Wednesday, January 31, 2018
The Nineteenth Day
I felt that reading chapter four, The Nineteenth Day, was the most interesting folktale/myth that was introduced in the book going along with the main storyline. It provided supplemental info (backstory) on the Foretellers that is spoken about in the previous chapter, chapter three, The Mad King. At first, I was very confused on how the Foreteller thing worked but I thought of the Hobbit and used that as a reference. Chapter four takes place on the nineteenth day and is the story of and Herbor and Berosty who are kemmering partners that get together to get "down and dirty." The two of them visit the Foretellers for information and are told that Lord Berosty will die on the 19th day of any month (a prophecy) and Berosty is fearful for when he was going to die. Unknowingly, Herbor goes to see the Fortellers to offer his life in exchange for Lord Berosty and the Foretellers grant his request. Once Lord Berosty finds out of the events that have occurred, the lord is then fueled with rage and becomes the Hulk and terrorizes...whoops, wrong story. Berosty actually gets angry and hits Herbor over the head with a table and he instantly dies. Once he realized what he had done and his guilt ate him from the inside out, he decided to hang himself and put an end to the pain he felt. With Lord Berosty killing himself, it fulfilled the prophecy and died on the 19th day. Prophecies are always bad, no matter the outcome. This myth tells us that Gethenian culture is very superstitious because they believe in prophecies with astronomical consequences. This myth makes direct connections with the plot because it foreshadows what happens in chapter five in regards to Genly speaking with the Foretellers and bumping into Faxe the Weaver. In chapter five, it is said that "in the end, we all die." The idea of predicting what will happen in the future is an on-going theme throughout the book, having a premonition of an outcome when they have no idea the cause. I really enjoyed this chapter because even though it was kind of hard to follow, it was very interesting.
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I agree with you! I also think that chapter 4 was the most interesting folktale that we have read so far in the novel. The tales are all symbolic and somehow tie in a little to the storyline in some way. I also agree with what you said about how the tales have an ongoing theme about predicting what will happen.
ReplyDeleteI too agree with your point in the beliefs of Gethenians. In addition, your observation in how the prophecies foreshadow the story's plot was spot on.
ReplyDeleteI also think that this chapter was very interesting. I never thought that the foreteller thing was like the hobbit. It was crazy when Herbor got killed leading to Lord Berosty killing himself, which fulfilled the prophecy. We've learned that prophecies are bad news.
ReplyDeleteChapter 4 was definitely an interesting one. There are many times in fiction where the main character has to deal with a prophecy, and something bad usually happens. This is why we should just stop focusing too much on what will happen in the future and instead just worry about the present.
ReplyDeleteYes! I agree. Chapter 4 was one of my favorites, it was one interesting folktale, and a good chapter to pay attention too. Especially the little details that ties into the story! Very useful information and a good chapter to enjoy
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your statement about how the theme of this novel is an on-going theme. Also, In addition, the myth that you stated shows the Gethenian's perspective is very superstitious, because they believe in astrology.
ReplyDeleteCertainly a good folktale, however, my favorite is the one about Stork and Estraven. Only because you definetly see a sense of foreshadowing in regards to Estraven's later death. The only differnece between the deaths was that folktale Estraven was murdered in enemy territory while Ex-Primeminister Estraven was murdered exiting his ex-homeland. Nonetheless, it's very interesting how the myths correlate with the natives' lives, but like they say. every myth has some truth behind it.
ReplyDeleteI also thought that this folk tale was interesting, it shows how knowledge of the unknown, when it's vague, can be dreadful. The people that reside in the fastnesses live without seeking answers of the unknown.
ReplyDeleteThrough out the book it seems that all anyone is thinking about is the future. With this folk tale followed by chapter 5 it makes it seem that LeGuin is trying to remind the reader to not always worry about the future but what is also happening in the present. Since there is only one for sure thing in this world and that is death.
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