Principles of Spontaneity

Principles of Spontaneity is a paper Shevek writes in his role as a physicist. However, the paper is not well received by his supervisor until Takver suggests that Shevek allow the paper to be published with his supervisor’s name on it. Soon after, Shevek sneaks the original manuscript on a shipment to Urras to be reviewed by a scientist there. Shevek is then sent away and separated from his partner and child for four years.

Dormitory

All the children on Anarres begin living in dormitories as young children so that the children can learn to coexist with others and avoid egoizing. People on Anarres remain in the dormitories all their lives unless they partner and decide to live in a domicile.

Domicile

There are buildings that have larger rooms in them that two people can share as partners. Shevek and Takver take one...