Literature is an essential means of delivering critical ideas regarding the surrounding world and the distinguishing features of society. Authors do not only aim at entertaining their readers but also focus on sharing personal views and opinions on various issues and processes happening in the communities. For instance, a philosophical story The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas, created by an American writer Ursula Le Guin, is one of the readings that encourage individuals to think. While analyzing this writing, people have the possibility to understand the author’s perspective and, eventually, establish an individual opinion on the same topic. Therefore, by discussing various examples from the story, the following paper will prove that Ursula Le Guin suggests that humans are naturally born monsters.
Before analyzing Le Guin’s idea using specific examples, it is necessary to understand what is the plot of The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas. The story starts with a portrayal of the annual Festival of Summer in the city of Omelas. In this place, the first day of summer is always welcomed with a glorious celebration that includes dancing, horse-riding, music, and children’s laughter. The author mentions that the population of Omelas is happy but not unintelligent or naïve; they understand what is right and wrong, necessary and worthless, harmless and destructive. Thus, the readers develop a feeling that this city is a perfect place to live in, and the community is ideal. Nevertheless, the story about a malnourished child changes people’s emotions towards the described city. The child is physically and mentally underdeveloped, lives alone in the basement of one of the city’s buildings, and is referred to as “it.” Everyone in Omelas knows about its existence but chooses not to help it because of the belief that the happiness of the whole city depends on the misery of this child.
The first indication of the fact that humans are naturally monsters is the way the citizens of Omelas treat the child. The author mentions that its life has not always been full of struggle and suffering. Several years ago, it was surrounded by care and love, and “it can remember sunlight and its mother’s voice.” The child begs people to let it out and promises that it will act appropriately. It “used to scream for help at night, and cry a good deal,” but once it understood that no one will ever rescue it, the child started to speak less and less often. Consequently, it is possible that the citizens of the city do not only know about the existence of the malnourished child, but they also put it to the basement themselves. Only monsters can leave human beings without proper nutrition, air, and sunlight and act indifferently towards other people.
In addition, the story proves that people are naturally monsters because while understanding the child’s misery, the citizens of Omelas care solely about personal benefits. Ursula Le Guin notes that some people understand the reason for the child’s suffering, “some do not, but they all understand that their happiness, the beauty of their city, the tenderness of their friendships” depend on the child’s torture. Even though individuals have a feeling that it is sinful to treat human beings with such indifference, they are not willing to lose all the advantages of their life for the happiness of one person. Some people feel disgusted and would be happy to help the child but are pressured by society to act in a selfish way to preserve the ideal life of Omelas. Consequently, a focus on personal satisfaction explains the author’s idea that people are naturally monsters.
The final supporting claim for the writer’s main idea is that the population of Omelas justifies its injustice towards the child. As time passes, individuals stop developing the feelings of pity and disgust; they realize that in case the child is released, it will not be able to be happy because of its underdevelopment. People tell themselves that the child “is too degraded and imbecile to know any real joy,” and its habits will not give an opportunity to accept human treatment. Therefore, by establishing these beliefs in their minds, the population of the city justifies its immoral actions and turns a blind eye to abusing behavior. Since people may feel that the child has a chance to live normally but are not ready to give up their happiness, they have to believe in the righteousness of injustice.
Overall, different works of literature give humans an opportunity to understand the world better and receive answers to various societal questions. The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula Le Guin is one of the philosophical stories that engage readers in the process of detailed analysis and highlight challenges present in society. By discussing the secret of one imaginary city, the author aims at delivering the idea that describes the real world people live in – humans are naturally monsters. Thus, the presented essay proved that the mentioned statement is the main claim of the author by providing several examples from the reading.