Gender roles
The line between male and female individuals on Anarres is rather thin and the organization of life promotes equality between the genders. There are no differences between the male and female names as each individual is given a name by a computer. Jobs are not distributed according to genders, everyone chooses a job he wants to do, and the nature of the job doesn't matter as long as it contributes to the society. Parenthood is something that both of the parents are equally capable, or incapable, from the example of Shevek's mother, of doing. There is no pressure on the appearance of the woman because the idea of partnering with someone is based on an emotional rather than physical level. Nature and simplicity and directness is a matter of fact when it comes to life on Anarres, there is no need of enhancing or getting rid of ones natural traits such as body hair, bodily needs such as sex are seen as just that without the pressure or shame.
Utopia or Dystopia
There is this comparison of Anarres and Urras. Both planets are each other moons. Anarres is seen as a Utopia because its system is solely based on human cooperation and solidarity. There are no laws, no classes, no money, no possessions, everything belongs to everyone. The cruel, fruitless and desert-like climate of it is overshadowed with this human brotherhood. But, this Utopia also has its flaws; hence the novel's subtitle An Ambiguous Utopia. Urras is seen as Hell from the standpoint of an Anarreti. The humanity there is based on power, money, personal gain and the vast line between the genders. But, the climate of it is the closest thing to a Paradise. When Shevek makes the speech about Urras being hell, the ambassador of Terra tells him that from her point of view Urras represents Heaven. This makes the line between heaven and hell thin as well and it is something that is subjective rather than being a common idea.
