The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas

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The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas

What is the main problem or issue that the author is addressing?

The author wants to address the problem of marginalization and discrimination that occurs within a society. The larger society benefits because of the sacrifices made by a few people. in every society, there are those who experience all manner of problems such as poverty. They have to work hard and dedicate most of their time to work. However, much as they try, they are not allowed to have the same privileges as the rest of the society. The child in the story has to remain in misery for the society to continue in its blissful state. It is underfed, unloved, and unaccepted. Some pity the child but they do nothing for him. According to the few laws existing in the city, the child should not receive any affection and the people who go to observe it should not stay for long. Those who cannot bear the suffering of the child end up leaving the city. Only a few people choose to do this. This is interesting considering that the city does not have any rulers and there are no laws. If the people wanted, they could change the child’s fate. However, they have chosen to continue believing in the wisdom passed down from those who have gone before them. They have not bothered to find out what would happen if they decided to help the child.

What is the author’s central claim, argument, or point? What assumptions does the author make?

The author argues that behind every ideal situation, there is always a negative side and people need to open the door and find what is hidden behind it. In the case of Omelas, the people have chosen to live in an ideal situation yet the negative in this situation is the misery of a child. The author seems to be asking the readers to look beyond the surface and consider the whole situation. She wants to evoke the reader into thinking whether the sacrifices that they, or their societies, are making are really worth it. The author assumes that people cannot experience happiness without the existence of misery. She also assumes that the people cannot find a solution to the existing problem