Margaret Gardner

One of the first reactions I had to this story was the sensation that things were not as joyous as the author spoke of. Throughout the first third of the story, Le Guin repeatedly seemed to attempt to justify that Omelas was not a sad place in the least, as well as explaining that these people were happy by definition, despite the fact that we do not say the words of cheer much anymore and all smiles have become archaic. In fact, much of the time, her justifications sound more like excuses and personal assumptions. Some examples that caused me to raise an eyebrow in argument were the trouble is that we have a bad habit, encouraged by pedants and sophistacates, of considering happiness as something rather stupid. Only pain is intellectual, only evil interesting., as well as to praise despair is to condemn delight, to embrace violence is to lose hold of everything else, and happiness is based on a just discrimination of what is necessary, what is neither nece ssary nor destructive, and what is destructive. The consistent switching back and forth between describing the people and the culture of Omelas and the authors personal opinion on how this society and culture views happiness leads me to believe that the author herself sensed that her arguments had holes in them and that the people of Omelas were not exactly as joyous or happy as she tries to portray, or else, she is well-aware that none of this is true completely and is trying to avoid saying it. The insecure realization in the author however was confirmed when she stated after the fact that the children were happy I wish I could convince you. In the middle of the article, Le Guins tone changes to an almost authoritative and sudden tone. Do you accept the festival, the city, the joy? she says, No? Then let me

describe one more thing. Following that short paragraph was a morose work that led one to look back at those questioning words, and find them to be an almost damning ultimatum of societal acceptance. Either you accept the joy of this land, or you will be banished to the shadowlands of the defective and invalid - everything that the townsfolk fear being and becoming; even acknowledging. Everything that the townsfolk wished they could stop, but did not know how. Reading through the separation and how horrific the dungeon was as well as the reactions of the people, I immediately thought back to Nazi Germany and how German civilians reacted to the mass discrimination and extermination of the Jews, Catholics, homosexuals, mentally ill, traitors, and anyone else seen as unclean, impure or potentially dangerous to Hitlers perfect society. Many Germans knew what was going on in the ghettos and concentration camps, and were very disgusted, but also knew that they couldnt do anything to stop it; it would only lead to being sent there themselves or else just immediately killed. Many other people believed it was a pity, but also believed that these non-aryans and barbarians were the cause of all the struggles of Post-war Germany. Likewise, some believed wholeheartedly that, the beauty of their city, the tenderness of their friendships, the health of the children, the wisdom of their scholars, the skill of their makers.. depend wholly on this childs abominable misery, and allowed it to happen, closing consciences Just like the citizens of Omelas. All those examples of Germans can be found to describe the people of Omelas. Also, the ones who walk away can be found within this analogy of Nazi Germany as well. A perfect example of someone who disagreed with the German society at that time was the famous actress Marlene Dietrich who is still considered a wartime traitor to some Germans for joining the American Wartime effort against Germany.

Finally, regarding the ones who walk away from Omelas, is the tone in which the author concludes her writing:

They leave Omelas, they walk ahead into the darkness, and they do not come back. The place they go towards is a place even less imaginable to most of us than the city of happiness. I cannot describe it at all. It is possible that it does not exist. But they seem to know where they are going, the ones who walk away from Omelas.

These last few sentences truly capture the essence of mind trapped in a cult-like society. Those who disagree, but say nothing and walk back into the world an unfathomable world. Perhaps a world that doesnt exist at all. But why would we need to study such a world? Our society is perfect and superior! To leave such a wonderful place?! Unfathomable!