Summary

Chapter 4

Shevek arrives in Abbenay and is immediately put to work learning how to read Pravic, the language of Urras. Shevek is unhappy, however, because he has been given a single room and he finds this rude, wondering if he did something wrong. He later realizes he has this room so that he will not bother others when he wants to work long into the night, but he still finds it uncomfortable. Shevek learns to read Pravic quickly and begins writing critics of the books he is given. One of these critics is printed into a book, the authorship shared with his professor, Sabul. However, Shevek’s work begins to falter after this because he cannot concentrate. Shevek wants to send letters and works to Urras, as Sabul has done, but Sabul will not allow it. Shevek becomes frustrated.

Shevek becomes ill and...