![Book Review: Does Ged Overcome His Pride? – A Wizard of Earthseed by Ursula K. Le Guin](http://frannieheh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/81VxGPk9YFL.jpg)
Book Review: Does Ged Overcome His Pride? – A Wizard of Earthseed by Ursula K. Le Guin
Saint Augustine once said, “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” In the novel A Wizard of Earthseed by Ursula K. Le Guin, it talks about the life of a young wizard named Ged who is very powerful, but is also too prideful. Later on in the story, his pride leads him to create a shadow that chases him day and night. As the story goes on, Ged slowly overcomes his pride through his experiences as a wizard.
Ged first starts overcoming his youthful pride after waking up from a coma. Ged had previously been trying to summon a spirit in order to show Jasper he was the better wizard. Unfortunately, the spell went out of hand and it created a deadly shadow that almost killed Ged. After waking up from the coma, his original light and lithe and strong personality was gone. As stated in the book, “Now, [Ged] lamed by pain, he went hesitantly, and did not raise his face” (91, Guin). Readers can clearly see Ged’s change from the confident wizard he once was, to one who held his head down and kept quiet. Though Ged isn’t as prideful as before, his humbleness is partly created by melancholy and pain. As a result, he is still on the journey to overcoming his prideful self.
Another instance that shows Ged’s growth as a character in overcoming his pride is when he returned to his first master, Ogion. Before, Ged had looked down upon Ogion and was upset Ogion hadn’t taught him any spells. The once prideful Ged wanted to learn more so badly, that he left Ogion to go to the wizardry school. Years later, he finally came back to Ogion after being chased by his shadow. Even though he spent years learning wizardry, instead of showing it off, the first thing Ged said to Ogion was very humble. He said, “I have come back to you as I left: a fool” (313, Guin). This quote shows a big difference in his character. While before Ged loved to show off his powers, he now admitted that he wasn’t as strong and powerful as he claimed to be. Readers can clearly see Ged’s growth in becoming a more mature wizard.
Ged finally overcomes his pride near the end, when he confronts his shadow. He had been riding in a boat with his friend Vetch, trying their best to find the shadow and catch it. When they finally reach it, Ged realizes that the shadow is his own dark side. Instead of being ashamed of it, he embraces his dark side and faults. With courage, he calls out the shadow’s name: Ged. The shadow finally disappears and Ged is at peace. Though admiting the shadow is his own, Ged finally overcomes his childhood pride. While before he would refuse to admit it isn’t perfect, after years of wizardry and his curse, he has become more humble.
Through multiple difficult lessons such as being in a coma, running from his shadow, and later chasing it, Ged slowly learns to overcome his pride and embrace his faults. In the end, Ged shows how while pridefulness is a difficult journey, it is an important one to complete. Ged is a wonderful example for the readers to realize that: no matter how big someone’s faults are, it’s important to chase after them, fix them, and embrace them.