Literature Synthesis Essay

It is common for a written piece of literature to have a profound effect on one’s way of thinking. By shifting the thought of one person, literature can create a ripple effect and spread to others living in the same society. This shift aids in transforming modern society and propelling society to make appropriate modifications. A few pieces of literature that shifts one’s perspectives include The Ones to Walk Away From the Omelas (1991) by Ursula K. Le Guin, Salvation (1940) by Langston Hughes, and Fever 103 (1963) by Sylvia Plath. Literature prompts one to think about the piece they are reading. Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Ones to Walk Away From the Omelas (1991) invokes the reader to dissect the piece and unearth exactly what Le Guin is attempting
Le Guin’s The Ones to Walk Away From the Omelas (1991) opens people’s eyes. Society realizes that Le Guin’s story is not simply a story meant to entertain. The piece reflects the reality of what people are living today. However, it does not completely represent society now. Le Guin writes that there are only two choices for those living in Omelas, they can either stay or walk away. That is far from true in today’s society. People who see injustice can choose to do something about it. They can protest with others who feel the same and want to make a statement to passersby. People can boycott companies that have been proven to treat workers unjustly. They can use the Internet to spread the word of injustice to fellow Internet users and reach many countries around the world. The people who are actively protesting the injustices of the world have in a sense walked away. They may not have physically left society, but their mind has shifted from the general collectives’. They have become separate from common society. When one delves deeper into Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Ones to Walk Away From the Omelas (1991), it can bring about change. Perhaps the audience will be prompted to take action after reading the piece. If one can highly relate to a written piece the need for action will be stronger. Those who can empathize with the unhappy child may recognize that they are in the same situation and something must be done about the abused workers in society. “Thus, literature…serves
It does not matter what religion the reader’s family belongs to. When a child does not have the same beliefs as their family and feel they must lie, guilt ensues. The reader realizes they do not wish to feel guilt and experience what Hughes underwent. This realization may ignite the need to bring about change with the reader’s family. Perhaps this can influence readers to initiate honest conversations with one’s family. Family members who read Salvation (1940) can also realize that it is not right for them to push their religious beliefs on children who should be allowed to discover different religions and come to their own