Desert, drought in contrast with lush nature
Anarres has a particular climate which most closely resembles a desert. The land is dry and sandy and green areas of land are scarce. In years before Shevek's resolution to go to Urras, there is a description of drought that overshadows the land. Rains are scarce, and they barely touch the ground before everything turns to dust and sand. Descriptions of people who are living in these conditions is provided as well-diseased appearance with cracked dry skin, withered to bones, inflamed eyes etc. It is hardly a representation of a decent lifestyle, not to mention a Utopia. Contrary to this, Urras is described as beaming with life and greenery, dense forests, a Utopia rich with life, but with soulless people.
Prison
Prison is often time mentioned as a representation of psychological imprisonment of egoist people of Urras in their materialism and hunger for possessions. But, aside from that, there is an actual scene of young Shevek with his colleague students recreating a small prison inspired by the lecture they had about Odo being in prison on Urras. They take things too far in their curiosity and see the ugly effects of imprisonment of one of their peers that decided to test it. This scene is significant as it shows how the boys at first take it lightheartedly and are mesmerized by the idea of suffering, until they see the effects of it, which leaves them speechless and sad.
Letters
Quite a few of the chapters, or parts of them, are told in letters, particularly letters between Takver and Shevek after they are forced to separate for long periods of time because of the job position they "freely" take. The couple is determined to not break their bond, even though it seems as if the customs of Anarres are, not so rarely, in favor of separating couples.
