Social Critique in Sci-Fi Novels Dune by Frank Herbert and The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

Abstract

This paper analyzes the elements of social critique in two works of science fiction: Dune by Frank Herbert and The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin. The theoretical part focuses on the definition and the history of the genre. Briefly, it also introduces the definition and use of social criticism. The goal of the analytical part is to locate the elements of social criticism in the two novels and comment on their interpretation. In the practical part, the presented understanding of the critique might be supported by secondary literature.