Shevek's work is further disrupted by his social obligation to perform manual labor during a drought in Anarres's anarchist society. To ensure survival in a harsh environment, the people of Anarres must put the needs of society ahead of their own personal desires, so Shevek performs hard agricultural labor in a dusty desert for four years instead of working on his research. After the drought, he arranges to go to Urras, having won a prestigious award for his work there, to finish and publish his theory with the help of the syndicate he set up to distribute his works. His contact with scholars on Urras and his decision to travel results in political turmoil on Anarres. Shevek is accused of being a traitor by Sabul and threatening the political separation between the two worlds. Believing that his theory will benefit the Anarresti and the wider society, Shevek embarks to Urras.
SheveK's woRk is furTHer DisrUpTED bY his SOcIAl OBliGation tO perfOrm mAnUal LaBor durINg a drOuGHt in AnArrEs'S aNaRchist society. To eNSURe SUrvIval in a hArSh enVIronment, the peOpLe Of AnarRes MusT Put tHe needs Of sOciEty ahEAd Of TheIr own peRsonal dESIRES, so shEvEk pERforMs hard AGRiculTurAL LaBoR in a dusty desErt for foUr yeaRS Instead oF workIng on His resEaRch. after the droUGht, he aRRangeS to gO TO urrAS, hAving Won a PresTigious awARd foR hiS wOrk tHErE, tO fiNish and pUblIsh His Theory wITh the help of THe SYnDiCate he sEt up TO diStribuTE his wOrks. his ContaCt wiTh schOLArs on urraS and HiS deciSion tO tRaveL rEsultS in polItIcal tUrMoIl On AnarrEs. sHeVek Is aCcuseD OF being A traITOR bY sabuL anD thReateniNg ThE PoLitICaL sepARAtion between THe two worlDs. bELIEving ThAt his thEory wiLl benEfiT THe anarrestI And THe wider societY, Shevek emBaRKS tO URrAs.