Amongst the confusion of reading a book full of made up words (which I’m sure we will be doing a lot of this semester), one theme stuck out to me: cultural tolerance and understanding.

As the reader, we are able to join Genly in the process of learning about the people and planet of Gethen. At the start of the novel, we know very little regarding Gethenian culture – quite similar to Genly. As the pages turn, and as these once obscure names, words, and ideas recur, they grow progressively familiar to us, and serve as elements in the plot as oppose to sources of confusion and obstacles keeping us from understanding. It certainly was not my favorite Science Fiction novel, but I did enjoy the process of joining Genly in his journey of understanding the Gethenian culture.

Also. Here’s a picture of my pal Ms. Boyd and I joining Genly (also featured – Faxe [I think]).