There were so many interesting aspects of this reading that I was having a hard time trying to decide what to write about. As I was finishing with the assigned reading for the week I came across an exchange between Estraven/Harth and Genly Ai that I knew I just had to write about. The passage struck me as both funny and a little offensive, but mostly funny. The passage in which I refer to is on page 234 where the two characters are discussing what Gely Ai's female counterparts are like.
The first part that struck me as humourous is when Estraven/Harth asks Ai, "Are they like a different species?" (234) Ai's answer seems to be one of indecision. He can't seem to decide if women are a different species or not. Finally he says not really but that there are unique differences. The next thing he says about women, and men for that matter, I agree with. Ai states that the sex a person is born with largely determines how they will grow. Social experiences, cultures, activities and almost everything else varies depending on if you are a man or a woman. We can all try to deny this but it is true. What sex you are often dictates how people will perceive you. Times are changing and perception is changing with it but it is a slow process.
The next part that struck me as humourous but just a tad bit offensive was when Estraven asked Ai if women are "mentally inferior." (234) Ai's answer is that he does not know but women are not stupid, there just aren't any on the same intellectual level as the smartest men. My feelings of being offended were short lived when I double checked the date in which this book was written, 1969. At that, a little light bulb went off. When this book was written, women were not considered as being intellectual equals to men. Women's right and equalities were still developing. Now, we have all sorts of bright, intelligent, and succesfull women in a multitude of different fields. The playing field may not be entirely level but it has definitely come a long way from 1969.
One other thing is for certain; if any man today would make a comment like Ai did in the book, he would be in for a world of hurt!
I have to agree with you! I have been enjoying this part of the readings the most. I found it also funny when Estraven was asking Mr. Ai about women. Something so normal to us is such a huge question for some of the characters in this book. I agree with you when you say the sex you are often dictates how people perceive you and that is so true. A lot of times roles are expected for each sex but the world is changing more and are changing their personal perspectives. I also talked about how it was funny when they were both talking about women and whether they are "Mentally Inferior"? Now days men and women are a lot more equal then ever before with some exceptions. I agree, the world has come a long way since 1969. I really at the beginning didn't like and understand the book, but the more I read it and get to understand the terms and oddness of the book, I have grown to appreciate books of this sort.
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