For this blog post, I will discuss the passage early on in Chapter 1 of The Dispossessed. This passage states,
“–So he sees me- how? As a dangerous atheist. An atheist! Why?
–Why, because you’re an Odonian from Anarres- there’s no religion on Anarres.
–No religion? Are we stones on Anarres?
-I mean established religion- churches, creeds.” (p. 14)
In today’s society many people feel threatened by atheism. People often wonder where your morals and ethics come from. People do not understand how you can choose from right and wrong if you do not believe in a god. The question is often asked, what’s keeping you from doing bad things? Shevek is perceived as an atheist because he comes from a planet that does not have an established religion. Dr. Kimoe sees this as a foreign ideology. If Anarres does not have an established religion then everyone must be atheists.
There is a pressure to be classified as something. Shevek needs to be classified as an atheist even though he isn’t an atheist. Shevek comes from a planet that doesn’t have an established religion. In the passage, it does not clarify whether he has any specific beliefs.
Since Shevek is not from an established religion, it could be perceived as dangerous to others. He is a foreigner in Urras. Urras has an established religion and that makes Shevek an alien. He is perceived to be a foreigner because it is seen that he does not have the same morals and ethics as the people of Urras. When you have an established religion there are not only expectations but criticisms of anyone that is different. When someone comes into a new setting with a group of people who have a different set of morals and ethics there will be an uneasiness.
I find this concept very interesting. The first thought I had when reading your post was the difference between religion and spirituality. I think there is a tendency for people of Urras to associate religion only with organized religion; as noted in your passage, “churches, creeds” are fundamental concepts for religion to be legitimate. I see this convention in the United States as well. Perhaps what the people of Urras don’t recognize is religion through the means of spirituality. Just because Annares doesn’t have an established religious system, as Urras and the United States do, doesn’t mean that the people of Annares are any less spiritual. Shevek’s, and the Annarasti people’s, resistance to classify themselves within the confines of a Urrasti institution certainly causes Shevek to be alienated. Another point that you bring up is the seeming misunderstanding and rejection of Annarsti culture, practices and customs as Shevek enters Urras. This is exemplified by the religion conversation you quoted. More so than just religion, Urrasti people find fault with many of the fundamental values and ways of life on Annares. Although some Urrasti Shevek encounters engage him in questions and desire to know more about the anarchists on Annares, I think that much of the dialogue is hostile, as Shevek presents a radically different way of living.
I think the passage you chose to analyze is very interesting but what I believe what you failed to address is what Le Guin was trying to address about society. I believe that she is a very intentional writer who has strong opinions about today’s society. While it would impossible to truly understand her exact motives with out asking Ursula herself, I believe she was commenting on how religion acts as a dividing force. In my eyes one of the purposes of religion is to bring people together and to establish a more connected society based on morals. Yet, many times religion allows individuals to make rash assumptions about another person’s morality or ideas just because they do not follow the same faith. This is a pretty ironic conundrum. Religion is supposed to make the world a better, more forgiving place but many times it divides people and causes conflict.
-A dangerous atheist
Madison, I like how you pointed out that the people of Urras are wary of Shevek because he “presents a radically different way of living,” and I think that fear comes back to walls. The people of Urras, similar to people in our own society, need to have laws, rules, and institutions in order to be comfortable and understand how to live. Urrastati need walls dividing and defining each aspect of their lives. Take the religion example, the walls created by formal religious institutions block and ignore other ways of thinking while clearly defining what is the “right” thing to believe. Take down those walls and spirituality has no boundaries, can cross religions and cultures, and be radically different from another person’s thoughts. And people are afraid of differences. Therefore, every aspect of society on Anarres is scary to them since there are very few walls to keep people’s thoughts on the same path. So not only do the Urrastati not know much about life on Anarres but whatever concept they try to understand within their walls doesn’t fit in Odonian society.