“The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” from Perspective of Human Nature
“The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” is a short science-fiction, which was written by Ursula K. Le Guin in first-person and published in 1973. Le Guin used the allegorical writing technique to reflect the American culture at that moment (Wyman 228). With her pen, there is a world of difference between the environment of Omelas and the scapegoat’s basement. It is extremely irony that the “utopian” city suddenly turns into dystopian (228). The description of the imprisoned child and the free citizens’ reaction are trying to make people think about the selfish side of human nature, their ignorance of sacrificing scapegoats, and the behaviour of weasel out when facing problems. Without a doubt, every happy citizen in “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” has a selfish side, it might …show more content…
Same as “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”, “The Lottery”, which was written by Shirley Jackson in 1940s’, also presented about scapegoating. It is mainly about people in that town have to sacrifice an person (except children) each year in order to have a good harvest in the next coming year (Jackson 673-79). These behaviours normally do not make sense. Therefore, the articles like “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” insinuate people’s ignorance at that time. The “Omelians” firmly believe that there is a significant relationship between the child’s sacrifice and their happiness (2). That is, the more miserable the scapegoat is, the more fortune they will get. Le Guin used a strong contract to tell people what they believe are wrong. Some of the young people wanted to free the child, but by protecting not only their own but also the whole city’s happiness, they have no other choice that keep the child at the basement (Le Guin 861-62). At this point, the author is suggesting the readers not to do such ignorance
“The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” is a short science-fiction, which was written by Ursula K. Le Guin in first-person and published in 1973. Le Guin used the allegorical writing technique to reflect the American culture at that moment (Wyman 228). With her pen, there is a world of difference between the environment of Omelas and the scapegoat’s basement. It is extremely irony that the “utopian” city suddenly turns into dystopian (228). The description of the imprisoned child and the free citizens’ reaction are trying to make people think about the selfish side of human nature, their ignorance of sacrificing scapegoats, and the behaviour of weasel out when facing problems. Without a doubt, every happy citizen in “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” has a selfish side, it might …show more content…
Same as “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”, “The Lottery”, which was written by Shirley Jackson in 1940s’, also presented about scapegoating. It is mainly about people in that town have to sacrifice an person (except children) each year in order to have a good harvest in the next coming year (Jackson 673-79). These behaviours normally do not make sense. Therefore, the articles like “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” insinuate people’s ignorance at that time. The “Omelians” firmly believe that there is a significant relationship between the child’s sacrifice and their happiness (2). That is, the more miserable the scapegoat is, the more fortune they will get. Le Guin used a strong contract to tell people what they believe are wrong. Some of the young people wanted to free the child, but by protecting not only their own but also the whole city’s happiness, they have no other choice that keep the child at the basement (Le Guin 861-62). At this point, the author is suggesting the readers not to do such ignorance