This story is quite unconventional in terms of its narrative structure. The setting is established and the action of the plot begins, but the plot is never developed. Instead, the author focuses on the nature of Omelas and its culture, revealing the shocking truth upon which the unlimited happiness of its citizens is based. An innocent child is locked away somewhere below the surface of the town, tormented and abused and isolated from human compassion or aide. To comfort or save this single child would destroy happiness for all the others in Omelas.
In the exposition, Le Guin then reveals an amazing fact. Sometimes when the young in Omelas first view the child and sometimes, years later, there are those in Omelas who simply walk away from the town where they can live in complete happiness. They simply leave, even though they do not know where they will go or what they will encounter in the outside world. They are the ones who leave Omelas, and in their action, the theme of the story is realized.
It can be stated in many ways, but the heart of the writer's truth lies in this idea. To be truly human, a person cannot accept happiness that results from the immoral and cruel victimization and suffering of others; in order to preserve one's humanity, a moral choice must be made when confronted with such an evil in his society, regardless of the personal consequences.
No comments:
Post a Comment