Shevek, a scientist from the desert planet Anarres, travels to the neighboring planet Urras, an Earthlike planet of capitalism, war and economic inequity. He goes there with the plan of learning, teaching and sharing his world and beliefs with the Urrasti. Shevek comes from a society founded on the beliefs of the Urrasti philosopher Odo and settled by revolutionaries from Urras who called themselves Odonians. The Anarresti have no government or economy, and their survival is only guaranteed by everyone working together to feed and clothe the society.

Shevek is struck by the "splendor" in which so many Urrasti seem to live, compared to the austerity in which he and his fellow Anarresti live. He soon starts to feel at home at Ieu Eun University, in the nation of A-Io, where he lives during his visit. He tours the nearby cities, meets some of the "contented poor," who do not...