The Left Hand of Darkness: Chapter 11 Summary & Analysis

This chapter is made up of Estraven’s diary entries. He first relates intrigue in the Thirty-Three. He is aligned with Obsle and Yegey, who are Open Traders, of which there are only seven. Obsle thinks ten more could be convinced to vote with them to consider Ai’s mission seriously. One man, Commensal Ithepen of the Enyen District, wants to join with Karhide to invite Ai’s spaceship down, but Estraven knows Orgoreyn will not collaborate with Karhide. Estraven, who had brought Ai to Orgoreyn and tried to get others to trust him, is not sure that the majority of the Thirty-Three can be convinced.

Estraven knows the Sarf contingent in the Thirty-Three fears the Envoy, and thinks he is a hoax. They worry if they call down his spaceship it will not come and they will look foolish. Estraven realizes that “Genly Ai demands of us an inordinate trustfulness,” though to him “evidently it is not inordinate.”

Estraven is thankful for Ashe’s money, which allows him to live as a “unit” and not a “dependent.” He distances himself from Obsle and other members of government. He is angry at how Ai gave him the money, “as one would give a hired assassin his fee.” He meant to insult Ai by giving him advice, an insult Ai didn’t understand. It concerns Estraven that Ai is so oblivious. He worries that Ai had been seeking his advice for months, and had misinterpreted much of what Estraven had told him. Estraven realizes Ai’s shifgrethor is totally different than most Gethenians, a trait that has kept him ignorant.

Estraven begins to see that Ai is not arrogant, but ignorant, and that he, in turn, is ignorant of Ai. He commits to controlling his own pride and vanity so as not to jeopardize Ai’s mission. 

During the day Estraven works in a plastic factory and practices fasting, and in the afternoon he works on improving his dothe-strength. He wonders why he even bothers to write in his diary. He thinks maybe it is just nice to write in Karhidish, his native language.

A few days later, Estraven writes again. Ai has not been mentioned on the radio. He wonders if Ai understands that the Orgoreyn government is full of secrets. Yesterday Orgoreyn attacked a Karhidish granary, and Estraven reflects this is what Tibe and the Sarf want.

A few days later Estraven writes that he’s becoming more uneasy. Ai has still not been mentioned on the radio. Although Ai is taken publicly through the city, Estraven sees this as deception. The people of Orgoreyn do not know of him. He is seen but not known, and so he is hidden. Estraven thinks it is unfortunate that Ai blends in. However, Estraven knows that upon close examination Ai’s biology is different, and reflects, “one must know him to know him alien.” Estraven urges Obsle to speak out, but he has a thousand excuses and will not.

The next day, Estraven comments that he thinks Gaum is stupid for believing that Ai is a fraud. Gaum has also noticed that Yegey is no longer invested in him, and thinks Estraven’s loyalty can be bought.

Gaum notices Estraven is about to go into kemmer, and so induces his own kemmer. He intersects Estraven in the street and tries to seduce him, using his given (informal) name. Estraven resists, noting that “detestation” overrides any arousal he feels. He is uneasy that Gaum thinks him so easily manipulated. 

The next day, Ai gives a speech to the Thirty-Three. Estraven is not invited, but Obsle plays him a tape of the meeting. Estraven thinks Ai is innocent but clearly disciplined with a “largeness of purpose that awes” him. He sees that Ai has become a better speaker since his time in Karhide, and notes his task is profound and immense, difficult for a man to carry. Throughout the recording are interruptions by some of the Thirty-Three, many of them who think Ai a fraud, but Ai handles himself well. Estraven is frustrated that, although he set these events in motion, he no longer has any control.

The next day, Estraven notes Ai’s transmitting device has been turned over to the Thirty-Three. Estraven suggests to Obsle they communicate with Ai’s spaceship, but Obsle claims the radio, run by Sarf, would block or falsify the transmission. Estraven can see the tide is turning, and knows if Obsle calls off a planned reception for Ai the situation is truly dire. The next day the reception is called off.

Estraven goes to meet Ai by his house. He pretends it is a chance meeting, “Orgota style.” Estraven warns him that if he is not allowed to contact his ship by Obsle or Yegey, he should call it down himself. He warns Ai his life is under threat, but Ai doesn’t respond. Estraven believes the Orgota too narrow-minded to understand what Ai has to offer. He worries everything is falling apart and blames himself.