Sci-fi stories are normally more concerned with the conflict between alien races than ones here on earth. But in The Lathe of Heaven, racial issues take center stage, because even though the world is a hot mess and is constantly on the brink of being destroyed, this novel is here to tell you that no time is the wrong time for a little interracial romance. More seriously, though, this romance brings up a lot of questions about the role of race and culture in our world. In the world George experiences, the end of racism also means the end of culture as we know it. The question is: is it worth it?
Questions About Race
- Is the treatment of Heather Lelache's character in The Lathe of Heaven racist? Why or why not?
- What is the effect of turning everyone gray in The Lathe of Heaven? Is it good or bad? What are the good aspects? What are the bad aspects?
- What role did Heather's parents play in the civil rights movement in The Lathe of Heaven? How is that period depicted?
Chew on This
Race is a complex and complicated subject in The Lathe of Heaven.
The world is a much more boring place without race and culture in The Lathe of Heaven.