Response to Ursula Leguin's "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas"
FA #2: Response to “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula LeGuin
Maisie Snyder
WRIT 2110
14 September 2012
There are stories that cause the mind to think and others that catch the eye of curiosity. In Ursula LeGuin’s short story, “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas,” both of these impressions are well-satisfied though the usage of metaphorical and paradoxical language. This philosophical parable surrounding a seemingly ideal society was awarded the Locus Award for Best Short Fiction and the Hugo Award for Best Short Story in 1974. One of the many claims of this short tale reveals itself with a severity and impact; an ill-fated child that is kept in hiding for the sake of Omelas, as the story is told, must remain in torture for the sake of the happiness of all of the citizens of the city. Some citizens, however, do not agree with this philosophy and sacrifice their happiness to leave Omelas and travel into the unknown. Omelas is introduced as fantastic city in the midst of the beautiful summer celebration. Its people, LeGuin describes, “…were not simple folk, you see, though they were happy.” The city was joyous, and existed freely, “without monarchy and slavery,” and without other rules and guidelines viewed as the norm in these times. In a city such as this, one would not expect there to be a hint of sadness, which would make LeGuin’s piece and the city of Omelas incredible and hard to believe. Soon enough, the author brings the reader to a moist, dirt and cobweb infested cellar under a beautiful home. An imbecile and physically deformed child sits in its own filth, “sniveling in the dark.” The city has seen the child, but its existence is accepted after a given time of anger and bitterness. LeGuin makes it clear in her work that the never-ending torture of this child, according to the city of Omelas, is a necessary evil in order for the majority to experience true joy. She also makes it a point, however, that some people are more deeply
Maisie Snyder
WRIT 2110
14 September 2012
There are stories that cause the mind to think and others that catch the eye of curiosity. In Ursula LeGuin’s short story, “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas,” both of these impressions are well-satisfied though the usage of metaphorical and paradoxical language. This philosophical parable surrounding a seemingly ideal society was awarded the Locus Award for Best Short Fiction and the Hugo Award for Best Short Story in 1974. One of the many claims of this short tale reveals itself with a severity and impact; an ill-fated child that is kept in hiding for the sake of Omelas, as the story is told, must remain in torture for the sake of the happiness of all of the citizens of the city. Some citizens, however, do not agree with this philosophy and sacrifice their happiness to leave Omelas and travel into the unknown. Omelas is introduced as fantastic city in the midst of the beautiful summer celebration. Its people, LeGuin describes, “…were not simple folk, you see, though they were happy.” The city was joyous, and existed freely, “without monarchy and slavery,” and without other rules and guidelines viewed as the norm in these times. In a city such as this, one would not expect there to be a hint of sadness, which would make LeGuin’s piece and the city of Omelas incredible and hard to believe. Soon enough, the author brings the reader to a moist, dirt and cobweb infested cellar under a beautiful home. An imbecile and physically deformed child sits in its own filth, “sniveling in the dark.” The city has seen the child, but its existence is accepted after a given time of anger and bitterness. LeGuin makes it clear in her work that the never-ending torture of this child, according to the city of Omelas, is a necessary evil in order for the majority to experience true joy. She also makes it a point, however, that some people are more deeply