The Word for World is Forest

by

Ursula K. Le Guin

Terran Term Analysis

Terran is a term for humans from Terra (Earth), while humans from other planets are non-Terran humans.

Terran Quotes in The Word for World is Forest

The The Word for World is Forest quotes below are all either spoken by Terran or refer to Terran. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Violence, War, and Colonization Theme Icon
).
Chapter Three Quotes

“No,” said the Cetian. “That’s done with. A colony like this had to believe what passing ships and outdated radio-messages told them. Now you don’t. You can verify. We are going to give you the ansible destined for Prestno. We have League authority to do so. Received, of course, by ansible. Your colony here is in a bad way. Worse than I thought from your reports. Your reports are very incomplete; censorship or stupidity have been at work. Now, however, you’ll have the ansible, and can talk with your Terran Administration; you can ask for orders, so you’ll know how to proceed. Given the profound changes that have been occurring in the organization of the Terran Government since we left there, I should recommend that you do so at once. There is no longer any excuse for acting on outdated orders; for ignorance; for irresponsible autonomy.”

Related Characters: Mr. Or (speaker), Don Davidson
Related Symbols: The Ansible
Page Number: 80-81
Explanation and Analysis:
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The Word for World is Forest PDF

Terran Term Timeline in The Word for World is Forest

The timeline below shows where the term Terran appears in The Word for World is Forest. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter Three
Communication and Translation Theme Icon
...Commander Yung and some men in non-Navy uniforms. Lyubov is surprised to see they are non-Terran humans. When he introduces himself, he finds that one of the men is a Hairy... (full context)
Violence, War, and Colonization Theme Icon
Lepennon admits that he misunderstood, as he thought “creechie” was the name for a lesser Terran caste. He’d assumed the Athsheans were nonviolent, which makes him more confused than ever about... (full context)
Violence, War, and Colonization Theme Icon
Communication and Translation Theme Icon
...where the humans keep the Athsheans prisoner, but Lepennon and Or wouldn’t know anything about Terran colonies. Lyubov wonders why Lepennon and Or are at this meeting and whether Yung wanted... (full context)
Violence, War, and Colonization Theme Icon
...Or asks how many of each race there are, and Gosse says there are 2,641 Terrans and three million natives. Or laughs, saying that the colonists should’ve considered this disparity in... (full context)
Violence, War, and Colonization Theme Icon
...since this colony has clearly censored their reports. Now, the colony can directly ask the Terran Administration for orders, which will prevent any future catastrophes. Lyubov is somewhat afraid, since it’s... (full context)
Chapter Four
Violence, War, and Colonization Theme Icon
...Earth are more practical than this. The Cetians are probably trying to take over the Terran Government, and the Hainish are in on it, since “rats help rats.” They’re planning to... (full context)
Violence, War, and Colonization Theme Icon
...they were dangerous. Davidson also tells them that the humanoids want to wipe out the Terrans who are here for their own benefit, and that humans are outnumbered by creechies, which... (full context)
Chapter Five
Violence, War, and Colonization Theme Icon
...for their lands, like Athshe (Forest/World). To the Athsheans, the forest makes up their world. Terrans think of the earth differently. (full context)
Violence, War, and Colonization Theme Icon
Nature and Ecology Theme Icon
...the Athshean nature could have altered so quickly, since this particular town has never encountered Terrans or been enslaved. Apparently, just hearing about the attacks changed them, which seemed impossible to... (full context)
Communication and Translation Theme Icon
...god now. Lyubov wanted to believe that Selver’s rejection was just because Lyubov was a Terran, but the reason for the rejection was irrelevant; it hurt no matter what. As Lyubov... (full context)
Gender and Masculinity Theme Icon
The sight of Sherrar’s hop was somewhat funny. Terrans react so negatively to Athsheans because of their size and their similarity to human appearance,... (full context)
Communication and Translation Theme Icon
...while working in the camp, because they had to adjust their dreaming to fit the Terran workday. Sam was one of the few who adapted, and Lyubov used him as an... (full context)
Violence, War, and Colonization Theme Icon
Gender and Masculinity Theme Icon
Lyubov sees a Terran girl standing in a doorway, paralyzed with fear. He runs over, pries her from the... (full context)
Chapter Eight
Violence, War, and Colonization Theme Icon
...and rest under a tree, and the ship’s Commander (Yung) approaches Selver, saying that the Terrans will soon be taken away and that this world won’t be a colony anymore. No... (full context)
Violence, War, and Colonization Theme Icon
Communication and Translation Theme Icon
...on Athshe. He says that Lyubov’s work is now finished, as Athshe is free of Terrans. Selver is more nervous than ever, because Lepennon talks like a Great Dreamer. Lepennon asks... (full context)