The Once Known Utopian Society
“The Once Known Utopian Society” Throughout the course of history, many great men and women have envisioned a world with only peace and prosperity; however, there is always some sort of defect in every society. These defects may range from religious differences to inequalities, but they do exist. The great society of the Omelas has a variety of: diversity, wealth, and happiness, yet a troubling story on the basis of their foundation. The value and responsibility of an individual can have profound effects upon your: judgment, peers, and your society. When a society lives a wealthy and fulfilling place one can never anticipate an impending doom. Ursula Le Guin, arguably does an excellent job of surprising the reader by adding this unforgettable quote, “Do you believe? Do you accept the festival, the city, the joy? No? Then let me describe one more thing” (Le Guin 3). After reading that quote I could only assume how bad could this “new” event truly be. Due to an anti climax change, one could only assume the worst for this utopian society. However it continues to surprise me how the Omelas lack the slightest amount of remorse when they hear the cries of the child. More so I was devastated over the fact that their entire utopian civilization is based upon this little child. Again Le Guin portrays this boy by providing very vital information: “some of them understand why, and some do not, but they all understand that their happiness the beauty of their city, the tenderness of their friendships, the health of their children, the wisdom of their scholars, the skill of their makers, even the abundance of their harvest and the kindly weathers of their skies, depends wholly on this child’s abominable misery” (Le Guin 3). To learn that the Omelas’ foundation is entirely made from this boy and the focus of the Omelas’ just puzzled me. In order to live in orgies, festivals, and full satisfaction, every Omela must see the boy and rid their body of any pity and anger. The