Societal Norms, Personal Expression, and Politics
Societal Norms are the expected behaviors of individuals within a group. Behaviors in opposition to societal norms are permitted to a certain extent, in the U.S., typically under the right to free speech. Here in the U.S. as well as in Le Guin’s galaxy, a group’s social norms are intrinsically tied to politics, and the reaction of each society to personal expression is influenced by the society’s politics.
The socio-political structure on Anarres is an example of “nonauthoritarian communism” which requires decentralized self-government through self-regulation, and dictates that all assets are the property of the community not the individual (Le Guin 342). However, fear of the individual’s personal …show more content…
The Syndicate leader Bedap, argues that Anarres’ society is falling into the trap of centralized rule and abandoning one of the principle Odonian ideals. Rulag is the voice of the majority, and therefore the societal norm. Bedap is the minority voice, and therefore the anarchist. He speaks for the validity of personal expression. Rulag frames Bedaps ideas as individualistic expressions, “emphasizing the pronoun” of ownership, and charging the Syndicate with threatening the safety of Anarres (355). In truth, both parties argue for different sides of the same coin. Their disagreement is political and personal. Rulag leans on societal norms based on Odonian ideas, to justify her life choices to herself, and to uphold the tradition of a closed society. Bedap leans on Odonian ideas of society, to justify his, Shevek’s, and other friends’ life choices, as well as the desire to share with all societies regardless of socio-political …show more content…
This behavior reduces men to their sexual and reproductive functions, in much the same way women of A-Io are reduced. However, the A-Io idea of manipulation is based on the idea of personal power, ownership of one thing or another, and purchasing power, all of which directly opposes the Odonian values of sharing everything. Shevek is further confused by Vea’s socially acceptable semi-nudity and overt flirtations, so much so that he attempts to rape her. She was not making advances on him, but only following social standards of her society, not making any personal expression of desire. His failed attempt at copulation is a symbolic representation of his failure to grasp the ideological differences between Urras and
Societal Norms are the expected behaviors of individuals within a group. Behaviors in opposition to societal norms are permitted to a certain extent, in the U.S., typically under the right to free speech. Here in the U.S. as well as in Le Guin’s galaxy, a group’s social norms are intrinsically tied to politics, and the reaction of each society to personal expression is influenced by the society’s politics.
The socio-political structure on Anarres is an example of “nonauthoritarian communism” which requires decentralized self-government through self-regulation, and dictates that all assets are the property of the community not the individual (Le Guin 342). However, fear of the individual’s personal …show more content…
The Syndicate leader Bedap, argues that Anarres’ society is falling into the trap of centralized rule and abandoning one of the principle Odonian ideals. Rulag is the voice of the majority, and therefore the societal norm. Bedap is the minority voice, and therefore the anarchist. He speaks for the validity of personal expression. Rulag frames Bedaps ideas as individualistic expressions, “emphasizing the pronoun” of ownership, and charging the Syndicate with threatening the safety of Anarres (355). In truth, both parties argue for different sides of the same coin. Their disagreement is political and personal. Rulag leans on societal norms based on Odonian ideas, to justify her life choices to herself, and to uphold the tradition of a closed society. Bedap leans on Odonian ideas of society, to justify his, Shevek’s, and other friends’ life choices, as well as the desire to share with all societies regardless of socio-political …show more content…
This behavior reduces men to their sexual and reproductive functions, in much the same way women of A-Io are reduced. However, the A-Io idea of manipulation is based on the idea of personal power, ownership of one thing or another, and purchasing power, all of which directly opposes the Odonian values of sharing everything. Shevek is further confused by Vea’s socially acceptable semi-nudity and overt flirtations, so much so that he attempts to rape her. She was not making advances on him, but only following social standards of her society, not making any personal expression of desire. His failed attempt at copulation is a symbolic representation of his failure to grasp the ideological differences between Urras and