
by the end. But it goes beyond that. Instead of a singular chronological
telling of Shevek actions, the narrative is split into 2 simultaneous sequences,
one showcasing the story of the beginnings of his life in Anarres, while the
other being about his entire stay in Urras. What is fascinating is the strong
correlation, an almost perfect parallelism between both stories. Take the
initial aspect, one starts with Shevek’s birth, the second has him experiencing
a new birth, after facing a worse than death destiny, when being disconnected from
his community. The Takver betrayal has this thematic complement and parallel
when Vea does the same. The ending display of events, in trying to rebel
against the organizations which rule society in both worlds, also has the exact
same consequence. What I am trying to get here, is there is strong correlation
between both narratives going on. A strong
sense of both being intrinsically connected, actually complementing, and
correlating at all points. Which also drives the point home, of Urras and
Anarres being polar opposites, each needing something the other desperately
has. In each telling you can find a new facet, perspective on what amounts to
really closely resembling events. You can only sparse the complete meaning, all
the implications being made, the greater thematic and character importance in
the occurrence, when you tie it into the grander context, narrative of the
book. Which sounds simple, but to masterfully manage to tie together all of her
story in such a structure, with such purpose to the way events are told, is
something I barely have seen done to this extent.
What always impress me in Le Guin’s works
(not the only thing ok) is her ability to instill nuance, negative and positive
points onto every system of power she presents. It is no coincidence she
describes the world of this book as an ambiguous utopia. You would be excused
for not getting that the system which is being presented as superior, is
actually the anarchy of Anarres(I am actually not sure on this myself). Really,
the actual society of Anarres is just so flawed; there is this general lack of
organization in the production forces, which makes though to meet even some of
the population most basic needs. Idealists starving to death in their
supposedly world saving utopia, does not represent commies in this universe but
the anarchists. On bad years, the situation of lacking resources is generalized
in Anarres. The society also comes with lot of both personal and systemic
corruption, to the odonian ideal this world is supposed to entail. We have syndicates
applying and gaining authority, almost becoming a bureaucracy, power structure.
Lots of people just generally trying to gain power, influence over others.
Being an odonian also just represents such, a strict social consciousness, to
only act according the good of the community, comes off as a strong belief for
everyone. Moral rules also have such a binding force, there is no need for law
and government enforcement here, the individuals internalize the community
rules, and all act as little tyrant oppressors even of their most deep desires,
all for the greater good of the whole. Even when unhappy and hating the whole
thing, the individual always takes these ridiculous self-sacrificing actions,
all because of how conscious they are of their duty as member of a society. Moreover,
never mind the imminent threat in extinction of this entire planet; because of
the shitty natural environment, they are placed.
Nevertheless, you know what, nothing I
wrote above really matters when we see the alternative (please do not take this
shade as literal). On Urras, the location that is explored is the country of
A-io, as it stands for a direct parallel to a first world country during the
cold war. There are other countries like the communist Thu being mentioned, but
they lack the careful exploration and intricacies found in Anarres or A-io(btw
if you are interested on seeing Le Guin’s take on a sort of capitalism x
socialism conflict parreling the cold war, just read her book, the left hand of
darkness, a boring as fuck masterpiece if you believe such). Nevertheless, what
we see is a market economy in its prime. Prosperity is the rule in this
country, the effervescent economy allows for a variety of products and services
being offered, while the human ingenuity and creativity are able to reach new
heights, frontiers under this regime. What is presented there is the biggest
extent of development, and capacity to change and model the world, that exists
in the entire fictional universe. Most of the more severe social, inequality
issues were solved( on this country at least, the rest of the world apparently
has to take the burden for much of this splendor, having a relation which is
pretty similar to what third world countries represented in our society).
Poverty exists, but in such a way that the rich are extremely rich, and the
poor are in no way miserable, or that worst of anyways. For a physicist of
Anarres looking to work, on a first glance, this was a dreamland. Luxury, comfort
both could be found in spades. Then you start thinking, what could possibly be
wrong, why is this not heaven on earth? To answer that, you need to look beyond
the surfaces, see the cracks on the perfect mirror of society, placed deeply into
the heart of the people inhabiting it.
To actually form a functioning satisfactory relation with another person
in Anarres, is simply put impossible. Everyone you can find just consists of
masks of normalcy, merely more than appearances. Hiding anything else on the
back ends of their minds, like Oiee when facing the biggest humiliation of his
life, at the face of Shevek. Their words and gestures are all about meaningless
formality (the difference in social standards being the recurrent one). Citizens
are only guided by self-interest, looking and reaching for others as means,
tools to get a better standing. For someone completely alien to such culture
and way of life, this appears in even worst manners, every gesture or action
most people take, are towards taking advantage, moving a personal agenda based
on his persona. Relations always mirror the way society is organized, and in no
place this is truer than Ayo. They follow the same hierarchies (just look at the
submissive almost humiliating actions a butler has to take) while also being
based on the same kind of power dynamics which rules the whole. They come with
a notion of being exerted in a way to subjugate, strip the person away of every
free will or trace of individuality he may have. While also making mistrust,
the fear of the other, expecting only the worst in everyone around you, as the
default mindset. Deceit to gain profit and benefits is not a bizarre sign of
madness, but the behavior, that should be encouraged. It is no surprise real life
great businessperson, usually have way higher levels of sociopathy than the
average joe, just look what kind of behavior is the rule to achieve success on
the system. This world is impossible to
understand for an individual like our protagonist. He extends his thoughts to
everyone, tries to understand, trust, really look and listen as he did in
Anarres. Amounting to nothing, as no one
is willing to do the same, his never-ending pointless encounters with
individuals, consisting of a complete madness where no actual communication
happens. The poor, the oppressed seem to be different for a period, revealing
the pain and sharing the anguish in their conditions. However, there is a
difference of purpose about the discussions done here, and between Shevek and
Takver for example in Anarres. On Urras, they come not from caring about who
Shevek is, establishing a connection, but also as means to an end. A goal of finally
getting the long lasting grandiose protest occurring, with an Anarres
representative, ahead of it all. You can have ideological disagreements with
what Ursula Le Guin has to say in this book, but her thorough exploration and
showcase of all facets, aspects in regards to the ideals and arguments she
decides to explore is simply unmatched. Simply selling a point of view, showing
an idea is simple enough. Le Guin is going for something more nuanced, complex,
multifaceted, in her representation, of politics, societies and individuals,
which for me she pulled off with flying colors.
Also, if I did not make sure already by the first paragraph, please be assured not to think, what I will be attempting in this paragraph, will be an exhaustive roll of themes in this series. Such a task would be the job for someone way more qualified than I would. When representing society, the tendency, which can be found in the work, is to complicate everything. Meaning that, there is no simple dichotomy explaining what the conflict in any given society should be. Which is the mark of most modern ideologies. Take communism for example (totally not the cliché example, that is the only one I can describe in passible terms) how would a capitalist society be presented, what conflicts would arise from it, according to a Marxist perspective? Sure there could be a majority of possibilities, but all would be entrenched, have some sort of deep rooting in a proletariat x bourgeoisie conflict. There is no such thing in the capitalist world of this book, all its conflicts come from a multitude of symbols, origins, ideals, surpassing a typically modern worldview. However, they also have a strong interdependence, amounting not only the start a new issue, but help inform and complement others, give part of an understandable picture of the whole. You cannot make a sense in regards to what Urras consists of, with easily identifiable conflicts, there is no single aspect defining the entire structure, everything matters. Sex, religion, social inequality and hierarchy, government forms, economic systems, natural and ecological conditions, all of it matters, and takes center stage in defining what each setting actually is. Which consists of the fragmented, hard to define ideal of the postmodern society.
A concern with the importance of language, and how it creates meaning is also tied with said ideological conceit. The usage of language differs heavily between the groups being presented. In Anarres, we have pravic, the biggest human made language. Its rational creation and usage tells a lot about the odonian society and their ideals. For example, there is a lack of possessive pronouns in the entire language, which makes complete sense; this is the society that wants to abolish completely the ideals of property and possession, so of course people would not be taught to think in these terms. When we have a rational society, which wants to improve and encourage the feelings of social fraternity and union between people (these are matters of life and death here), of course words like curses should not be used, and could you guess it, those are not found in pravic. Although an efficient form of social control, those weirdly also represent the limitations of communicating ideas, in moments like Shevek finding himself with no words to describe feelings in pravic, like the truest of despairs. The two complete different languages spoken emphasize the social hierarchy in Anarres. The rich have the sophisticated, scientific, dialectic, while the miserable have their barely understandable, confusing dialectic to communicate. Which also makes a great way to enact social control, limit the ability to exchange ideas, gain knowledge, and organize the lower class. To simply control how the ideas are conceived is way more ingenious than using actual censure, which is (formally) forbidden on the country. A surpassing of language as simply the means ideas are passed upon, but the study of its true importance as perhaps the greatest creator of meaning is evident. Can you picture every one of the topics I listed above, dealt and explored in a variety of implications and meanings, usually globally relevant, and complimentary? A truly multidisciplinary and endlessly complex work, was drawn upon my eyes, and my mind never stops returning to learn more.
So would you say it is coincidence, that despite the narrative following the greatest physic of this universe, none of his work or the physic being presented, has nothing to do with real word science(scientific exploration, and hard sci-fi concepts are really not what this book is about). Nevertheless Shevek`s life long work is actually really relevant to this narrative. Over simplifying (grossly) what he is attempting, it consists of trying to understand how time works, and is experienced by humans in the universe. There are two dichotomous view on the subject; the simultaneity theorem, under which every event, in past, present and future is, was and will happen simultaneously, giving then, the idea of sequence to reality our consciousness see, as only an illusion, a human mind by product. Which is counterfeit to the sequence theorem, where reality is advancing in time, happening on the same kind of logical moving forward as our minds. One dictates determinism, the other allows for free will. Shevek sees no contempt in both, making flawed ways to explain the world, incomplete methods, understandings, as explained with the rock, tree path dilemma. A recurrent motif (it is weird how in every time the differences in how he explains the same logical problem, show exactly the whys and how of Shevek`s growth). You could try to read the issue and its solution with dialectic Hegelian thinking, but doing so is not satisfactory. There is no synthesis between opposites happening here, no middle ground, union of both ideas to form a new one. In order to surpass the dilemma Shevek has to maintain both as separated equally valid ideas in his mind. Each explaining its own event, parts of the universe. To find answers on his field of though, the search for certainty, scientific precision and method (the freaking kid wanted to describe everything with numbers, because of how hard words and people were to understand) had to be abandoned. Only through acceptance of the illogical, unexplainable, an internally unsolvable contradiction, truth can be reached. Allowing for the creation of an ultimate theory on time. What is the result of that, you may question? The annihilation of space, an universal wall breaker.The creation of the ansible enables a new dawn for mankind, a communicator able to transmit instantaneously messages to any place anywhere, to everyone simply by means of its possession. This is the ultimate democratization of knowledge, allowing for groups even thousands of miles apart to exchange ideas, thoughts feelings. While also not enabling the transportation of troops, armies that would only travel as tools of domination between societies. This mark the beginning of a new universal order, the Ekumen, which is the topic of Le Guin’s earlier work, the left hand of darkness. The federation Shevek’s actions gave the impulse to initiate, is one not based on government or armed forces, but in ideals of a mutually beneficial trade in knowledge. On the conceits of general fraternity, union and help between every population. All in service of the wellbeing of its inhabitants.
Also, if I did not make sure already by the first paragraph, please be assured not to think, what I will be attempting in this paragraph, will be an exhaustive roll of themes in this series. Such a task would be the job for someone way more qualified than I would. When representing society, the tendency, which can be found in the work, is to complicate everything. Meaning that, there is no simple dichotomy explaining what the conflict in any given society should be. Which is the mark of most modern ideologies. Take communism for example (totally not the cliché example, that is the only one I can describe in passible terms) how would a capitalist society be presented, what conflicts would arise from it, according to a Marxist perspective? Sure there could be a majority of possibilities, but all would be entrenched, have some sort of deep rooting in a proletariat x bourgeoisie conflict. There is no such thing in the capitalist world of this book, all its conflicts come from a multitude of symbols, origins, ideals, surpassing a typically modern worldview. However, they also have a strong interdependence, amounting not only the start a new issue, but help inform and complement others, give part of an understandable picture of the whole. You cannot make a sense in regards to what Urras consists of, with easily identifiable conflicts, there is no single aspect defining the entire structure, everything matters. Sex, religion, social inequality and hierarchy, government forms, economic systems, natural and ecological conditions, all of it matters, and takes center stage in defining what each setting actually is. Which consists of the fragmented, hard to define ideal of the postmodern society.
A concern with the importance of language, and how it creates meaning is also tied with said ideological conceit. The usage of language differs heavily between the groups being presented. In Anarres, we have pravic, the biggest human made language. Its rational creation and usage tells a lot about the odonian society and their ideals. For example, there is a lack of possessive pronouns in the entire language, which makes complete sense; this is the society that wants to abolish completely the ideals of property and possession, so of course people would not be taught to think in these terms. When we have a rational society, which wants to improve and encourage the feelings of social fraternity and union between people (these are matters of life and death here), of course words like curses should not be used, and could you guess it, those are not found in pravic. Although an efficient form of social control, those weirdly also represent the limitations of communicating ideas, in moments like Shevek finding himself with no words to describe feelings in pravic, like the truest of despairs. The two complete different languages spoken emphasize the social hierarchy in Anarres. The rich have the sophisticated, scientific, dialectic, while the miserable have their barely understandable, confusing dialectic to communicate. Which also makes a great way to enact social control, limit the ability to exchange ideas, gain knowledge, and organize the lower class. To simply control how the ideas are conceived is way more ingenious than using actual censure, which is (formally) forbidden on the country. A surpassing of language as simply the means ideas are passed upon, but the study of its true importance as perhaps the greatest creator of meaning is evident. Can you picture every one of the topics I listed above, dealt and explored in a variety of implications and meanings, usually globally relevant, and complimentary? A truly multidisciplinary and endlessly complex work, was drawn upon my eyes, and my mind never stops returning to learn more.
So would you say it is coincidence, that despite the narrative following the greatest physic of this universe, none of his work or the physic being presented, has nothing to do with real word science(scientific exploration, and hard sci-fi concepts are really not what this book is about). Nevertheless Shevek`s life long work is actually really relevant to this narrative. Over simplifying (grossly) what he is attempting, it consists of trying to understand how time works, and is experienced by humans in the universe. There are two dichotomous view on the subject; the simultaneity theorem, under which every event, in past, present and future is, was and will happen simultaneously, giving then, the idea of sequence to reality our consciousness see, as only an illusion, a human mind by product. Which is counterfeit to the sequence theorem, where reality is advancing in time, happening on the same kind of logical moving forward as our minds. One dictates determinism, the other allows for free will. Shevek sees no contempt in both, making flawed ways to explain the world, incomplete methods, understandings, as explained with the rock, tree path dilemma. A recurrent motif (it is weird how in every time the differences in how he explains the same logical problem, show exactly the whys and how of Shevek`s growth). You could try to read the issue and its solution with dialectic Hegelian thinking, but doing so is not satisfactory. There is no synthesis between opposites happening here, no middle ground, union of both ideas to form a new one. In order to surpass the dilemma Shevek has to maintain both as separated equally valid ideas in his mind. Each explaining its own event, parts of the universe. To find answers on his field of though, the search for certainty, scientific precision and method (the freaking kid wanted to describe everything with numbers, because of how hard words and people were to understand) had to be abandoned. Only through acceptance of the illogical, unexplainable, an internally unsolvable contradiction, truth can be reached. Allowing for the creation of an ultimate theory on time. What is the result of that, you may question? The annihilation of space, an universal wall breaker.The creation of the ansible enables a new dawn for mankind, a communicator able to transmit instantaneously messages to any place anywhere, to everyone simply by means of its possession. This is the ultimate democratization of knowledge, allowing for groups even thousands of miles apart to exchange ideas, thoughts feelings. While also not enabling the transportation of troops, armies that would only travel as tools of domination between societies. This mark the beginning of a new universal order, the Ekumen, which is the topic of Le Guin’s earlier work, the left hand of darkness. The federation Shevek’s actions gave the impulse to initiate, is one not based on government or armed forces, but in ideals of a mutually beneficial trade in knowledge. On the conceits of general fraternity, union and help between every population. All in service of the wellbeing of its inhabitants.
I think you just need to stop, when your analysis is nine pages long with no signs of an ending. Hopefully, I could get the point across, and offered some insight into such a fascinating piece of fiction. Certainly the tale of this insecure, preachy, moralizing, self-deprecating to a fault amongst his undeniable merits, obstinate, incredibly melodramatic (omg, what a horrible self-insert), fool always looking for the value and how to build interactions with others will not leave my thoughts so soon (if ever). In addition, I would be delighted if someone had this experience based on what I wrote. Although my anxiety and anguish kept unsolved by writing this, I stand offering to you, my art, myself, on the hopes someone may find it acceptable, take something out of it. Perhaps such a thing is enough, or all anyone can ever achieve, to which with no a
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