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Shevek
An Anarresti woman who becomes Shevek’s romantic partner. Brilliant, empathetic, and practical, Takver works in a marine laboratory where she studies fish. Shevek admires her kind heart, her belief that “all lives are in common,” and her desire to “seek the experience of existences outside the human boundary.” After a chance meeting as young students, during which Shevek hardly paid Takver any attention at all and did not even learn her name, they reunite as adults who are brought together by mutual friends. Takver and Shevek experience an instantaneous connection, and reveal their mutual desire for monogamous partnership despite the nature of Anarresti society, which encourages experimentation and non-exclusive communal relationships. After the birth of their first child, Takver and Shevek are separated for four years by their different work assignments. When they eventually they reunite, each has remained faithful to the other during their separation, and they resume their partnership and have a second child together. Takver encourages Shevek to go to Urras, supporting his dreams of bringing the two worlds into more productive communication and of finally being able to take credit for his scientific theories. Takver is a steadfast partner and an enthusiastic supporter of Shevek’s work and his ideals—even those that rub against typical Anarresti values of communal living and self-sacrifice.
Takver Quotes in The Dispossessed
The The Dispossessed quotes below are all either spoken by Takver or refer to Takver. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Chapter 10
Quotes
“Neither of us chose [to surrender to Sabul’s authoritarianism]. We let Sabul choose for us. Our own, internalized Sabul—convention, moralism, fear of social ostracism, fear of being different, fear of being free! Well, never again. I learn slowly, but I learn.”
“What are you going to do?” asked Takver, a thrill of agreeable excitement in her voice.
“Go to Abbenay with you and start a printing syndicate. Print the Principles, uncut. And whatever else we like. Bedap’s [paper] that the PDC wouldn’t circulate. And Tirin’s play. I owe him that. He taught me what prisons are, and who builds them. Those who build walls are their own prisoners. I’m going to go fulfill my proper function in the social organism. I’m going to go unbuild walls.”
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Chapter 13
Quotes
“I will lie down to sleep on Anarres tonight,” [Shevek] thought. “I will lie down beside Takver. I wish I’d brought the picture, the baby sheep, to give Pilun.” But he had not brought anything. His hands were empty, as they had always been.
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Takver Quotes in The Dispossessed
The The Dispossessed quotes below are all either spoken by Takver or refer to Takver. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 10
Quotes
“Neither of us chose [to surrender to Sabul’s authoritarianism]. We let Sabul choose for us. Our own, internalized Sabul—convention, moralism, fear of social ostracism, fear of being different, fear of being free! Well, never again. I learn slowly, but I learn.”
“What are you going to do?” asked Takver, a thrill of agreeable excitement in her voice.
“Go to Abbenay with you and start a printing syndicate. Print the Principles, uncut. And whatever else we like. Bedap’s [paper] that the PDC wouldn’t circulate. And Tirin’s play. I owe him that. He taught me what prisons are, and who builds them. Those who build walls are their own prisoners. I’m going to go fulfill my proper function in the social organism. I’m going to go unbuild walls.”
Related Characters:
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Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 13
Quotes
“I will lie down to sleep on Anarres tonight,” [Shevek] thought. “I will lie down beside Takver. I wish I’d brought the picture, the baby sheep, to give Pilun.” But he had not brought anything. His hands were empty, as they had always been.
Related Characters:
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Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
