he World Inside and The Left Hand of Darkness

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             Due to Siegmund's quick rise in influence, the leaders then organize an orgy in order to "[judge] [Siegmund]. [Test] his compatibility: will he fit in with the elite"(157) by allowing him to engage in coitus with Nissim Shawke's wife. This is a key moment in Siegmund's career; in order for Siegmund to "live in Louisville, [he's] got to know how to play as well as work"(157). The leaders feel as if he has too many inhibitions invading the personal space of Nissim Shawke, there being too much respect for Shawke coupled with a lack of confidence in himself. Siegmund's timidness stems from his lightning growth of rank within the Urbmon and his young age. Nissim Shawke continually tortures Siegmund, as he is aware of Siegmund's apprehension of standing on equal footing with higher ranked personnel. But that won't do. Siegmund needs to prove that he can completely detach himself from the situation by immersing himself with 'tingles', akin to ecstasy, and sexual pleasures, in order to let the others know that he is one of them; however, even though they place Scylla on a silver platter, he fails this test by being unable to force himself onto Shawke's wife. Siegmund is unsuccessful in demonstrating that he can fall to a certain level of decadence that would deserve promotion into their ranks in this flawed society. Afterwards, Siegmund becomes disoriented and filled with anomie. Having potentially lost the only opportunity to reach the administrators of Urbmon 116, he wanders aimlessly as he attempts to seek help from the church and counselor. Not being able to find solace anywhere, even through night-walking, Siegmund realizes that he has no place left in the Urbmon 116 except to destroy himself. .
             In Le Guin's Left Hand of Darkness, two countries, Karhide and Oregoryn, are enemies on the planet Gethen. In an effort to recruit the planet Gethen into the intergalactic organization, "Ekumen", an envoy named Genly Ai is sent to the country of Karhide on a mission to convince the king, Argaven, with the help of the Prime Minister, Estraven.