42 pages 1 hour read

Ursula K. Le Guin

The Left Hand of Darkness

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1969

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.

Essay Topics

1.

How does the nature of Gethen’s climate affect Genly’s mission? How does it shape the attitudes and limitations of the Gethen themselves?

2.

What attitudes and norms does Genly admire about the Gethen from the beginning of the book, and which alienate him? How does he connect these prejudices to gender?

3.

What does King Argaven say is the key to running a country? In what way is this like the politics of LeGuin’s world, particularly of America in the 1960s? Support your answer with historical research and evidence from the text.

Related Titles

By Ursula K. Le Guin

Study Guide

logo

Lavinia

Ursula K. Le Guin

Lavinia

Ursula K. Le Guin

Study Guide

logo

The Dispossessed

Ursula K. Le Guin

The Dispossessed

Ursula K. Le Guin

Study Guide

logo

The Lathe Of Heaven

Ursula K. Le Guin

The Lathe Of Heaven

Ursula K. Le Guin

Study Guide

logo

The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas

Ursula K. Le Guin

The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas

Ursula K. Le Guin

Plot Summary

logo

The Tombs of Atuan

Ursula K. Le Guin

The Tombs of Atuan

Ursula K. Le Guin

Study Guide

logo

The Word for World is Forest

Ursula K. Le Guin

The Word for World is Forest

Ursula K. Le Guin