The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas Essay

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The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas is the story of a utopian society with a covert secret, written by Ursula K. Le Guin, in 1973. The city of Omelas is characterized by its happiness and beauty which is unparalleled to all others. A fairytale type of town. However, a further examination of the story will show a contrast of that belief. What is Utopian society?. A Utopia is a fictional, perfect place- a dream town, perhaps, though, some people choose to believe the opposite. Omelas is a city that is described as a utopia generated from happiness. The author of this story drew this picture of beautiful city, an extravagant place to live, secretly containing an evil within the deepest, darkest parts of the city. Omelas doesn’t quite to fit the entire meaning of Utopia, because the people have the ability to act freely, have luxuries, and live their life, Le Guin said they were not “bland utopians,” or “simple folk,” or “dulcet shepherds” that they simply lived. However, one would use that reference to imitate a picture of what Omelas generally look like. Therefore, one may believe that Omelas was meant to symbolize Utopia with hidden …show more content…

They think that the happiness of their city as a whole is of higher value than that one boy, because as they have been told all their lives: if this child is freed all the good things about Omelas would vanish. The people leave that one child down there in the basement, visiting him/her only when they are curious or when they bring their children to see what sacrifices must be made to ensure their happiness. The residents believe they should make the most of their time, trying to live life to the fullest extent, a life that is worth that child’s suffering. However, there is another group of people who were once residents, but could not bear living with the guilt and injustice of such a horror, so they just leave the city and go

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