Hermaphroditism and You: The Left Hand of Darkness Presentation By: Susan Caplow Josh Geilhufe Colleen O’Rourke Liz Pardue.

Hermaphroditism and You:The Left Hand of Darkness

Presentation By:

Susan Caplow

Josh Geilhufe

Colleen O’Rourke

Liz Pardue

Ursula K. Le GuinUrsula K. Le Guin Born in 1929 in Berkeley, Born in 1929 in Berkeley,

CACA Daughter of a writer and Daughter of a writer and

an anthropologistan anthropologist Has three older brothersHas three older brothers B.A.: Radcliffe CollegeB.A.: Radcliffe College M.A.: Columbia UniversityM.A.: Columbia University Married with 3 children Married with 3 children

and 3 grandchildrenand 3 grandchildren Is TaoistIs Taoist Lives in OregonLives in Oregon Prolific writerProlific writer

Feminism and Le Feminism and Le GuinGuin

• Science fiction was Science fiction was mostly male-dominated mostly male-dominated until the 1960’suntil the 1960’s

• In the 60’s and 70’s In the 60’s and 70’s many more women fell many more women fell into writing Science into writing Science FictionFiction

• Le Guin’s early work Le Guin’s early work was male-centeredwas male-centered

• She considers herself a She considers herself a disciple of “thoughtful disciple of “thoughtful feminism”.feminism”.

Thoughts on and Criticism of Thoughts on and Criticism of The The Left Hand of DarknessLeft Hand of Darkness

Sources for QuotationsSources for Quotations Biographical information, adapted from Wikipedia. Biographical information, adapted from Wikipedia.

http://www.malaspina.com/site/person_752.htmlhttp://www.malaspina.com/site/person_752.html Interview with Ursula Le Guin. Interview with Ursula Le Guin.

http://www.sfsite.com/03a/ul123.htmhttp://www.sfsite.com/03a/ul123.htm Interview with Ursula Le Guin. Interview with Ursula Le Guin.

http://www.geocities.com/Area51/2593/fuliv.htmhttp://www.geocities.com/Area51/2593/fuliv.htm

A Brief HistoryA Brief History

Hermaphrodites have arisen Hermaphrodites have arisen occasionally throughout human occasionally throughout human historyhistory Viewed as monsters or signs from GodViewed as monsters or signs from God

Plato’s Plato’s SymposiumSymposium – description of – description of hermaphrodite as original condition of hermaphrodite as original condition of the sexesthe sexes ““humans” were a double creature with humans” were a double creature with

four arms, four legs, two faces, etc…four arms, four legs, two faces, etc… Zeus got mad and split them into twoZeus got mad and split them into two Spend rest of existence trying to become Spend rest of existence trying to become

one againone again

(See also: (See also: Hedwig and the Angry Inch)Hedwig and the Angry Inch)

PhilosophyPhilosophy

• “Androgyny” not just physical but mental state– 1974: Sandra Bem, Stanfurd University psychologist,

developed concept and coined word “androgyny”– Androgynous people exhibit both “male” and “female”

traits• Male: Competence traits (aggressive, independent, dominant,

ambitious)• Female: Expressive traits (tactful, quiet, easily express feelings,

need security)

– Androg. Females more assertive and independent; Androg. Males more nurturing and empathic

Philosophy Cont.Philosophy Cont.

1970 Case Study1970 Case Study– 80 professionals (psychiatrists, social 80 professionals (psychiatrists, social

workers, etc) asked to describe traits of workers, etc) asked to describe traits of three people: three people: Normal Adult Male, Normal Normal Adult Male, Normal Adult Female, Normal Adult PersonAdult Female, Normal Adult PersonMale AND Female participants saw Healthy Male AND Female participants saw Healthy

Male and Healthy Person as having the same Male and Healthy Person as having the same characteristicscharacteristics

Healthy Female seen as more submissive, Healthy Female seen as more submissive, excitable, preoccupied with appearanceexcitable, preoccupied with appearance

– Matched traits of an immature personMatched traits of an immature person

Reasons the Biology is WRONG

• Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection

• Specialization = Good

• Capacity to produce both sperm and egg = Not Good

Still More Problems

• Heredity: Genes are linked

• Evolution Happens: Winter and Summer = Different

Discussion Questions

• How does Le Guin use misogyny to convey a feminist message?

• How does she use/combine the ideas of race, nationality, species, and aliens?

• Do Gethenians gain liberty through the loss of gender roles? How does this relate to war?

• What are your interpretations of the combination of hermaphroditism with incest?

Acknowledgements

• Professor Fitzpatrick

• Barbarella