Ursula Kroeber Le Guin (née Kroeber; October 21, 1929 – January 22, 2018) was an American author. She is best known for her works of speculative fiction, including science fiction works set in her Hainish universe, and the Earthsea fantasy series. Her work was first published in 1959, and her literary career spanned nearly sixty years, producing more than twenty novels and more than a hundred short stories, in addition to poetry, literary criticism, translations, and children's books. Frequently...
The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas
The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas
Synopsis
In this celebrated short story, Ursula K. Le Guin conjures Omelas, a shimmering city celebrating a summer festival — a place of music, joy, and untroubled happiness that the narrator dares the reader to believe in. Omelas seems too good to be true, and it is: the entire city's happiness depends, absolutely and knowingly, on the misery of a single child.
Somewhere beneath the beautiful city, a small child sits locked in a windowless room, half-starved and filthy, kept in perpetual wretchedness. Every citizen of Omelas learns of the child when they come of age, and understands that the moment anyone shows it kindness, all their prosperity will vanish. Most accept the bargain. A few, unable to live with it, simply walk away — toward a place the narrator cannot describe.
Le Guin's The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas is a spare, haunting philosophical fable about utilitarianism, complicity, and conscience — one of the most widely discussed short stories in modern literature.
Vibe
Genres
Characters
The ChildSupporting
The suffering child on whose misery all of Omelas's happiness depends.
Subjects
Places
Edition
The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas: A Story (A Wind's Twelve Quarters Story)Unknown, Feb
29 pages
Harper PerennialISBN: 97800624709733 editions available
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Frequently asked questions
Is "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" a standalone story?
This is a self-contained short story that does not require reading any other works by Ursula K. Le Guin to understand or appreciate it. It presents a complete narrative and philosophical exploration within its brief length.
Did "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" win any awards?
This story was awarded the Hugo Award for Best Short Story in 1974, recognizing its significant impact and literary merit within the science fiction and fantasy genres.
Is "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" commonly taught in schools?
Due to its concise nature and profound ethical questions, this story is frequently included in high school and college literature, philosophy, and ethics courses as a thought experiment.