Recuperating in the infirmary on Anarres, Shevek is visited by his next-door neighbor Desar, with whom he hasn't socialized all year. He realizes he must try to be more social, so after leaving the infirmary, he starts making friends, going to social functions and sleeping with women. He still takes little pleasure in sex, however. He also feels like he is making no progress with his work and has no one to discuss it with, not even Gvarab, his beloved teacher. He fails to get any of his letters sent to Urrasti scientists, and the Physics Federation repeatedly denies his request to teach a course on his own theories.
In his third year at the Institute, Gvarab dies, leaving Shevek further isolated and feeling that he is accomplishing nothing. That year he also runs.....
