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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Books — The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas
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October 1973, Ursula K. Le Guin
Science Fiction, Philosophical Fiction
The Child, The People of Omelas, The Ones Who Walk Away
It is a work of speculative fiction that presents a moral dilemma and raises profound questions about the nature of sacrifice and the value of human life. While the story is not directly based on any specific event or historical context, it draws inspiration from philosophical and ethical inquiries.
Le Guin's narrative invites readers to imagine a utopian city, Omelas, where everyone enjoys unparalleled happiness and prosperity. However, this idyllic existence comes at a steep price: the suffering of a single child locked away in a basement. The story explores the ethical implications of a society's collective well-being dependent on the suffering of an individual.
"The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" is inspired by moral philosophy and ethical debates surrounding utilitarianism, the greater good, and the inherent worth of every human life.
"The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" is a thought-provoking short story by Ursula K. Le Guin. It depicts a seemingly perfect city called Omelas, where its inhabitants enjoy immense happiness and prosperity. However, the existence of this utopia hinges on a dark secret. In a small basement, a single child lives in unimaginable suffering.
The narrative explores the moral dilemma faced by the people of Omelas. They are aware of the child's agony but choose to accept it in order to maintain their own happiness and the city's harmony. Some individuals, however, cannot bear the weight of this moral compromise and choose to walk away from Omelas, leaving behind the utopia they once cherished.
"The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" is set in the fictional city of Omelas. Le Guin creates a vivid and idyllic setting that radiates beauty and joy. Omelas is described as a city of splendor, with magnificent buildings, lush gardens, and vibrant festivals. Its streets are filled with music, laughter, and the aroma of delicious food. The atmosphere is one of celebration and contentment.
The city is depicted as a utopia where its inhabitants enjoy abundance, peace, and happiness. The setting is deliberately crafted to evoke a sense of perfection and harmony. However, beneath this facade of paradise lies the basement where a single child suffers unimaginable torment.
The stark contrast between the gleaming streets of Omelas and the hidden misery in the basement emphasizes the moral dilemma at the heart of the story. The setting serves as a backdrop to highlight the ethical choices faced by the people of Omelas and the consequences of their actions. It challenges the reader to question the true cost of maintaining a utopian society.
One prominent theme is the ethical dilemma and the price of societal happiness. The story presents a moral quandary: Is it justifiable to allow the suffering of one individual for the collective happiness of many? Le Guin challenges readers to reflect on the sacrifices we may be willing to make in order to maintain a seemingly perfect society.
Another theme is the inherent darkness and imperfection within seemingly utopian societies. Omelas appears idyllic on the surface, but the presence of the suffering child exposes the underlying flaws and injustices. Le Guin suggests that true perfection is unattainable and that any utopia is built upon some form of injustice or inequality.
Additionally, the story explores the concept of individual responsibility and conscience. The ones who choose to walk away from Omelas symbolize those who refuse to accept the suffering and injustice upon which their happiness is built. Their departure signifies the difficult decision to prioritize personal values and morality over societal comfort.
One of the main devices used is symbolism. The suffering child in the basement symbolizes the hidden cost and moral compromise behind the supposed utopia of Omelas. This symbolism emphasizes the themes of sacrifice and the consequences of societal happiness.
Another literary device utilized is irony. The irony lies in the stark contrast between the seemingly perfect city of Omelas and the suffering of one innocent child. This irony serves to highlight the inherent contradictions and ethical dilemmas within the story, forcing readers to question the true nature of a utopian society.
Le Guin also employs vivid imagery to create a compelling narrative. Descriptions of the joyous festivities, the beauty of the city, and the haunting image of the suffering child evoke strong emotions and immerse readers in the world of Omelas.
Furthermore, the narrative structure itself, which presents a moral dilemma and leaves the resolution open-ended, contributes to the overall impact of the story. It encourages readers to grapple with complex ethical questions and reflect on their own values and beliefs.
One notable example is its influence on literature and philosophical discourse. Many authors and scholars have referenced or alluded to the story in their works, using it as a basis for discussions on ethics, utilitarianism, and the nature of happiness. For instance, philosopher Peter Singer drew inspiration from the story in his exploration of moral dilemmas in his book "The Life You Can Save."
In the realm of visual media, the story has also found representation. It has been adapted into short films and incorporated into larger productions. One notable adaptation is a short film titled "Omelas," directed by Matthew Charof. This film visually captures the essence of the story and its moral dilemma, bringing the narrative to life for a broader audience.
Additionally, the story has been referenced in music, with artists incorporating its themes and concepts into their lyrics. American singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens released a song titled "All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands," which contains references to the suffering child in Omelas, exploring the tension between happiness and injustice.
The story presents a thought-provoking moral dilemma that challenges readers to question their own values and beliefs. Its influence can be seen in the exploration of ethical dilemmas and utilitarianism in various works.
In literature, authors have been inspired by the story's exploration of sacrifice and the greater good. They have incorporated similar themes and moral dilemmas into their own narratives, expanding upon the philosophical questions raised by "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas." For example, works such as Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" and George Orwell's "1984" delve into societal sacrifices and the consequences of collective happiness.
In the field of philosophy, the story has sparked discussions about utilitarianism, ethics, and the nature of happiness. Scholars have referenced the story to examine the ethical implications of sacrificing one individual's well-being for the benefit of many. The story's powerful depiction of the moral tension between individual suffering and communal happiness continues to be debated and analyzed in academic and philosophical circles.
"The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" is an important story to write an essay about due to its profound exploration of ethical dilemmas and the nature of morality. The thought-provoking narrative raises essential questions about the price of societal happiness and the ethical implications of sacrificing one individual for the greater good. By delving into the unsettling concept of a utopian society built upon the suffering of an innocent person, the story challenges readers to examine their own moral compasses and confront the complexities of ethical decision-making.
Writing an essay on "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" provides an opportunity to critically analyze the moral implications presented in the story, delve into the philosophical debates it ignites, and examine its broader societal and cultural implications. It invites discussions on topics such as utilitarianism, individualism versus collective responsibility, and the limits of sacrifice for the greater good. Exploring the story's themes and literary devices allows for a deeper understanding of human nature, ethics, and the complex choices individuals and societies face.
"The trouble is that we have a bad habit, encouraged by pedants and sophisticates, of considering happiness as something rather stupid. Only pain is intellectual, only evil interesting. This is the treason of the artist: a refusal to admit the banality of evil and the terrible boredom of pain."
"They know that they, like the child, are not free. They know compassion. It is the existence of the child, and their knowledge of its existence, that makes possible the nobility of their architecture, the poignancy of their music, the profundity of their science."
"Sometimes the child screams for help. Utterly alone, it screams, although it knows nobody will come. The secret of happiness is locked in its screams."
"Each person who walks away from Omelas, however, must decide for themselves whether the sacrifice of one innocent child is worth the price of their own happiness and the prosperity of the entire society."
"They leave Omelas, they walk ahead into the darkness, and they do not come back. The place they go towards is a place even less imaginable to most of us than the city of happiness. I cannot describe it at all. It is possible that it does not exist. But they seem to know where they are going, the ones who walk away from Omelas."
1. Bennett, B. (2005). Through Ecofeminist Eyes: Le Guin's" The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas". English Journal, 63-68. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/30046506)
2. Brandt, B. E. (2003). Two Additional Antecedents for Ursula Le Guin's “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”. ANQ: A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes and Reviews, 16(3), 51-56. (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08957690309598220?journalCode=vanq20)
3. Mamola, G. (2018). Walking Towards Elfland: Fantasy and Utopia in Ursula K. Le Guin's" The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas". Extrapolation., 59(2), 149-I. (https://www.proquest.com/openview/db4d380a0e63edd350cdf32b6f48d524/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2029869)
4. Kabir, N. F. (2022). Evaluating the Values of the Sheepish Slaves: A Synthetical Analysis of “The Lottery” and “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” in Light of Nietzsche’s Ruminations. International Journal of Literature Studies, 2(1), 29-35. (https://al-kindipublisher.com/index.php/ijls/article/view/3576)
5. Veit, A. (2020). Scapegoats in The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas, The Lathe of Heaven and The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin (Doctoral dissertation, Univerza v Mariboru, Filozofska fakulteta). (https://dk.um.si/IzpisGradiva.php?id=76989)
6. RAMADHANI, A. A. P. (2018). THE EXISTENCE OF OMELAS CITIZEN IN URSULA K. LE GUIN’S SHORT STORY ENTITLED THE ONES WHO WALK AWAY FROM OMELAS (Doctoral dissertation, DIPONEGORO UNIVERSITY). (https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/THE-EXISTENCE-OF-OMELAS-CITIZENIN-URSULA-K.-LE-ONES-Ramadhani/c5755ec9e76f626f3af1e0794da659bfb554b156)
7. Bassford, A. D. Conscientious Utilitarianism; or, the Utilitarians Who Walk Away from Omelas. (https://philpapers.org/rec/BASCUO)
8. Rezkiyana, P. A. (2017). Identify the Message of Ursula Le Guin’s The Ones Who Walk From Omelas though Its Thematic Structure. Lire Journal (Journal of Linguistics and Literature), 1(1), 41-49. (https://www.lirejournal.ubb.ac.id/index.php/LRJ/article/view/7)
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