The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas By Ursela Le Guin

Nathan Muguerza
English 203 Sec #506
Dr. Cooper
March 30, 2015

At What Cost
“The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” by Ursela Le Guin is a short story about a city that she perceives to be one of a happy or joyful nature, but the narrator himself drops hint throughout the paper proving why it is the opposite. The story is in fact written from the point of view of a narrator who until the conclusion of the story, makes Omelas sound like a wonderful place. The reader would expect to hear of a happy “fairy tale” like ending, but instead finds out about a child in a locked room under harsh conditions. However, the child being in that room under those conditions is the only way that Omelas can continue to thrive as they do now. The citizens of the

city just ignore it for the most part and move on with their lives knowing all along of the horrible truth. Omelas fits the standards of a pleasurable city, but it seems to the reader to come at a cost of an individual. Perhaps all happiness comes at the cost of another.
The city of Omelas is introduced with a joyful sense, “through the clamor of bells that set the swallows soaring, the Festival of Summer came to the city Omelas, bright-towered by the sea” (1).

That alone sounds like somewhere most others would understand to be an entertaining or peaceful place. It is summertime in the city and there is a festival going on. There are children running around, people prepping the horses for the race. It is described as a beautiful day out and not a bead of negativity in the air. The narrator does drop hints throughout the passage however, such as: “Do you believe? Do you accept the festival, the city, the joy? No? Then let me describe one more thing” (3). That quote holds great significance to the story because there really is a question of something bigger. It is not just all for

entertainment.
Omelas is a form of Utopia, though not lacking some negatives which would be characteristic of a non-utopian place. Le Guin notes, “These were not simple folk, nor dulcet shepherds, noble savages, bland utopians” (1). She explains how these people of Omelas, though not savages are not quite normal either. The residents of this utopian city live not so simply, and their happiness is not based on possession. They use things such as drugs and beer and much more for pleasure. For example, “drooz which first brings a great lightness and brilliance to the mind and limbs, and then after some hours a dreamy languor…For more modest tastes I think there ought to be beer” (2). This explains why this city is run the way it is, and the only reason for everyone’s happiness; the child in the room. The city is beautiful the weather and harvests are kind and plentiful, while nearly all are healthy (3). Yet, all of that depends on this child’s vile misery (3). Omelas is certainly a utopia for all citizens except the anguished child.
The narrator does seem to empathize somewhat with the citizens of Omelas though. Even though the child’s dilemma is the source for all peacefulness in the town, it can be said of the residents, “They know they, like the child, are not free. They know compassion… It is because of the child that they are so gentle with children” (4). This statement communicates that the narrator thinks the citizens at least feel for this poor child although they can do nothing about it. If they were to try to do something it would cause havoc in the city. Even though to some, one human may be just as important as any other, that one child must be dehumanized for the benefit of the general public. The fact that these people know of the child and the situation the child is in gives them credibility in the most inhumane way but it is the terrible reality. She states, “To throw away the happiness of thousands for the chance of the happiness of one: that would be to let guilt within the walls indeed” (3). This draws in the guilt factor to the story, because as stated, some are forced to go and at least look at the child which is obviously very saddening. She clearly states that there is no guilt in the city however.
This abandoned child is the unfortunate foundation for which the beautiful city of Omelas rests upon. Nothing can be done to help or save the child because if such a thing were to be attempted, peace would be no more. There is a bigger picture to this story and it has to do with the child and the cruel punishment he or she is receiving. The crime here is that this “Utopia” is only supported under the absurd terms that this child stay locked up and disregarded by the city. The living situation for this child is ludicrous. “The room is about three paces long and two wide… and the door is locked; and nobody will come…It lives on a half bowl of cornmeal and grease a day” (3). That is the terrible truth of the sacrifice of one for hundreds. The narrator goes on to talk about how the child has given up on trying and just sits there day and night knowing the terrifying truth that no help will ever come.
When it comes time to go see the child it is nary a positive thing for the citizens of Omelas.

Le Guin states, “No matter how well the matter has been explained to them, these young spectators are always shocked and sickened at the sight” of the child who is there so that they can live a life of peace and joy (3, 4). This shows that no matter what, even if they have been prepared for the moment when they go see the child, it still greatly impacted them. The conditions and the situation the child is in are unbearable for most citizens leaving them distraught and in tears. She states, “They would like to do something for the child. But there is nothing they can do” (4). Then there are “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas…Yet it is their tears and anger, the trying of their generosity and the acceptance of their helplessness, which are perhaps the true source of the splendor of their lives”(4). They know the child must stay there and they must face the reality of that. So there are some who leave, they fall silent for a couple of days and then they just walk until they have passed the beautiful gates of Omelas (4). They leave alone and with a reality that there may not be anything on the other side, although they seem to have some idea of where they are

going.
To conclude, the city of Omelas at first seems like such a wonderful place which takes a turn for the worst when the reader learns of the child in the room. This story brings up the idea of morality and if one person’s happiness is worth the demise of an entire city. Would you have helped out the child? It is a tough position for the reader to put themselves in. In a real utopia there would be no suffering child waiting for that one person who is never going to show up. There is a way to find happiness and peace without being so naïve. We must find joy in the victory of life like those citizens of Omelas, and not in sorrow.