The Question of Humanity

In Ursula Le Guin's The Word for World is Forrest, Le Guin specifically states that the Athsheans are related to Earth's humans. These Athsheans have successfully created a society without unnecessary violence, brutal crimes, or murder. In the novel the Earth-born humans establish colonies on this world and many believe themselves to be superior to the Athsheans as the Terrans own and operate more advanced technology. The Terrans, however, introduce rape, murder, and enslavement to the Athsheans as they pillage New Tahiti. When confronted about their wrongdoings some plead that to destroy and attack are merely human nature. Should this be true, the Athsheans, who are also humans, would also have these horrible crimes in their societies. Ursula Le Guin uses the Athsheans and their, originally, peaceful society to demonstrate that "human nature" is not an excuse to do as one pleases, and implies that it is not 'human' to plunder and attack with malice. Humanity is not a condition we must suffer through and occasionally cannot control. With this book Ursula Le Guin implies that "human nature" is not a valid excuse for unforgivable wrongs.