The Left Hand of Darkness

Ong Tot Oppong, a member of the first Ekumenical scouting party on Gethen, writes in her journal about the evolutionary origins of Gethen’s sexual physiology, which is unlike any other in the known galaxy. She believes that the Gethen were part of an experiment conducted by a galaxy-faring humanoid species called the Hain several thousand years ago, before the onset of the Gethenian ice age which defines the climate of the planet at the time of her writing. In her journal, she notes that the phases of kemmer—and the attendant, random production of estrogen or testosterone in the otherwise asexual species—are roughly analogous the ovulation cycle of female humans on other planets. She notes that pairing is not always monogamous, and the marriage-like vows of kemmering have no legal status on Gethen. Matriarchal lineage is traced to the exclusion of patriarchal lineage. Those in kemmer are not expected to work and are accepted into large kemmering houses without exception. Oppong notes that there is no such thing as rape on Gethen, as coitus can only happen through collaboration and invitation. She notes, too, that there is logically no gender separation when it comes to perceived intellectual ability or labor capability. She notes that the sexual physiognomy of the Gethenians seems animalistic to the Ekumen. She wonders at the capacity such people have for a developed culture. In the end, she notes that the Gethenians are defined by the harshness of their climate as much as by their sexual physiognomy.

Genly slowly tours the Karhide provinces, explaining himself to commoners in different towns and relying on the hospitality of strangers. He considers the slow pace of Gethenian industrial and technological advancement, which spanned millennia rather than centuries. He considers the collective, group-based parenting of Gethen children. When the people of the provinces hear that King Argaven is going to give birth to a new heir, they show little reverence, which Genly finds both refreshing and instructive. Karhide, he realizes, is not a monolith.

Returning to Erhenrang, Genly finds that Tibe, the new prime minister, has begun to use increasingly emotional and nationalistic rhetoric in mass communication. Understanding that such rhetoric leads to xenophobia and war, Genly fears for his safety. He goes to the Orgota embassy and asks for permission to enter Orgoreyn. The process is highly bureaucratic and takes a long time. The mood in Erhenrang shifts, and armed patrols become a daily sight. People who once were friendly begin to treat Genly with suspicion. Ashe, Estraven’s kemmering, visits Genly with a request to take money to Estraven. Ashe cares very much for the exiled former prime minister and asks only for news of Estraven’s condition.

Genly’s papers are unexpectedly expedited, and he leaves by foot for Orgoreyn. He has a pleasant walk, partaking of Karhidish hospitality outside of the tense atmosphere of the capital. He is admitted into the Orgota city of Siuwensin with little fuss. There he sees evidence of border skirmishes with locals from Karhide, and travels with refugees to a communal farm. Without an official passport, he is given rough accommodations under the watchful eye of armed authorities.

Soon, an official comes to greet Genly as a respected Envoy, with apologies for his rough treatment. Genly is granted a passport, a vehicle, and a free pass to lodging-houses across the nation. He also receives an invitation to the large city of Mishnory, to the house of a transportation Commissioner named Shusgis. The drive takes several days. Listening to the radio, Genly finds the news peaceful and orderly, with none of the passion he heard in Karhide. Arriving in Mishnory, he notes the uninspired but practical simplicity of the architecture there, as well as the state of technological advancement and order of the people.

Shusgis greets Genly as a favored political Ambassador, though Genly protests that he is only an Envoy. Shusgis gives Genly a room in his luxurious house. Genly attributes Shusgis’s wealth, which is great compared to Karhide officials, to being in a nation with a collective infrastructure. After meeting with several of Shusgis’s peers, however, it soon becomes plain to Genly that he is being kept a secret from Orgoreyn’s orderly society, and is being used as a pawn in a limited diplomatic gain. Soon, he meets Estraven, and concludes that it was Estraven who campaigned for Genly to be brought before Orgoreyn’s highest officials.

In another Karhidish tale, rival domains called Stok and Estre skirmish over the disputed lands in a region called Kerm. One day, a prince of Estre (titled Estraven, or Arek) falls through the ice and nearly dies of exposure. He finds a small house in the forest, where a stranger cares for the prince by a fire. The prince’s host is a Stok, titled Stokven, or Therem. The two swear kemmering with one another.

Soon, Stokven’s kin arrive and stab the prince on sight. Stokven commands that their kin return the prince to Estre. Stokven’s kin swear to do so but instead leave the prince’s body deep within the woods. Stokven’s father banishes the returning kin for breaking their vow. Stokven leaves Stok to wander and study.

The prince’s kin search for the body and mourn. Stokven secretly leaves their child with the King of Estre, who immediately sees the infant’s likeness to the prince, his son. The child, also called Estraven, becomes the heir to the throne, making his uncles jealous. When Estraven is grown, the uncles ambush him. Estraven triumphs, but wanders into the woods, badly damaged.

Estraven finds Stokven’s house in the woods. They recognize one another and declare peace in regards to the disputed lands. For this, the prince is forever called Estraven the Traitor.

Estraven, known by his common name Therem Harth, visits Genly the next morning. Genly empathizes with Estraven’s exile but feels no remorse for his secretive plans. Their meeting is tense and awkward. Genly gives Estraven Ashe’s packet of money, and Estraven attempts to convince Genly that he needs trusted advice, characterizing Orgoreyn as a place of “sugar-syrup” words. Estraven fails to gain Genly’s trust, and the two part ways.

In early autumn, the first snows begin. Genly becomes homesick for Terra. He makes a lunch appointment with a new crop of Orgota officials, where he discovers that Argevan’s child died within an hour of being born. Genly becomes uncomfortable at the number of pointed questions the Orgota officials ask about Karhide. He finds the Orgota officials sly and sophisticated in comparison to the Karhide ruling class. He attempts to explain his origins and the semi-anarchist political philosophy of the Ekumen. The Orgota are skeptical, especially concerning the Ekumen’s disinterest in Gethen national boundaries. They ask many penetrating questions about the whereabouts of the ship that brought Genly to Gethen, and about the delegation floating in deep stasis circling Gethen’s sun, which Genly could call forth and which would arrive within a few days. Genly is uncomfortable with the limited, self-interested scope of their questions, especially of a politically minded official named Obsle.

Genly seems to make progress over the next week. Genly needs the Orgota council to agree unanimously to open trade negotiations with the Ekumen before he can show them “proof” of his extraterrestrial origin. By contrast, a few holdouts on the Orgota council, led by an official named Gaum, want the proof first. As negotiations continue, Genly learns of the existence of the Sarf, the Orgota secret police. Gaum, a member of the Sarf, proposes an inappropriate and poorly received toast upon hearing the news of the death of King Argaven’s child.

Genly speaks with Shusgis about Estraven, learning that Shusgis thinks little of Estraven, and considers him a traitor. Genly doubts where his allegiances should lie.