The Lathe of Heaven

by

Ursula K. Le Guin

Er’ perrehnne Term Analysis

Er’ perrehnne is a term that belongs to the language spoken by the Aldebaranian Aliens Orr creates with one of his effective dreams. Like iahklu’, Er’ perrehnne relates to dreaming and lacks a direct English translation. Orr first learns of the term in an effective dream where an Alien gives him advice about what to do when his dreams become chaotic and threatening. Er’ perrehnne has a calming, clarifying effect on Orr and enables him to coast effortlessly through his dreams. Saying Er’ perrehnne out loud and feeling its essence enables Orr to internalize the beliefs about effortless action, universal balance, and interconnectedness that are central to the Aliens’ philosophy of life, and that are required for a balanced, fulfilled existence both in the dream world and upon waking.

Er’ perrehnne Quotes in The Lathe of Heaven

The The Lathe of Heaven quotes below are all either spoken by Er’ perrehnne or refer to Er’ perrehnne. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
The Limits of Utilitarianism  Theme Icon
).
Chapter 11 Quotes

Orr slept. He dreamed. There was no rub. His dreams, like waves of the deep sea far from any shore, came and went, rose and fell, profound and harmless, breaking nowhere, changing nothing. They danced the dance among all the other waves in the sea of being. Through his sleep the great, green sea turtles dived, swimming with heavy, inexhaustible grace through the depths, in their element.

Related Characters: George Orr, Dr. William Haber, E’nememen Asfah
Related Symbols: Jellyfish , Water
Page Number: 178-179
Explanation and Analysis:
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Er’ perrehnne Term Timeline in The Lathe of Heaven

The timeline below shows where the term Er’ perrehnne appears in The Lathe of Heaven. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 9
The Limits of Utilitarianism  Theme Icon
Dreams and the Limitations of Knowledge  Theme Icon
Cosmic Balance  Theme Icon
Power and Selfishness  Theme Icon
...“before following directions leading in wrong directions, auxiliary forces may be summoned, in immediate-following fashion: Er’ perrehnne !” Orr repeats back the Alien word, gripped by a deep desire to understand the... (full context)
Chapter 10
The Limits of Utilitarianism  Theme Icon
Dreams and the Limitations of Knowledge  Theme Icon
Cosmic Balance  Theme Icon
Power and Selfishness  Theme Icon
...of logic. Orr makes a final plea to Haber to say the Alien word “ Er’ perrehnne ” before he uses the Augmentor on himself, which will give him “a little help... (full context)
Chapter 11
Dreams and the Limitations of Knowledge  Theme Icon
Cosmic Balance  Theme Icon
...To this, the Alien remarks, “you have lived well.” Orr and the Alien say “ er’ perrehnne ” to each other, and Orr gives in to sleep. His dreams ebb and flow... (full context)