KEMMER Meaning and
Definition
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Kemmer is a term commonly used in the science fiction genre, particularly in the works of Ursula K. Le Guin, and it refers to a unique reproductive cycle or sexual activity found in the fictional planet Gethen. In Le Guin's novel "The Left Hand of Darkness," kemmer is a biological process that allows individuals to shift from an essentially genderless state to a sexually active state, where they can either take on the role of a male or a female, depending on their partner.
During kemmer, individuals experience intense sexual urges and seek out a partner to engage in sexual activity. This process is not limited by gender or fixed sexual roles seen in many other species, as individuals can assume either role during kemmer. The shift is not defined by any specific time interval but is rather triggered by external factors or the presence of other kemmering individuals.
The term kemmer can also be used more broadly to refer to sexual activity or to describe the state of being sexually active and receptive. It reflects the fluidity and ambiguity of gender and sexuality that exists in Le Guin's fictional world of Gethen.
Through the concept of kemmer, Le Guin explores and challenges traditional notions of gender, highlighting the potential for variability and non-binary forms of sexuality. It serves as a key aspect of the social, cultural, and biological framework of Gethen, contributing to the complexity and richness of Le Guin's imagined world.
Etymology of KEMMER
The term "kemmer" has its origins in the science fiction novels of Ursula K. Le Guin, specifically in her "Hainish Cycle" series. In these books, particularly in "The Left Hand of Darkness", Le Guin portrays a fictional world called Gethen, where individuals are androgynous most of the time but can enter a state of sexual receptivity and become either male or female during their monthly cycle called "kemmer".
Le Guin herself has stated that she constructed the word "kemmer" by combining the English word "come" (in a sexual context) and the German word "immer" (meaning "always" or "forever").
Similar spelling words for KEMMER
