The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas

Essay, Research Paper

Would you sacrifice the happiness of another for your own happiness? Would you turn your cheek to a child in need if it would renounce your own rapture and change your life completely? Unfortunate to the way I was brought up and to my usual standards of thinking, I would have to answer these questions with a saddened “yes.” I must admit that my happiness, my success, and my prosperity are most important to me. These are the aspects of my life that I care most about. Not a day goes by where I don t think about the future, hope to be successful, and scare at the thought of life after college. My future encompasses the majority of my daily thoughts and actions and I would not sacrifice my chance at a decent posterity for anything, not even a child in need of my avail, no matter how great the need.

I care very much about my life as a whole and want it to flourish to great extent. I have always been a very career-oriented person and my future is what is most important to me. I am willing to do whatever it takes to strive. I am willing to work hard and struggle towards my goal, no matter how difficult the feat.

I believe my biggest talent to be my voice, and therefore do everything possible to be active in that field of study. I want nothing more than to succeed in life, and I would like to do this with that which showcases and makes evident my ability and talent. I feel that this, for me, lies in singing, and my ability to perform. Therefore, I sing whenever possible and do my best to take part in any and every choral group, as well as take advantage of solo opportunities.

I have little doubt that I can make it in this world on my own competency and talent. Also, I believe that if you truly want something and work hard enough at it, anything is possible. I especially believe this in my own case. However, that level of disbelief still exists. Nothing is ever certain, including my own future. I am terrified of the future; I am afraid of the “real world.” There is nothing more frightening to me than that first step into reality, that first day after I graduate college. I have no idea what I will be doing. Who knows whether or not I will get that “big break” into the music business or if I will be working for minimum wage at a movie theatre for the rest of my life.

I detest not knowing exactly how I will be spending my eternity. I wish for certainty; I want answers. I d like to know now whether or not I will make it as a musician. I do want more than anything to do so, but I do not know what the future holds.

Once again, posed with the question, “would you sacrifice someone else s happiness for your own happiness?” I would have to reluctantly answer “yes.” Unfortunately, yes, I would sacrifice someone else s happiness for my own. Caring as much as I do about my own future and rapture, I would sacrifice someone else s bliss in a moment.

After reading Ursula K. Le Guin s short story, “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas,” I have come to the conclusion that I would not be one to walk away. In my Utopia I am a notable musician, respected by adults, admired by children, envied by fellow singers. I have wealth and prosperity, a big house and a beautiful family. I am not uncertain of anything anymore. I know that life will always be pleasant and that I will always be happy. My career will forever be rich and my home life everlastingly comfortable, and most importantly I know what the future holds. How could I give this up for anything? It is my dream, my heaven on earth. I could not possibly sacrifice that for anything or anyone.

If it were to be true Utopia for me there would be no child locked in a basement. I don t see how there could be a “perfect world” with consequences and limits to this bliss. A perfect world for everyone but this child? It doesn t seem quite fair, or even thinkable. It is certainly unreasonable. Is it truly a perfect world if one must suffer at the hands of everyone else?

However, if this were to be so, if my tranquillity existed solely on this little child s sadness and dejectedness, I would sorrowfully have to turn the other cheek. Regret and guilt, I m sure, would comprise my thoughts. Nevertheless, my own satisfaction takes precedence in my life. Perhaps this is selfish on my part and perhaps there are many who would disagree with me, but I stand by my decision regardless.

It is everyone s own choice whether or not to walk away from Omelas. It is my choice to stay. I choose to “live happily ever after” in my Utopia and nothing can influence that decision. Try not to hate me because I care about my own happiness; do not scorn me for my brutal honesty. I m sure there are many others who would choose to walk away from Omelas and I m sure there are many others who would gladly stay. What s most important here is that everyone has a choice.

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