Dystopian Society in The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas Literary Essay Sample

“The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” is a short story written by Ursula Le Guin that explores the secrets of a dystopian city. The author strategically describes the kindled happiness that is held within Omelas and the consequences of their joy. A dystopian society is generally viewed as one that is disastrous. Although pictured as an idealistic society, the information disclosed, and hidden beneath the ruins, is demented. Le Guin uses the elements of dystopian fiction to illustrate the corrupt nature of our society. 

The first element of dystopian literature is government control. This refers to the exercise of political authority over actions and affairs. In “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”, there is no direct leader, “But there was no King” (Le Guin 2).  Le Guin describes the role of government in this time period and the barbaric intentions that political figures have. It is evident that Omelas avoids administration to prolong tranquility.  “They did not use swords, or keep slaves” (Le Guin 2). The idea of an authoritative King and structured laws in Omelas would ruin the freedom of the people. Nor, did the people need a monarch, simply because they were held together by their secret. 

Omelas is a beautiful, romanticized city. On both sides of the border stand a sea, mountains, and fields of green. The children run freely, naked, with stained feet. The city itself is ancient. The buildings are structured with red roofs, accented by moss-grown gardens and avenues of trees. The people that inhabit this area are decorous. Although setting the scene to be majestic, there is a hidden building that is anything but elegant. In the corridor of one of these homes is a room, “It has one locked door and no window. In one corner of the little room a couple of mops, with stiff, clotted, foul-smelling heads stand near a rusty bucket” (Le Guin 4). This room, though secretly contained within the town, demonstrates the dystopian element of environmental destruction. Omelas is seemingly flauntless, embellished with nature and well-mannered people. Looking into the city, the element of destruction is not present, that is until introduced to the feeble child. 

Omelas was not technologically advanced, nor did they appeal to any mechanics or telecommunications. They avoided these advancements, ultimately to keep their society as manipulative as possible, “I think that there would be no cars or helicopters in and above the streets; this follows from the fact that the people of Omelas are happy people” (Le Guin 2). With subtle control of the lives of the citizens in this town, everyone is manageable. Technology could be a dangerous threat to Omelas and ruin the naturally archaic essence. In dystopian fiction, authors can use technology to illustrate the abuse of new-age machinery or the benefits it provides in the effects of progression. In Ursula Le Guin’s short story, she used this aspect to enhance the raw, minor industrialization of the city. 

Survival, another aspect of dystopian literature, is not demonstrated by sacrifice, nor a battle for life. Instead, it is demonstrated by the people’s choices. At a young age, children are introduced to the feeble child. Le Guin writes, “Some of them understand that their happiness depends wholly on this child’s abominable misery” (Le Guin 5). Above all, they have the choice to leave. Since Omelas has no regulations, there were no mere aspects of survival. Some citizens, however, could not live with the guilt, “But they seem to know where they are going, the ones who walk away from Omelas” (Le Guin 7). 

Looking into the city of Omelas, it seems exemplary. The people are happy, always smiling, and free. The citizens may be jocular, but they have no individualism. One might imagine that without an idealistic figure, the people would be disorderly. They do not need rules, authority, or religion, for the child in the basement keeps everyone grounded. A secret, especially one that is vastly repulsive, leaves the people with angst. Citizens of Omelas were simply equal, and seemingly too afraid to be themselves. 

Le Guin uses the elements of dystopian literature to illustrate corrupt nature: government control, environmental destruction, technological control, survival, and loss of individualism. “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” depicts the futuristic society in which people have lost themselves and any sort of structure. Her short story serves as both a fictional tale and a warning. Society is slowly diminishing, forcing people to conform and fall under the control of a corrupt government.