The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas Rhetorical Analysis

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I believe that these readings were given to us, for us to decide whether the barbaric traditions and principles shown in these stories are needed for a happy society. It gives us a chance to reflect on human being’s natural desires for perfection and violence. The problem that faces us from reading these stories is if the suffering of one person can be justified by the joy of everyone else. In “The Lottery”, does the death of Mrs. Hutchinson at the hands of the people quench our desire for violence and if so does that stay in line with one’s morals. In the second story “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” does the suffering and torture experienced by the child allow all of us to live a happier and more perfect society? And if so, is the child’s pain worth it if it allows for everyone else’s happiness. In my own opinion and using my own morals I don’t believe the suffering of one person is justified by the joy others experience. Offering up a person as tribute does not match up with my beliefs and although a perfect world sounds ideal, the guilt that I would hold would simply be too much for me to …show more content…

Now that I’ve seen the dark possibilities that can come from such a society, I am questioning my own beliefs about utilitarianism. In both of these stories it shows how horrific utilitarianism can be and I don’t believe I could ever support a type of society where innocent people are punished simply to increase the joy in the rest of the people’s lives. Based on my morals I believe everyone’s lives are important and no one individual’s life should be taken for granted. I am not trying to sound self-righteous but I believe people should be looking out for one another’s well-being rather than try to find a shortcut to happiness by forcing certain individuals to

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