The Lathe Of Heaven

The conflict between George and Haber is a debate between two distinct views of the acquisition and use of power. Typically, a narrative about struggle over the will to power focuses upon two different characters or forces, each of which desires to possess some type of power. One of the two main characters in the narrative, George, possesses vast power and does not want it or intend to use it. The other character, Haber, wants to use the power George has and ultimately attempts to possess that power for himself. Le Guin endeavors to show that the distinction between them is vast. Haber is a large, bearish, voluble person who is convinced from the outset that what he is doing is for the betterment of others. He is certain his judgments and direction are correct even when the pursuit of them has catastrophic results. In contrast, George is an average, unassuming, passive individual. In the face of Haber’s complete certainty, George has only doubt: he wonders about his mental state and reliability ; he wonders if Haber understands that his dreams change things; he wonders if Haber really means to cure him; and he wonders if he should comply or resist. The only element the two men have in common is isolation. As the narrative progresses and Haber acquire greater authority, he becomes almost completely isolated. George gains the support of Heather and then of the aliens. Communal connection convinces George to stand against Haber’s utilitarian schemes.

Each of the men wrestles with power. Haber cajoles, manipulates, deceives, and outright lies about his work in order to maintain authority over George. He prevents George from remembering what he suggests while under hypnosis. He uses the legal system to prevent George from escaping his control. Though he assures himself that his work is for the betterment of all humanity, Haber enriches, empowers, and glorifies himself. He places great social distance between himself and George, thinking that no authority would question the motives or actions of such an influential, powerful man. Haber’s ultimate aggrandizement comes in the form of an institute for dream study. Le Guin intends this to reveal the extent of Haber’s grandiosity. In one scene, Haber relates to George that he has always dreamed of being the hero, through which the author implies that the will to power and the extent of Haber’s excess has always lurked. Ultimately, it is his acquisition of complete power that brings about Haber’s downfall.

In contrast, George’s awareness of the unlimited power he possesses fills him with dread. While Haber deceives everyone he interacts with, including himself, George’s problem is he cannot find anyone with whom he can share the truth. He complains to Heather that anyone to whom he tells the truth will think that he is unwell. Thus, he keeps the reality of his power to himself and struggles to find a way to keep himself from dreaming. His goal is to abstain from any use of the incredible power he possesses. From the beginning, George warns Haber against using his dreams. George’s fear and shame—having brought about first the death of his aunt and then the depopulation of the planet—causes him to self-isolate. Relief comes for George when he trusts Heather to help him employ his power, resulting in the presence of aliens, who completely understand the problem that he is facing. With their help, he acquires a way to put the brakes on his power and, as he quotes from the words of the popular song, he gets “by with a little help from [his] friends” (157). Le Guin implies that a sustainable will to power comes from the bottom-up among community, rather than the top-down of an isolated individual with privilege and social prestige.