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Illustrated portrait of Bedap

A character in The Dispossessed

Bedap

Bedap is one of Shevek’s childhood friends and later his most important political ally.

The book

Cover of The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin
The DispossessedUrsula K. Le Guin, 1974

Two opposed societies reveal how revolutionary ideals can harden into conformity without becoming simple villains.

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Who they are in the book

Spoiler-free

Bedap is one of Shevek’s childhood friends and later his most important political ally. He recognizes earlier than Shevek that Anarres has developed censorship, career punishment, and informal rulers while insisting that such things cannot exist. He and Shevek briefly have a sexual relationship, then continue as close friends. Bedap helps found the Syndicate of Initiative and argues for renewed contact with Urras. He remains on Anarres at the end; the novel does not describe his later life.

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