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samdalefox's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Absolutely stunning short story. I wasn't sure what all the fuss was about until Le Guin introduced the endlessly suffering child . After that I was fully onboard. Her commentary on human nature is true and devastating. The suffering child represents any number of real-world examples of the ways people compromise their morals in the name of convenience, comfort, and expediency. This short story ultimately asks us what is the price of utopia? What are the ethics of sacrifice? (As justified by utilitarianism). Are any of us free when one person remains unfree?
At first I thought those that walk away from Omelas would choose to take the place of the suffering child , join it, help it, or at the very least openly question the necessity. But no, they walk away. They wash their hands of the moral problem. This is a horrifying reflection of our society today. I wish this story was read by all.
My favourite quotes and another member's review below:
At first I thought those that walk away from Omelas would choose to take the place of
My favourite quotes and another member's review below:
"The trouble is that we have a bad habit, encouraged by pedants and sophisticates, of considering happiness as something rather stupid. This is the treason of the artist: a refusal to admit the banality of evil and the terrible boredom of pain. "
"Happiness is based on a just discrimination of what is necessary, what is neither necessary nor destructive, and what is destructive."
"Their tears at the bitter injustice dry when they begin to perceive the terrible justice of reality, and to accept it. Yet it is their tears and anger, the trying of their generosity and the acceptance of their helplessness, which are perhaps the true source of the splendor of their lives. Theirs is no vapid, irresponsible happiness. They know that they, like the child, are not free."
bitchbane's review
4 ★’s — fantastic short story on morality and the value of human life.
the ones who walk away from omelas presents a unique examination of morality, the value of human life, and the cost of civilization. posing a sort of societal 'trolley problem,' le guin forces readers to consider where they draw the line between acceptable loss and unjustifiable abuse. how do you define right and wrong? what is the real cost of "civilized" society? would you shut up and let a child be neglected and abused to maintain a perfect utopia for everyone else?
this story was much different than what i thought going into it. i expected something heavy on emotional contemplation and what it means to be human, perhaps from the perspective of someone who is trying to decide if they're going to walk away or stay. instead it was more of a parable talking about a broader issue.
interestingly, none of the people who are 'the ones who walk away from omelas' rescued the child. they decided to leave the utopia rather than staying or rescuing the child. this, to me, isn't worthy of dignified praise, they've just made it 'not their problem' anymore.
i thought le guin's approach and conversation about this topic was interesting and new. it's a new take on the trolley problem, discussing ethical dilemmas, and contemplating what humanity is worth. fantastic short story!
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Violence
artemisg's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Ursula keeps knocking it out of the park. This was so simple, yet so powerful. I love accessible and consumable philosophical writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Confinement
Moderate: Child death
rory_john14's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Ableism
Moderate: Sexual content and Drug use
Minor: Excrement and Physical abuse
kendrakeuler's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It was incredible such an interesting concept. When I started reading it I didn't know what I was getting into but this was truely gut wrench and I'm still unsure what I would do. You think it would be an easy decision but in reality we live in our own version Omelas our success always comes from comes down fall because at the end of the day if everyone is a winner no one can truely be a winner. I also think a lot of their joy sentence from the fact that they're grateful for what they do have because they see where they could be. Just like when we are able to recognize and get joy out of being grateful when realize what we have at others don't. To Some this up this is story poses an incredible philosophical question and makes you question whether at the end of the day group happiness out way one persons happiness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Child abuse, Confinement, Abandonment, and Excrement
littledarlin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thank u bts
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Excrement
hoiyan's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
“Omelas already exists; no need to build it or choose it. We already live here—in the narrow, foul, dark prison we let our ignorance, fear, and hatred build for us and keep us in, here in the splendid, beautiful city of life.”
one of the many discussions and takes on the moral dilemma behind living and thriving at the expense of others' (specifically a child's) suffering. Le Guin explicitly writes with the set 'rule' of the child's suffering being directly accountable for the freedom of Omelas (which in turn, is linked to its downfall).
a very upsetting and haunting dilemma. it's built up to not have a right answer, or any answer.
not only did Le Guin present two options—help the child which would lead to the mass suffering of the whole population, or leave the child alone to suffer and enjoy your freedom in this utopia-esque world within Omelas—but also presented a third option: walking away from Omelas.
“They go on. 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."
we're given no explicit description or any indicators on what is outside of Omelas, and leave us with more conflicts to work through: saving the child and thus causing mass suffering, leaving the child to suffer and live your happy life, or turning away away from both the child in need of saving, and the utopia world of Omelas.
one of the many discussions and takes on the moral dilemma behind living and thriving at the expense of others' (specifically a child's) suffering. Le Guin explicitly writes with the set 'rule' of the child's suffering being directly accountable for the freedom of Omelas (which in turn, is linked to its downfall).
a very upsetting and haunting dilemma. it's built up to not have a right answer, or any answer.
not only did Le Guin present two options—help the child which would lead to the mass suffering of the whole population, or leave the child alone to suffer and enjoy your freedom in this utopia-esque world within Omelas—but also presented a third option: walking away from Omelas.
“They go on. 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."
we're given no explicit description or any indicators on what is outside of Omelas, and leave us with more conflicts to work through: saving the child and thus causing mass suffering, leaving the child to suffer and live your happy life, or turning away away from both the child in need of saving, and the utopia world of Omelas.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Excrement, Drug use, and Alcohol
firefly's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Excrement
hllreka's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
Well i have no idea with this short stories...
Bagiku kisah dari warga kota Omelas begitu abstrak. Ada banyak pertanyaan yang bisa kutampung namun sepertinya Penulis memang terlihat sengaja untuk membiarkannya agar pembaca menentukan sendiri maksud dari kisah kota Omelas ini apa.
Seolah-olah penulis juga ingin menyerahkan keputusan akhir pada pembaca. Bagaimana kamu memahami dan memandang kebahagiaan, bagaimana seseorang meghadapi dilemanya soal moral dan etik, yang disampaikan olehnya dalam kisah The One Who Walk Away from Omelas
Akan sangat menyenangkan jika aku menemukan teman pembaca yang ingin berdiskusi soal buku ini..
Bagiku kisah dari warga kota Omelas begitu abstrak. Ada banyak pertanyaan yang bisa kutampung namun sepertinya Penulis memang terlihat sengaja untuk membiarkannya agar pembaca menentukan sendiri maksud dari kisah kota Omelas ini apa.
Seolah-olah penulis juga ingin menyerahkan keputusan akhir pada pembaca. Bagaimana kamu memahami dan memandang kebahagiaan, bagaimana seseorang meghadapi dilemanya soal moral dan etik, yang disampaikan olehnya dalam kisah The One Who Walk Away from Omelas
Akan sangat menyenangkan jika aku menemukan teman pembaca yang ingin berdiskusi soal buku ini..
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
elk_'s review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Violence, Torture, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
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