Okay, I’ll admit it. The gender thing still confuses me, mostly because the author/Genly can’t stop referring to everyone as “he”. Sure I get what they mean but that does not make it easy when it comes to picturing these people. But I get these hilarious visions of pregnant men waddling around in the snow like overstuffed penguins.... Anyways, that’s not what this blog is about so enough of that. It’s totally moot point.
My main interest is Estraven at this point. Interestingly, the novel isn’t about Genly anymore, is it? At first, I thought it was since he was the central character up until his kidnapping. However, it seems more like the novel is about Estraven and what kind of person he really is. Genly is like a pawn (I use that term loosely, but I think it still applies), unknowingly being played by Estraven in his careful game of politics. After all, who better to use than someone who knows absolutely nothing?
That doesn’t mean, however, that Estraven is some sort of slimy politician. I’m fairly sure he isn’t even if he uses some sly moves. He obviously shows regret when Genly gets captured, going as far as to risk himself to break the envoy out. He knows what he put Genly through and readily admits it: “…have put you in pain, and shame. And danger. I know it.” (199) He also claims that while he trusts Genly, Genly does not trust him. Yet, somehow, that will work out just fine.
I also like the relationship the two have. From what I can tell, Genly went from cautious trust (the very beginning before Estraven was kicked out of Karhide) to suspicion and distrust to tentative friendship. They agree to exchange more personal names after Genly gets out of his ‘prison’ and work together to survive (I’m not gonna lie I totally wish Estraven jumped Genly when he was in kemmer. I would’ve liked that!). It’s slow but like a snowball rolling down a hill, it seems to pick up with increasing speed as the distance goes on.
Anyone else have thoughts about Estraven in general or his strange relationship with Genly?
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