Exploring Ursula K. Le Guin's 'She Unnames Them'

Veronica·

Literature

Preview

At a Glance

Grade Level10th Grade

SubjectLiterature

Original Prompt

MOST of them accepted namelessness with the perfect indifference with which they had so long accepted and ignored their names. Whales and dolphins, seals and sea otters consented with particular grace and alacrity, sliding into anonymity as into their element. A faction of yaks, however, protested. They said that “yak” sounded right, and that almost everyone who knew they existed called them that. Unlike the ubiquitous creatures such as rats and fleas, who had been called by hundreds or thousand...

This learning resource provides a comprehensive analysis of Ursula K. Le Guin's short story 'She Unnames Them,' which examines themes of language, identity, and power through a reimagining of the Genesis creation narrative. The story's narrator decides to return the names of various animals, prompting a profound exploration of what names signify and their role in relationships between humans and animals. The resource features guided annotation prompts encouraging readers to engage closely with the text, critical thinking questions about language and identity, and opportunities for written responses that promote synthesis and deeper comprehension of the story's central ideas. Vocabulary words, key symbols, and thematic interpretations are also included to enhance understanding.