I remember reading A Wizard of Earthsea when I was in high school (or was it middle school?). The scene that stayed with me the most was the one atop the hill near Roke in which Ged tried to summon the dead and in the process brought into the world a shadow beast. I do not remember if I read the book in its entirety but I do remember having the feeling that the shadow beast was a part of Ged in some way. This scene that stayed in my mind was what made me want to read it again. As it did when I first read it, Le Guin's style of writing and the way she began the tale of Ged from his childhood made me want to continue reading. I wanted to learn more about Ged and his lifestyle and about the place he lived. The geography in his world seemed to be a very important aspect of the story. Le Guin connects each place Ged visits to a lesson he learns. Though I am afraid the deeper meanings behind the story may be lost to most who read it during adolescence, I believe the main theme of the story remains with the reader: learning how to keep balanced the good and evil in oneself, which in turn keeps the world in balance.
Believable characters are what make a story most imprinted in one's mind. Ged is a very believable character, whose emotions were clear to see. The reader almost seems to grow up with him. The reader experiences along with him the wonder of magic and the words that are used along with enchantment. The reader wants to learn all the words, hoping to control everything around them as Ged seems to be able to, thinking that magic may help Ged be able to do whatever he wants. However, as Ged grows and lives with Ogion, a renowned wizard, and experiences life at the school of wizardry at Roke Isle, the reader learns that knowledge of these words isn't the only thing that makes wizards powerful, it is knowing when to use these words.
The main theme of A Wizard of Earthsea was evident in many of the scenes of the story. Such as within the scene in which the Master Hand, one of the teachers in the school for wizards, tells Ged of the balance of the world: "The world is in balance, in Equilibrium. A wizard's power ... can shake the balance of the world. It is dangerous, that power. It is most perilous. It must follow knowledge, and serve need. To light a candle is to cast a shadow..." (44). The balance of the world was very important in the world of Earthsea and wizards were important players in keeping the world balanced, which Ged learned the hard way. What appeared to be most important in the end was accepting the part of oneself that has "evil" emotions, such as pride and envy, in it. I think this aspect of the story would help adolescents come to terms with themselves and who they are. It helps the reader learn that one must accept oneself before trying to help bring peace to the world around them.
Le Guin writes a fantasy book with, I believe, the most important apects of its genre: magic and escapism. Every chapter of the book involves one character or another using magic, and furthers Ged's journey of learning about magic. Le Guin shows the reader that magic is a deep source of power that comes with consequences. Magic must be used appropriately and never wasted. With magic, a wizard may learn of the history of his world and its language. The power of magic helps the reader escape into the world of Earthsea and travel with Ged along the many seas of Earthsea.
Although I believe A Wizard of Earthsea is most appropriate for those who like to view the word in a very mature and deep way, there are parts of the book that make it perfect for a young adult audience, such as the wonder of magic. As a writer, what I would love to take away from this wonderful work of literature is they style of writing and how Le Guin makes the fictional world's geography an important part of the main character's life. As a reader of young adult fiction, I would love to recommend it to anyone who loves wizards and magic.
Works Cited
Le Guin, Ursula K. A Wizard of Earthsea. New York, NY: Bantam Dell, 2004. Print.
