The Dispossessed

On Anarres, men and women are equal. Moreover, homosexuality and heterosexuality are equally tolerated, and most children sexually experiment with both genders. Marriage does not exist, and monogamous partnership is rare; there are no contracts that behold individuals to each other (or to the state, as there is no state). On Urras, by contrast, marriage exists, and women are clearly regarded as inferior. In fact, they are barred from access to the university where Shevek teaches.

Shevek is shocked that men’s self-worth is so fragile that it depends on the denigration of half the populationand he wonders what affect this has on heterosexual relationships, as well as on sex. When he meets Demaere, he realizes that women do regard themselves as superior—the gender secretly in control—but her shock and fear when he attempts to have sex with her suggest the ubiquity of gender violence on Urras. Capitalism is thus seen to enforce gender inequality, marking women as the possessions of men. 

Both Ioti and Anarresti are xenophobic, although the logic behind their fear of other races and cultures is different. For the Ioti, race, just like gender and class, is framed through terms of superiority and inferiority. As the universe is increasingly interconnected, Ioti (and other Urrasti) wish to prove the superiority of their minds and sciences so that they may dominate economically. For Anarresti, Urrasti and other races pose a threat because they may “infect” their society with impure ideas. The small, socialist community does not have models of superiority, but it does have models of sickness and health that force citizens to embrace ideological purity. 

On Anarres, resources are scarce: there are no large animals, no birds, and few plants. Survival requires treating the environment carefully, as well as innovating: Takver works to breed fish that may survive on the planet’s harsh climate. On Urras, by contrast, resources are plentiful; goods are made from animals, and citizens eat meat. Shevek is vaguely disgusted by these practicesand remains a vegetarian.

Shevek is awed by events on Urras several times: including when he encounters a donkey and when he hears a bird sing. He reveres nature, and when Keng defends Urras, her main line of argument is that while her planet—Earth—was destroyed by its citizens’ disregard for the environment, the Urrasti have succeeded in maintaining enough resources to allow for the advancement of civilization, not just on Urras, but also on Anarres.