Though teachers play an important role in all three of the Earthsea books, this novel places special emphasis on the role of the wise mentor. Learning to overcome the fear of death requires a teacher steeped in the wisdom of the culture. In many ways Ged is presented as a model teacher, one who carefully chooses what to say, what to demonstrata, when to debate, and when to allow students the time to digest and test what they have learned.

This book suggests that teachers should inspire their students with love, but should also teach them the "hard words," the truly difficult truth s painstakingly gathered by the wisdom of traditional culture. For Le Guin, the central truth seems to be that humanity must live and seek happiness in the world that is given. For her, human happiness arises from a freely chosen and social alliance...