A Wizard of Earthsea

A Wizard of Earthsea

• Genre: Fiction; young adult fantasy
• Originally Published: 1968
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 1150L; grades 6-12
• Structure/Length: 10 chapters; approximately 183 pages; approximately 5 hours, 39 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The story follows Ged, a boy with innate magical abilities, who, in his pride, releases a shadow creature and must learn to confront and rectify his mistake. Set in the archipelago of Earthsea, the novel delves into Ged's journey to maturity and self-understanding while exploring themes of power, balance, and the cost of tampering with natural laws.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Depictions of magical combat; themes of fear and death; moments of danger and suspense

Ursula K. Le Guin, Author

• Bio: Born 1929; died 2018; renowned American author; known for her speculative fiction; often explored themes of society, culture, and gender in her work; named Grandmaster of Science Fiction and Fantasy; one of the few women recognized early in the field; her works continue to be highly influential in the genre
• Other Works: The Left Hand of Darkness (1969); The Tombs of Atuan (1971); The Farthest Shore (1972); The Dispossessed (1974); Tehanu (1990)
• Awards: The Boston Globe Book Award (1969); the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award (1979); the Golden Sepulka Award in Poland (1984)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• The Limits and Responsibilities of Power
• The Importance and Power of Agency
• The Uncanny Double

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Guide, students will:

• Deepen knowledge of the fantasy genre through exploration of its common themes, archetypes, and structures.
• Discuss and analyze textual elements such as symbolism, characterization, and structure through constructed essay responses related to the novel’s themes of The Limits and Responsibilities of Power, The Importance and Power of Agency, and The Uncanny Double.
• Identify the structural and stylistic elements of fantasy and the monomyth alongside paired texts to analyze where Le Guin embraces or subverts genre-specific traits and archetypes.
• Explore and evaluate Le Guin’s rendering of the monomyth/hero’s journey by visually charting Ged’s journey and comparing it to the journey of another hero of choice from popular culture or literature.