The Lathe of Heaven

by

Ursula K. Le Guin

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Mount Hood Symbol Analysis

Mount Hood  Symbol Icon

Mount Hood symbolizes the current state of reality, as well as the Taoist concept of wu wei, or effortless action. Mount Hood is a constant presence throughout the novel, and the way it appears at any point in time is indicative of the condition of reality. For example, Mount Hood first appears as a mural that hangs on the wall in Haber’s office. At this point in the novel, Haber is a relatively unknown psychiatrist who isn’t important enough to have an office with a nice view, which is something he desperately wants—for the view itself, as well as the importance having an office with a view would convey to the world. During Orr’s first session with Haber, he has an effective dream that changes the mural to depict a horse instead of Mount Hood. In its absence, Mount Hood reflects the changed condition of reality, conveying the literal change that Orr’s dream imposes on the world; it also reflects Haber’s transformed attitude toward his patient Orr, whom he no longer regards as crazy, but as someone whose remarkable power he can exploit for personal and professional gain. When Haber later uses Orr’s effective dreams to improve his status, he gets a new office that boasts a massive window through which he can see the literal Mount Hood. Here, Mount Hood’s presence reflects Haber’s corruption. It also shows how Haber’s exploitation of Orr’s dreams is altering reality in increasingly visible, significant ways. Later still, when Orr dreams into existence an Alien invasion, Mount Hood is struck by a bomb, which transforms the formerly dormant mountain into an active, erupting volcano. Mount Hood’s eruption parallels the rising action of the novel, illustrating how damaged and fragmented reality has become. It also reflects the chaos that ensues when humans meddle with the universe’s natural balance. 

Mount Hood also symbolizes the Taoist concept of wu wei, or effortless action. When Mount Hood is dormant—when it is sleeping, or unconscious—it exists harmoniously within the larger, balanced universe: it and the universe are one entity, or “self is universe,” as an Aldebaranian Alien would say. The symbolically asleep Mount Hood operates in a way that enables it to exist effortlessly and peacefully within the universe. When the stray bomb awakens Mount Hood, however, the balance and effortlessness it experienced in “unconsciousness” gives way to the disruptive action of “consciousness.” The destruction the active volcano brings about thus symbolizes the chaos and suffering that ensue when a person’s conscious thoughts and actions inhibit them from existing in unconscious harmony with the universe. Mount Hood continues to erupt until the end of the novel, when Orr defeats Haber and restores the universe to a state of coherent balance. 

Mount Hood Quotes in The Lathe of Heaven

The The Lathe of Heaven quotes below all refer to the symbol of Mount Hood . For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
The Limits of Utilitarianism  Theme Icon
).
Chapter 2  Quotes

Goddamn but he wished he could afford an office with a window with a view!

Related Characters: George Orr, Dr. William Haber
Related Symbols: Mount Hood
Page Number: 25
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 3 Quotes

“I am sure now that your therapy lies in this direction, to use your dreams, not to evade and avoid them. To face your fear and, with my help, see it through. You’re afraid of your own mind, George.”

Related Characters: Dr. William Haber (speaker), George Orr
Related Symbols: Mount Hood
Page Number: 31
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 9 Quotes

“Volcanoes emit fire.”

Related Characters: George Orr (speaker), Dr. William Haber
Related Symbols: Mount Hood
Page Number: 149
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 10 Quotes

“They are of the dream time. I don’t understand it, I can’t say it in words. Everything dreams. The play of form, of being, is the dreaming of substance. Rocks have their dreams, and the earth changes … But when the mind becomes conscious, when the rate of evolution speeds up, then you have to be careful. Careful of the world. You must learn the way. You must learn the skills, the art, the limits. A conscious mind must be part of the whole, intentionally and carefully—as the rock is part of the whole unconsciously. Do you see? Does it mean anything to you?”

Related Characters: George Orr (speaker), Dr. William Haber, Heather Lelache, Tiua’k Ennbe Ennbe
Related Symbols: Mount Hood
Page Number: 167-168
Explanation and Analysis:
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Mount Hood Symbol Timeline in The Lathe of Heaven

The timeline below shows where the symbol Mount Hood appears in The Lathe of Heaven. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2 
Power and Selfishness  Theme Icon
...the Efficiency Suite of the Willamette East Tower.  Haber doesn’t have a real view of Mount Hood , but there’s a photographic mural of the mountain on one of the walls. Haber,... (full context)
The Limits of Utilitarianism  Theme Icon
Dreams and the Limitations of Knowledge  Theme Icon
Cosmic Balance  Theme Icon
Power and Selfishness  Theme Icon
...Haber if the horse photo has been there the entire time: hadn’t the mural depicted Mount Hood before his dream about the horse? Haber suddenly remembers the other photo and realizes that... (full context)
Chapter 3
The Limits of Utilitarianism  Theme Icon
Dreams and the Limitations of Knowledge  Theme Icon
Cosmic Balance  Theme Icon
Power and Selfishness  Theme Icon
...The horse defecated, depositing onto Haber’s rug a “tremendous pile of [dung]” that vaguely resembled Mount Hood . (full context)
The Limits of Utilitarianism  Theme Icon
Dreams and the Limitations of Knowledge  Theme Icon
Cosmic Balance  Theme Icon
Power and Selfishness  Theme Icon
Orr looks behind Haber and sees that Mount Hood is back on the wall. Haber doesn’t seem to notice the change, though he’s immensely... (full context)
Chapter 8
Dreams and the Limitations of Knowledge  Theme Icon
Cosmic Balance  Theme Icon
...Alien ships reroute the missiles, sending them crashing back down to Oregon. An AABM hits Mount Hood , which causes the dormant volcano to become active and erupt later that day. Portland’s... (full context)
Chapter 9
Cosmic Balance  Theme Icon
The only problem left unsolved from the previous continuum is Mount Hood ’s transformation into an active volcano, though in this reality, its awakening was naturally occurring... (full context)
The Limits of Utilitarianism  Theme Icon
Dreams and the Limitations of Knowledge  Theme Icon
Cosmic Balance  Theme Icon
Power and Selfishness  Theme Icon
...declares, “this world will be like heaven, and men will be like gods!” Orr mumbles “volcanoes emit fire” beneath his breath, but Haber doesn’t hear him. Orr leaves and promises to... (full context)
Chapter 10
Dreams and the Limitations of Knowledge  Theme Icon
Cosmic Balance  Theme Icon
Power and Selfishness  Theme Icon
...he can hear him. Orr nods. Haber gives Orr a hypnosuggestion to dream that the Mount Hood mural is on the office wall. Haber finishes his suggestion and says “Antwerp,” which is... (full context)
Dreams and the Limitations of Knowledge  Theme Icon
Cosmic Balance  Theme Icon
Power and Selfishness  Theme Icon
Haber asks Orr to recall his dream. Orr correctly remembers the dream about the Mount Hood mural on the wall behind Heather; Haber notes that the wall is bare. Of the... (full context)
The Limits of Utilitarianism  Theme Icon
Dreams and the Limitations of Knowledge  Theme Icon
Cosmic Balance  Theme Icon
Power and Selfishness  Theme Icon
...The funicular moves too fast and doesn’t stop. As it climbs higher into the sky, Mount Hood comes into view, and they spot the volcano just as it erupts. Heather thinks back... (full context)
The Limits of Utilitarianism  Theme Icon
Dreams and the Limitations of Knowledge  Theme Icon
Cosmic Balance  Theme Icon
Power and Selfishness  Theme Icon
...walks through the streets and ends up in northeast Portland. Orr can see the dormant Mount Hood in the distance, its eruption never having occurred. Orr trudges forward, though he’s exhausted and... (full context)