Time after Shevek leaves Anarres and travels to Urras
The novel is divided into two plot-lines, two time periods of Shevek's life. The novel begins with the first time period that starts where the second time period ends. The time moves in a cycle which is in accordance with Shevek's theory of Simultaneity.
In this time period we get to see Shevek's getting familiar with the societal rules of Urras. Coming from a society based on human brotherhood and solidarity Shevek has an aura of a childlike naivety after coming to Urras. He counts on the good in people, their help instead of, what is the norm on Urras, on their deceiving and cruel nature. Nevertheless, Shevek does possess instinctive radar on reading people. He soon discovers his position there, that he's been bought. There is a war going on between A-Io and the anarchist state Thu. Shevek gets involved into the protests and finally finds a way to make his theory public and go back home.
The interesting thing to note is the contrast between Urras and Anarres, the nature is rich and it leaves Shevek breathless, but the society is rotten, women are considered to worth far less than men and people are imprisoned with their need for possession.
Time from Shevek's childhood up until his decision to travel to Urras
From childhood Shevek felt that he was different from others. From the young age he started to notice holes in the Anarres system, like for example when he was shut down by others when he talked about his theories, the rock and the tree example of temporal science.
The Anarreti see Urras as a disgusting place of profiteers, a place close to Hell, a place that no one should think of visiting. The society of Anarres is built on freedom, they see themselves as the only free humanity while everyone else is in prison, and at the same time they refuse to let anyone in their safely built walls.
When he mentions of going to Urras, Shevek gets scrutinized and shunned by the society. The society is built without laws, but the social customs force everyone to do what is expected of them, otherwise they are shunned, like the case of the eccentric artist Tirin. There is no fear of the law, but there is the fear of not being accepted by your brothers and sisters, which forces individuals to "freely" accept every job they are given, even at the cost of never seeing their loved ones again. This pressure of society contributes to Shevek's decision to travel to Urras, so that his family and friends no longer have to face the scrutinization. His decision ends this time period of the novel and it is the beginning of the first time period.
