For starters I really enjoyed reading this book. I did the whole thing in one sitting (hopefully sleep does not count as breaking up that one as I remained more or less in the same spot as when I started the book). There was one theme that particularly struck home for me. The hatred that Shevek experiences from those within his own society.
Everywhere Shevek explored on either world hatred followed him. It appeared that because he was specifically on a quest to obtain a utopia that it was denied him. Instead the world seemed to turn its back on him slowly. Perhaps it was due to the fact that he searched for the perfect world on his own, through his constant struggle with physics by himself. However, I don't think that is the particular reason. Shevek's character appeared to be entirely dedicated to the construct of his society. That society, being well planned with good intentions, still had rules that he was following. Because he was so blindly connected to the rules he could not avoid the problems inherent within the society. To explain this I will refer to several examples. The first is his attempt to mate with the girl Gimar while planting trees around pages 48 to 51. She has shifted the rules of Odian ethics to allow her to enjoy the love of her partner while still allowing herself to call it a "sharing". Shevek could not understand anything other than the blatant formula of Odian society, which perhaps explains why his profession physics. The explanation, though varied, is flat and formulaic for him. Even later in the novel, when he too finds his life partner, Shevek attempts to remain within boundaries of his society by accepting a post off in the Dust when he could find work and follow his companion which would allow for his personal happiness. In essence he is defeating himself from his own goal. By following the rules and not creating something for himself he cannot be happy.
Along this line we can also reflect on the portion of the book when Shevek allows Takvar to insist upon using Sabul's name to publish his book, he is following the rules. By the time Shevek begins to bend the rules of Odian society to his own means, he has waited too long. I believe what le Guin is attempting to show in this is the slow process of self discovery. There is no map through which a person might follow the plans to achieve utopia. If we do follow some rules of law or traditions, they will lead to discontent. If at some point one does attempt to break away, as Shevek does in this portion of the novel, it is problematic. Not insomuch as it is not possible and may not relieve stress from our protagonist. The issue is within the society as a whole. Transformation may take place within an individual, but societal change must be a movement of the whole. Instead of working with the community to make change, Shevek became a victim of a lost cause and then forced his new ideas on a people unprepared for a change. In summation I would conclude that the hatred Shevek experiences stems from his traditional social standards coupled with his desire to obtain the new and unimagined. The paradox brings in the hatred.
1 comment:
Referring to the part you mentioned where Takvar convinces Shevek to let Sabul publish with his name:
I think this also illustrates what Shevek realizes later, which is that the society in Anarres had become so collective that the collective was placed over the individual. "The Social Conscience completely dominates the individual conscience instead of striking a balance with it" (330). This is an interesting point about the importance of the individual in the collectivist society--the collective is nessary but cannot stifle the individual or the whole aim becomes subverted.
Also, your interpretation of all of this "hate" following Shevek in both worlds is interesting. I would term it resistance, but using your wording, an interesting comparison arises. There is a part in the book where Shevek says that all we have that holds us together is suffering because love can deteriorate into hate. LeGuin describes many on Urras as simultaneously envying Shevek and loving him. Perhaps it would be interesting to trace the evolution of these emotions throughout the book.
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