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zatulasma's review against another edition
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vedika17's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
yars_reading_corner's review against another edition
5.0
The ingenuity of Ursula comes into play when she has such a range for writing both The Wizard of Earthsea and this thrilling, thought-provoking short essay, that is somehow a short story, but also a philosophical ethical question and dilemma.
The allegory is that we as a society usually thrive, and are happy on the expense of other peoples miseries.
In our modern day this comes into play when there is societal classes and invisible discrimination of humanity, whether it be fast fashion on the backbone of child labor, or using the work force of refugees by first world countries and not giving them basic rights such as permanent residency or access to free healthcare.
The allegory is that we as a society usually thrive, and are happy on the expense of other peoples miseries.
In our modern day this comes into play when there is societal classes and invisible discrimination of humanity, whether it be fast fashion on the backbone of child labor, or using the work force of refugees by first world countries and not giving them basic rights such as permanent residency or access to free healthcare.
nyxesss's review against another edition
4.0
I went into this story blindly and it truly impressed me. I think I have heard of it before and I'm truly update I didn't read this personally sooner. I often ponder the meaning of life, our way of life and the cost of it. This story brings up such an interesting dilemma, what would we do in their stand? The child is clearly suffering but yet as the author said "Even if the child could be released, it would not get much good of its freedom: a little vague pleasure of warmth and food, no doubt, but little more." And yet is it still worth it to free the child because it would still never know the same happiness as them, if it wouldn't suffer they would suffer with it. The people of Omelas aren't ignorant of the child and it makes us wonder if knowing of the sacrifice for their happiness and doing makes them bad or good people. I personally think that the fact they know of the sacrifice and make the best of it, appreciating it and not taking it for granted makes them at least better than us. Most of us aren't even that happy and we still live knowing of poverty, homelessness and people in need and do nothing. Also the story is written in a unique way not seen often (at least in my usual genre), it is written not from the point of the people but from "above" if you will, as a spectator, a storyteller to show that the story is unbiased and truly neutral to encourage us to form our own opinion.
Please tell of your opinion, here's some quotes to help you form your opinion:
'But to praise despair is to condemn delight, to embrace violence is to lose hold of everything else.'
'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, depend wholly on this child’s abominable misery. If the child were brought up into the sunlight out of that vile place, if it were cleaned and fed and comforted, that would be a good thing, indeed; but if it were done, in that day and hour all the prosperity and beauty and delight of Omelas would wither and be destroyed.'
'They all know it is there, all the people of Omelas. No matter how well the matter has been explained to them, these young spectators are always shocked and sickened at the sight. They feel disgust, which they had thought themselves superior to. They feel anger, outrage, impotence, despite all the explanations. They would like to do something for the child. But there is nothing they can do. If the child were brought up into the sunlight out of that vile place, if it were cleaned and fed and comforted, that would be a good thing, indeed; but if it were done, in that day and hour all the prosperity and beauty and delight of Omelas would wither and be destroyed. Those are the terms. To exchange all the goodness and grace of every life in Omelas for that single, small improvement: to throw away the happiness of thousands for the chance of the happiness of one: that would be to let guilt within the walls indeed.'
'The terms are strict and absolute; there may not even be a kind word spoken to the child.'
Characters 6
Writing 8
Plot 8
Entertainment 8
7.5★
Please tell of your opinion, here's some quotes to help you form your opinion:
'But to praise despair is to condemn delight, to embrace violence is to lose hold of everything else.'
'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, depend wholly on this child’s abominable misery. If the child were brought up into the sunlight out of that vile place, if it were cleaned and fed and comforted, that would be a good thing, indeed; but if it were done, in that day and hour all the prosperity and beauty and delight of Omelas would wither and be destroyed.'
'They all know it is there, all the people of Omelas. No matter how well the matter has been explained to them, these young spectators are always shocked and sickened at the sight. They feel disgust, which they had thought themselves superior to. They feel anger, outrage, impotence, despite all the explanations. They would like to do something for the child. But there is nothing they can do. If the child were brought up into the sunlight out of that vile place, if it were cleaned and fed and comforted, that would be a good thing, indeed; but if it were done, in that day and hour all the prosperity and beauty and delight of Omelas would wither and be destroyed. Those are the terms. To exchange all the goodness and grace of every life in Omelas for that single, small improvement: to throw away the happiness of thousands for the chance of the happiness of one: that would be to let guilt within the walls indeed.'
'The terms are strict and absolute; there may not even be a kind word spoken to the child.'
Characters 6
Writing 8
Plot 8
Entertainment 8
7.5★
kawthar114's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
ruthwik's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
fancy_cherry's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25