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Ch. 1 - A Parade in Erhenrang

#78: Jan. - Feb. 2010 (Fiction)
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Chris OConnor

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Ch. 1 - A Parade in Erhenrang

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Please discuss Ch. 1 - A Parade in Erhenrang in this thread. :)
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Suzanne

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Re: Ch. 1 - A Parade in Erhenrang

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I am so glad my finals are over and I can now read for fun! I am gathering my winter break books now, and I am looking forward to reading and discussing "The Left Hand of Darkness".
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Re: Ch. 1 - A Parade in Erhenrang

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I've just unpacked my copy! I look very forward to re-reading it.
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Re: Ch. 1 - A Parade in Erhenrang

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I just bought a new copy, hopefully a good deal of people will participate.
"The constant questioning of our values and achievements is a challenge with which neither science nor society can remain healthy. "
-Bohr.

"Someday, on your tombstone, there will be two dates - and nobody realizes that all that mattered to you was that small dash in between"

In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.
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Re: Ch. 1 - A Parade in Erhenrang

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Would anyone be interested in a discussion of color (including the lack of such) in the first chapter? Much care was taken in describing the colors of clothing the parade participants wore, the greys and white or the landscape/architecture, the pink of the mortar, red in the interior of the king's house, the green of the new clothing of Ai, etc. I think this would make a lovely discussion.

__________ Sat Dec 26, 2009 7:59 am __________

Well, I'll make a start with the color red: red is present in the house of the king, a logical symbol as the king says he rules his kingdom with fear. Red occurs in themes of power and insanity and we are introduced to this colour almost immediately in the form of the reddish, pinkish mortar mixed with human (in ancient times) and animal (in present) blood. The arch, in order to be joined, as in a pagan ceremony where blood must be spilled (or Celtic forts where humans were "mortared" in to the wall in order to strengthen it), requires this "sacrifice" of blood in order to be joined together.
In the Fastnesses, the hemmen trees are blood-red conifers as are the towers in Rer, again the blood/ power/insanity theme.
Gods and spirits are parasitic--Pascal Boyer

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Re: Ch. 1 - A Parade in Erhenrang

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Hello oblivion:

I love the use of colors in fiction, I suppose this is by-product of my love for "The Great Gatsby" and I would love to discuss this with you. I always am on the look out for colors and flowers. I have just gotten my copy of "The Left Hand of Darkness", a little thing really, but I know size can be misleading. :wink:

I love symbolism, give me a chance to catch up with you. This should be a great discussion!
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Re: Ch. 1 - A Parade in Erhenrang

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Thanks, Suzanne, am looking forward to our discussion....and with (hopefully many) others.
Gods and spirits are parasitic--Pascal Boyer

Religion is the only force in the world that lets a person have his prejudice or hatred and feel good about it --S C Hitchcock

Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it. --André Gide

Reading is a majority skill but a minority art. --Julian Barnes
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Re: Ch. 1 - A Parade in Erhenrang

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oblivion wrote:Well, I'll make a start with the color red: red is present in the house of the king, a logical symbol as the king says he rules his kingdom with fear. Red occurs in themes of power and insanity and we are introduced to this colour almost immediately in the form of the reddish, pinkish mortar mixed with human (in ancient times) and animal (in present) blood.
There certainly is much mention of the color red in relation to the king and the buildings, and the trees, the color red comes back in the fourth chapter. I have not decided how I feel about the characters yet to make the determination if the color red represents good or bad. Red can mean danger, or love. The king is called "mad", but again, I'm not sure if he is insane. Purple would be appropriate for authority and power, no mention of purple.

My feelings toward the king have changed a bit between the first and fourth chapters. There is an interesting statement by the king, he says, "And so I rule my country well. Because only fear rules men." Then he goes on to say, "But I am already afraid, and I am the king. Fear is king!" (Pg. 29) So, the king is afraid, and because of his fear he is able to rule over his country? This is different than saying the king induces fear in his subjects.

Sorry, I'm getting a little ahead here.
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Re: Ch. 1 - A Parade in Erhenrang

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If Argaven is afraid (paranoia bordering on insanity),he induces fear into his subjects, if he is terrified of the object, person, whatever, they should be too.

Red represents Argaven while Purple, to me, would represent Estraven.
Last edited by Jlane5516 on Sat Jan 02, 2010 11:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
"The constant questioning of our values and achievements is a challenge with which neither science nor society can remain healthy. "
-Bohr.

"Someday, on your tombstone, there will be two dates - and nobody realizes that all that mattered to you was that small dash in between"

In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.
- Douglas Adams
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Re: Ch. 1 - A Parade in Erhenrang

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Red is usually a dominant color. I would have associated it with the king as well, not just with his rooms/domicile, etc. Red usually symbolizes danger, warning, fire, sex, passion, but also leadership, power, wealth and masculinity. Interesting how these apply to Estreven (the person) but only to the things surrounding the king and not to the king himself.

What do you think about the color yellow/saffron? It was the color of the sapphires in the parade and the color that the king wore: ...“and among them is King Argaven XV, in white tunic and shirt and breeches, with leggings of saffron leather and a peaked yellow cap. A gold finger-ring is his only adornment and sign of office.. bear the royal litter, rough with yellow sapphires...“

Yellow is usually the color of hope, air, liberalism, cowardice, illness , fear, hazards, dishonesty, avarice, weakness, greed, decay or aging, femininity, deceit and is usually paired with red. I think these attributes fit the king quite well.

I also like the pairing concept, especially since I read that le Guin was an admirer of Taoism, Yin and Yang.
Gods and spirits are parasitic--Pascal Boyer

Religion is the only force in the world that lets a person have his prejudice or hatred and feel good about it --S C Hitchcock

Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it. --André Gide

Reading is a majority skill but a minority art. --Julian Barnes
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