2,4,6,8,10,12,1,3,5,7,9,11,13



SUMMARY OF PLOT

Annares is the moon (and twin planet and opposite reflection) of Urras which is the larger of the two. Urras consists of numerous nations...the primary ones being A-Io and Thu (roughly the USA and the USSR). A-Io is a capitalist nation...rich and lush. Annares, on the other hand, was settled by revolutionary anarchists from Urras some 170 years prior to the story's beginning and is an arrid and fairly desolate planet. Shevek, the main protagonist, a scientist, is from Annares. Although he believes in the socialist reality of his home, he also never quite fits in entirely. His society (the whole planet) is committed to cooperation and an "organic" solidarity...attempting to promote social-individuality. Shevek is a brilliant physicist and he gradually realizes his theories (and the very organic nature of his society) threaten his homeland and what they have actually become...a closed, isolated, and fearful society...one which has violated their own principles of "openness to change."

He also realizes that he has been exploited by his mentor, Sabul. Sevek and his "partner" (there is no formal marriage on Annares), Takver, are separated when he crosses Sabul. They are forced to live apart for four years...although supposedly through their own choices. When they DO get back together, Shevek finds Takver and their friends have all suffered because of their relationship with him. Consequently, he decides to accept an invitation to visit Urras where his theories are revered (communication was rare but existed) and apparently appreciated (he wins a prestigious award from them). He becomes the first native of Annares to actually GO to Urras...where he is welcomed royally...or so it seems.

However, the cultural differences are immense and Shevek finds them quite confusing: the conspicuous consumption evident in allowing the female-half of society to be idle; the wasteful nature of a society rich in resources; and the obsessive concern with "property" and possessing. It becomes evident to Shevek that the scientists and politicians on Urras also want to exploit his theories...but now for commercial gain and control purposes. Yet, he would have given all he had...freely, but certain people try to force his knowledge from him...which, not so incidently, he has never actually written down. When he tries to help the poorer and revolutionary classes (the same type of people his ancestors were on Urras...170 years earlier), he finds himself on the run...on a very strange planet, indeed...at least to him. Finally, through the intervention and help of ambassadors from Terra (another planet in the universe...along with the beings from Hain...the oldest known beings in the universe), Shevek gets to share his knowledge with everyone and then returns to Annares with a renewed enthusiasm for his own culture and a renewed dedication to the vigilance needed to revolutionize it anew...which he understands is needed so as to keep and make it more free.

COMMENTARY

This book illustrates how closely intertwined the political is with the personal and with the cultural...both on Annares and Urras. Shevek's theories of Simultaneity and Sequency make possible great scientific advances, such as the "ansible"...a communication device allowing instantaneous transmission of sound. Shevek's crowning achievement, his General Temporal Theory, is not possible without the use of an ancient Terran theory, that of Einstein...the Theory of Relativity. This illustrates the superiority of cooperation over competition as a cultural mode of social relations.

THE DISPOSSESSED is subtitled An Ambiguous Utopia, and this ambiguity is constantly demonstrated. One example is Shevek's realization that the obstacles placed in his way are both societal inspired and societal prohibited. Then, too, is the extreme poverty of Annares when contrasted with the lushness of Urras. The author's skill with description makes the landscapes (both physical and cultural) of the two contrasting planets) come alive. LeGuin's development of the character of Shevek creates a man too strong to be crushed by the conflicting pressures he experiences on each.

The country A-Io...clearly a capitalist society, is not unlike our own society. On the other hand, Annares is clearly a socialist society...unlike any society on our planet. LeGuin contrasts these two societies in order for us to assess our own...and...to better visualize what we might want to have in our own future. It is on this point that LeGuin is most helpful...she clearly portrays some nitty-gritty details of socialist organization for us to visuallize and consider. She also clearly presents the relative nature of normality and deviance for us.

This is a very exciting and readable book. There are more than a few sociological ideas to consider in it. I hope you read it and enjoy it as much as I and others have.