Le Guin's magic in the context of Taoism: reading A Wizard of Earthsea

Abstract

This research examines the role of magic in fantasy fiction, with a particular emphasis on Ursula K. Le Guin's A Wizard of Earthsea (1968). The research shows how the concept of balance is essential to the coming-of-age tale of a young wizard's development into a responsible adult through qualitative thematic analysis of the themes of true name, voyage, and shadow in the novel. The theoretical foundation for analyzing Le Guin's magic is derived from the Taoist philosophy and the Jungian theory of wholeness. Le Guin's portrayal of magic emphasizes the Taoist idea of balance that is realized through the interconnectedness of opposites by showing how mastering magic equips the wizard with knowledge that helps him to see things' real meanings. By choosing the road of balance, the wizard is able to face and reconcile with his darkness, which leads to mental development and completeness. The study's findings support the idea that magic, with its philosophical underpinnings, acts as an internal force that drives the wizard into spiritual maturity and marks a key turning point in the story. A Wizard of Earthsea offers a distinctive viewpoint on the function of magic in the fantasy genre by examining binary interactions within a framework of balance and wholeness.