Shevek is the protagonist of the novel. He is a temporal scientist from Anarres who hopes to bring the worlds closer together with his theory of Simultaneity. From a young age, he feels different from his peers in Anarres and as he grows older sees the holes in their Utopian lawless system.

Bedap is Shevek’s closest friend who helps him persuade the Syndicate to allow him to travel to Urras and works on creating support for him when he comes back.

Tirin is Shevek’s childhood eccentric friend who creates a play making fun of the systems of Urras and Anarres which leads to him ending up in an Asylum.

Takver is Shevek’s partner for life. Their relationship is portrayed with a thin gender line where both of them contribute to and enjoy their relationship equally.

Sabul is a hidden egoist, member of the Syndicate, who makes important decisions on what gets published to the society of Anarres and what gets sent to Urras. He only allows Shevek’s work to be published if he signs the co-authorship.

Keng is the ambassador from Terra. Shevek ultimately divulges his idea for the ansible to her in the hopes that she will respectfully disseminate the concept, rather than using it to gain power or wealth. Keng is an alien to Urras just as Shevek is, and he establishes mutual respect and understanding with her on this basis.