The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Sumedh Anantha

Le Guin goes on a rant

The idea of having a perfect society with no pitfalls is an idea that has been explored countless times throughout history whether it be presented through music, literature or pieces of art. It’s an idea with no boundaries that can be subject to multiple avenues of thought and expression with a variety of deeper meanings behind the curtain. One such piece of media is Ursula LeGuin’s short story “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” where she presents a utopian society with an allegory that is quite unique. Omelas is a beautiful city where everything is prosperous and enjoyable however that comes at a cost. A child is locked inside a basement and is forced to subside in detrimental conditions for the

The author creates a vivid and powerful emotional response in the reader by using language that is both descriptive and evocative.For example, the child’s hygienic situation is described using sentences such as “It is naked. Its buttocks and thighs are a mass of festered sores, as it sits in its own excrement continually.”The description of the child's physical appearance and condition is intended to elicit feelings of pity and compassion from the reader, as well as a sense of outrage at the injustice of the situation. She also tugs at the reader's strings with the usage of imagery to highlight the stark contrasts between the celebrations outside and the conditions inside the basement where the child lives. The image of the child in the dark basement is contrasted with the "blare of trumpets" and "joyous clamor of bells" that can be heard throughout the city. This contrast is intended to create a sense of cognitive dissonance in the reader, forcing them to confront the ethical dilemma at the heart of the story. She uses the child as vehicle to support her message about why looking at society in utilitarian terms is a bad idea. This usage of an innocent child as a message is not unique to just "The Ones Who Walk

Roemer’s article, “The Talking Porcupine Liberates Utopia: Le Guin's "Omelas" as Pretext to the Dance”. In the article Roemer examines the themes of sacrifice and liberation in the story. Early in the analysis Romer states "By focusing on the child, the story asks the reader to confront the moral and ethical implications of a society that values the happiness of the majority over the well-being of the minority." (Roemer).This quote embodies my saying from above about having a sense of moral bankruptcy that the citizens of the city had as they turned a blind eye towards the suffering of the child for their personal benefit. Roemer’s analysis lands at the same message but through a different means. Roemer argues that the character of the child in the story represents the marginalized and oppressed members of society. By using the child as a metaphor, Le Guin highlights the ethical problems with utilitarianism and the need for a more compassionate and just approach to society. Roemer suggests that Le Guin's story can be read as a call to action, encouraging readers to work towards a society in which the needs and desires of all individuals are taken into account. Within the article Roemer also talks about the unique ending that LeGuin’s story has and goes more in depth about the further meaning and reasoning behind this artistic choice that the author chose. "Le Guin's provocative