Characters and Places:
Capt. Davidson
Selver Thele/Sam/Scarface
Lyubov
New Tahiti/Athshe Colony/World 41
Hains: Lepennon
Creechies/Athsheans
Humans/yumens/Terrans
Key Themes:
Frontierism
Racism
Sexism/Masculinity
Violence
Ecology/Exploitation
Linearity vs Circularity
Capitalism/Resource Extraction
Progress/Change vs. Stasis/Balance (p. 68)
Pastoralism (e.g. singing contests)
Point of View: What is the rhetorical effect of starting with Davidson's p.o.v. and then shifting to Selver's and Lyubov's?
How do we define "humanity?" Look at p 53, 63, 68-69, 79
Why do the Terrans decide that the Ashtheans aren't human?
Why do the Ashtheans decide that the yumens aren't human?
How does Nash's work help us understand Le Guin's novel?
Consider the theme of heroism: p. 36
Consider the theme of racism: p. 77c
Why does Davidson keep saying that he "Just happen[s] to be that way..." (pp. 43, 77, 79)
On p. 59 Le Guin writes "A people can't be insane" Can a people be insane? Consider this notion in relation to environmental destruction as a global crisis.
Consider "insanity" as Le Guin defines it in relation to Chris McCandless. Would Le Guin argue that McCandless was insane?
Notice the reference to the "final solution" on p. 78: This is a story that invokes Human history. What parallels can you see between this narrative and human history? What is the effect or point of such parallels?
Consider the Afterword: What does she mean that "it is even more painful to be Don Davidson than it is to be Raj Lyubov?"