The Ones Who Walks Away From Omelas

The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas is a plotless, descriptive fiction work by Ursula K. Le Giun in 1973. The story is depicted by a narrator describing a utopian city called 'Omelas' during a summer festival in the city. They described the serenity and lively atmosphere in the city, 'Omelas sounds in my words like a city in a fairy tale, long ago and far away, once upon a time'. However, the reveal how the people's happiness and the city's prosperity is al due to a sacrificial child locked away in a cellar.

They also describe how the people of Omelas know of the child and while some chose their own happiness over the child's freedom, some feel a sense of guilt and ultimately leaves Omelas, 'They leave Omelas, they walk ahead into the darkness, and they do not come back'. 

https://www.utilitarianism.com/nu/omelas.pdf

History

According to Le Guin  she got the inspiration for the name of the city while seeing a road sign in Salem, Oregon, which may imply she takes inspiration from everyday occurrences in life. She was also inspired by Fyodor Dostoyevsky who was a Russian novelist, short story writer and philosopher, as well as William James, with this particular story being inspired by one of James' quotes:

"Or if the hypothesis were offered us of a world in which Messrs. Fourier's and Bellamy's and Morris's utopias should all be outdone, and millions kept permanently happy on the one simple condition that certain lost soul on the far-off edge of things should lead a lonely torture, what expect a sceptical and independent sort of emotion can it be which would make us immediately feel, even though an impulse arose within is to clutch at the happiness so offered, how hideous a thing would be its enjoyment when deliberately accepted as the fruit of such a bargain?"

• Scapegoatism - having the child suffer in exchange for the happiness and wealth of the city and its people. 

Appearance in Popular Culture 

The story was used as reference for group BTS' album 'You Never walk Alone' and music video for their song 'Spring Day'. The concept for  'You Never walk Alone' was conveying the hardship, alienation and loneliness one may feel, however realising their family and friends are right beside them. This can also link to the viewpoint of the people who walks away from Omelas and the possibility of feeling alone amongst those who decided to stay. 

The story was also referenced in their music video, with journey and destination as its main theme.  he usage of a train and the focus on a member constantly looking outside the window can reference the loneliness and isolation the child may feel in the cellar, and the obvious use of the word 'Omelas' as the name of the hotel the video also points out in references. Furthermore, a wide shot of 3 members standing outside the hotel seemingly being turned away also references the people who walks away from Omelas. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEeFrLSkMm8

Socio-cultural Links

• Social Hierarchies - the differences between the living standards of the poor and rich in society.
• Greed and Selfishness - most people stayed in Omelas knowing the existence of the child who is the sacrifice for their wealth and happiness. 
• Evil and Free Will - human free will touched upon in order to explain the evil in the world. Shows how people in Omelas are seem to be fine with knowing the child is suffering for their prosperity, and on the other hand, the people who decided to walk away did not even try to save the child or take the child with them.