A Wizard of Earthsea | Literary Qualities

A Wizard of Earthsea Literary Qualities

Basic to the series is Le Guin's symbolic opposition between being and nonbeing, which is the fountain of creative energy in the universe of Earthsea. Ged encounters this opposition in his own division into self and Shadow. To grow up, he must find a way to see himself and his Shadow as parts of the same whole. He must understand that the forces of being and nonbeing cannot be resolved into a simple opposition of good and evil. While he must oppose nonbeing as if it were evil, he cannot wipe it out. Nonbeing cannot be defeated because it is one of the twin pillars of creation. Rather, Ged must understand the necessary balance between these two forces and learn his part in maintaining this balance. As a conscious and creative power, his role involves serving being and opposing nonbeing.

Within this overall structure, Le Guin sets up...
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