The Word For World Is Forest

"The Word For World is Forest" by Ursala Le Guin is a book that was very difficult to get into. This book was very hard to understand because Le Guin expects readers to understand most of the vocabulary in the book and the double meaning of certain words were confusing. Although the double meaning of words were confusing, they held a purpose and significance for the theme of the book. The double meaning of the words shows the different perspectives of the characters. Lyubov  thinks of the Athsheans as men by calling them by their names which shows that he respects them. Lyvbov not only thinks of Athsheans as living species but he calls them men which shows a deeper connection he wanted to form by understanding and not harming them. Davidson on the other hand calls Athsheans creechies which sounds very harsh and uncaring. Although creechies isn't a real word, we can tell by just listening to the word that it doesn't have a proper meaning making it sound like an object instead of a living being. By learning the different perspectives of Lyubov and Davidson, the reader is awaken by the overall emphasis on humanity. We are able to see through these two characters the differences in characteristics and purpose that humans may have and what we are capable of doing.

-Alice Lee