The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. LeGuin Essay - 568 Words

Sometimes your dreams seem better than reality; sometimes they can be worse than your nightmares. In Ursula K. LeGuin’s The Lathe of Heaven, we follow the character George Orr as his dreams alter the reality of his dystopian world. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. After an attempt to control his subconscious with drugs, George Orr is forced to attend sessions of psychotherapy with a man named Dr. Haber, the antagonist of the story. He discovers Orr’s ability to dream a new reality and tries to use the power for the greater good of Earth by manipulating Orr’s dreams with an â€Å"Augmentor†. As the new reality begins taking shape throughout the story, the dreams rapidly become more destructive. George also hires an†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬ËœI suppose that you suggested that there be no more color problems. No question of race.’ † In trying to abolish racism, everyone’s skin is turned gray. No African Americans, no white people. This complicates things when the dream creates a reality where Heather Lelache no longer exists. George cannot let this new normal stand, as the love of his life is now non-existent. Without an issue like this getting in the way, ridding the world of racism is quite a brilliant idea. After previous failed experiments, Haber decides to shoot for all-around world peace. â€Å"Presently he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder. ‘Bad time again? Damn, I thought I’d let you off easy. Told you to dream about peace.’,† Haber says to George. This also proves to be a problem as dreams can never be exactly as we wish they could be. In dreaming about world peace, it is accomplished. However, there is only peace on Earth because there is distress beyond the planet. Aliens are invading the moon, which results in a war between mankind and the extraterrestrials. This unites Earth in peace to fight another species. Seen in all the exa mples, Haber wishes to fix big problems. They just never went right. If Haber had not lost this mind within the power and chaos, he could have been seen as a noble, unsung hero. HisShow MoreRelated Ursula K. LeGuins The Lathe of Heaven and Science Fiction and the Future1234 Words   |  5 PagesUrsula K. LeGuins The Lathe of Heaven and Science Fiction and the Future What will happen in a couple of days? a month ? a year? or twenty years from now? The answer is not known. Author Ursula K. LeGuin gives us the answers about the future from her point of view which can be seen through her article Science Fiction and the Future and her novel, The Lathe of Heaven. Ursula K. LeGuin believes people try to control the future they may have when in reality they have no control over the futureRead MoreThe Dystopian Novel Of Literature2214 Words   |  9 Pagesacross Other Dystopian Texts Along with Fahrenheit 451 another book that continues to bend the minds of readers is The Lathe of Heaven. The Lathe of Heaven is a dystopian/science fiction novel written by Ursula K. LeGuin. In the novel, LeGuin created a character named George Orr who has a supernatural power. The power to turn his dreams into a reality. In the beginning of the book LeGuin lets the reader know that George has been taking pills that would keep him from falling asleep. George was avoidingRead More Perfection in Ursula LeGuins The Lathe of Heaven Essay1933 Words   |  8 PagesPerfection in Ursula LeGuins The Lathe of Heaven Is there such a place where ideal perfection exists? Can our views on social, political, and moral issues ever concur with one another? The answer to these questions is simple - no. The world we live in today is full of social, political, and moral imperfections that hinder our ability to live a life free of evil. In Ursula LeGuins The Lathe of Heaven, this imperfect lifestyle is the foundation on which the desire for a utopian society sits