Who Walk Away From Omelas Essay, Research Paper
Literary Essay:
“The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas”
At times, in order for one to be happy, one may sometimes base and compare their happiness on the misfortunes of others. The Child, in the story “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” by Ursula K. Leguin, is used as a significant symbol to effectively create emotional responses in the readers mind, and is also used to criticise the members of today’s society. Finally in the end, the symbol of the child relays a strong message to the reader, concerning the bases of ones happiness.
Throughout the entire story, because of the effective description used, the author was able to captivate the readers emotions in many different ways. To begin, a child portrays images of innocence, loveliness, and other such beautified characteristics. A child is a human being, who as any other, has feelings and emotions. However, in this short story, the child was portrayed as completely different.
“It is so thin there are no calves to its legs; its belly protrudes; it lives on a
half-bowl of corn meal and grease a day. It is naked. Its buttocks and thighs
are a mass of festered sores, as it sits in its own excrement continually.”
(Le Guin, p. 258)
Furthermore, the reader also becomes aware of the filthy, unsanitary surroundings that the child is subjected to. (Le Guin, p. 259) After being given such a detailed description of the child, as well as his/her environment, feelings of pity, and disgust enter the readers mind. Moreover, when the reader realizes that it is because of this appalling child that the citizens of Omelas receive their happiness, and that the sole reason for this child’s existence is only because he/she is used as a sacrifice; the reader then begins to experience feelings of disbelief and sadness for the child. The child is portrayed with the use of such vivid description so that the reader is able to feel sympathetic towards the child, and perhaps come to realization of what society is like today.
In this story, the author gives the reader an idea of how cruel and selfish those in a society can be when it comes to their own fortunes. When the citizens of Omelas see the child, some feel pity, and some don’t. “Often the young people go home in tears, or in a tearless rage, when they have seen the child and faced this terrible paradox.” (Le Guin, p.259) However, what do they do to put an end to this type of cruelty towards this child? Nothing. Sure they feel as though they would like to, but how many really do? The author seems to use the symbol of this child to make the readers, as members of society, become aware of issues such as this, that are occurring frequently in the world today. In the story, it seems as though the citizens of Omelas are denying what the child is forced to go through. Although they become aware of the conditions the child is subject to, and how mistreated he/she is by the citizens of Omelas, (Le Guin, p. 258) they do not want to change the situation, for if they did, it would mean the discontinuation of their own happiness.
“If the child were brought up into the sunlight out of that vile place, if it were
cleaned and fed and comforted, that would be a good thing, indeed; but if it
were done, in that day and hour all the prosperity and beauty and delight of
Omelas would wither and be destroyed.”
(Leguin, p. 259)
When looking at third world countries where sickness, malnutrition, neglect and abuse are exposed all over, there are many people who feel pity, unfortunately there is very little action taken to change this. The author uses the child in the story to symbolize the other children in the world who are mistreated as horribly as the child, based on someone else’s expense.
Moreover, there is a strong message given to the readers. Although, the author seems as though she is moralizing, the readers are not being lectured to. The reader is given the surroundings of the child, and what the child is subjected to, and are given a choice: accept this treatment of the child, or walk away. (Le Guin, p. 260) Nevertheless, the author also wants the reader to see the irony of the situation where the child is necessary to the society, because the author is trying to tell the reader that everyone needs something against which to compare their existence. One is able to know how well off they are in their country after making the comparison of the lives of people in other countries. As foolish as it sounds, the author is trying to relay the message, without others as a basis of comparison, how does one measure happiness?
In conclusion, it is because of this symbolic child that Le Guin has been able to draw in the reader emotionally, as well as make the reader aware of the issues happening in our society today. The author has also been able to effectively convey the message to the reader, the great unfortunate it is that in order for one to realize his/her blessings, they must compare it with those of the less fortunate.
37c
Другие работы по теме:
How Does The Moon Control The Sea
Essay, Research Paper Symbolism is one of the most important techniques in literature; it helps the reader to understand and visualize what the author is trying to convey. In the novel Bless Me Ultima, by Rudolofo Anaya symbolism runs rampant, the sea and the moon represent the conflicting sources pulling apart a young boy approaching the reaching the age of reason.
Hiding From The Truth Essay Research Paper
Hiding From The Truth! In the reading, “The Story of an Hour,” many things weren t as they seemed. This is called symbolism. Where one write something and it symbolizes another thing. For example, someone s blood gets warmer. That wouldn t symbolize them getting hot, it symbolizes them having a warm and happy feeling about something.
Symbolism And The Great Gatsby Essay Research
Paper The symbolism of colors in the novel There a several colors used for symbolism in the novel “The Great Gatsby”. For example the colors BLUE, GREEN, WHITE and YELLOW are used throughout the book.
My Antonia Essay Research Paper 2
My Antonia Essay, Research Paper "My Antonia," by Willa Cather has many symbols through out the novel. Symbolism reflects her own views as a child through her life. Some of these
Chrysanthemums Essay Research Paper Over the past
Chrysanthemums Essay, Research Paper Over the past few months in class we have learned about many aspects of literature. Some examples of them are characterization, setting, style, tone, allegory, theme, and symbolism. I chose to write this essay about the symbolism aspect that is featured in so many great works of literature.
Symbolism The Chrysanthemums Essay Research Paper Symbolism
Symbolism- The Chrysanthemums Essay, Research Paper Symbolism- “The Chrysanthemums John Steinbecks’ “The Chrysanthemums” is a story that utilizes symbolism on many levels. Most of all, I believe in the character of Elisa Adams. Elisa and her garden seem to be considered one. Because of all of her hard labor and love the Chrysanthemums flourish.
English 101 Essay Research Paper In comparing
English 101 Essay, Research Paper In comparing and contrasting the stories ?Worn Path? and ?Young GoodMann Brown?. Several things come to mind . We see that both authors use a lot of symbolism
Glass Menagerie 2
Glass Menagerie – Symbolism Of The Unicorn Essay, Research Paper The symbolism of the unicorn has two very different meanings. One of the symbols is happiness and love. The other one symbols sadness and hatred. You first come into contact with the unicorn when Jim sees it. This is where the first symbolism comes into place.
The Raven Symbolism Essay Research Paper
“The Raven” Symbolism In Poe s “The Raven” the most obvious symbol is the Raven its self. Why would Poe use a non-reasoning creature to recite the refrain of “nevermore?” I believe Poe uses the non-reasoning raven because to us it would make little to no sense, and frustrate us because were a reasoning creature that can answer the question.
Symbolism In Trifles Essay Research Paper Susan
Symbolism In Trifles Essay, Research Paper Susan Glaspell wrote Trifles in the early 1900 s long before the modern women s movement began. Symbolism is used in the play so that the audience is able to see through the eyes of Minnie Wright, and determine why she killed her husband. Character s names, the bird, and a quilt are three key symbols Glaspell uses in the play to provide the audience with the insight on the never heard, or seen characters, Minnie and John Wright.
Au Revior Les Enfants Essay Research Paper
592099243 Au Revior Les Enfants The movie Au Revior Les Enfants ,or Goodbye Children translated, has a lot of symbolism that applies to the film?s theme and subject in its title alone. The theme of childhood, innocence, and adulthood-growing up and the subject of the movie is seen in the title and throughout the entire film.
Flight Essay Research Paper Flight by John
Flight Essay, Research Paper Flight by John Steinbeck In his classic short story, “Flight,” John Steinbeck uses many examples of symbolism to foreshadow the conclusion. Symbolism can be anything, a person, place or thing, used to portray something beyond itself. It is used to represent or foreshadow the ending of the story.
All About Style Essay Research Paper Regina
All About Style Essay, Research Paper Regina Kerbs October 20, 1999 M/W 8:30 – 9:50 All About Style Every writer illustrates a certain style in his/her work. Kate Chopin uses the same style in her short stories “The Story of an Hour” and “Ripe Figs.” This style includes her use of diction, imagery, and symbolism.
Symbolism And Imagery In William Blakes Poem
The Echoing Green Essay, Research Paper From dancing daffodils to a wandering breeze, poets use many different literary tools to help express their thoughts. The dictionary defines symbolism as the representation of things by means of a symbol. Imagery, also a type of symbol, can be defined as mental images or figures of speech.
Symbolism In Hamlet Essay Research Paper Symbolism
Symbolism In Hamlet Essay, Research Paper Symbolism in Hamlet Though not much has been written on symbolism in Shakespeare?s Hamlet, there is some there. The first symbol is found in the very first scene of the play. The changing of the guards can be a symbol of the new King in Denmark. Just as the guards are changing, so is the royal throne.
Symbolism Joy Luck Essay Research Paper Symbolism
Symbolism Joy Luck Essay, Research Paper Symbolism of The Joy Luck Club and The Zoo Story There are numerous conditions in human life that mold people into who they presently are. A person’s identity and way of thinking are influenced greatly due to their surroundings, and relationships they are involved in.
The Great Gatsby Light Symbolism Essay Research
Paper The Great Gatsby Symbolism Essay The Hidden Story in Green and White Color symbolism is really popular in novels written during the 1920’s. One such example is Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. There is much color symbolism in this novel, but there are two main colors that stand out more than the others.
The Use Of Symbolism In Their Eyes
Were Watching God Essay, Research Paper How symbolism is used in Their Eyes Were Watching God Zora Neale Hurston uses symbolism to enhance characterization in her novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, and symbolism is portrayed through the heroine of the novel, Janie Crawford. Three uses of symbolism are through Janie s hair, the store porch, and the pear tree.
Hawthorne And Symbolism Essay Research Paper Hawthorne
Hawthorne And Symbolism Essay, Research Paper Hawthorne and Symbolism Symbolism is a key in all or most writings. Symbolism is what the reader needs in order to use his imagination. In “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, through different symbolism, Hawthorne writes about a man who in his coming of age.
The Great Gatsby Symbolism Essay Research Paper
The Great Gatsby: Symbolism In this novel there is lots of reflection on symbolism, and especially colored symbolism. In this novel symbolism is a very important factor, it shows us the difference between the different characters and scenes in the novel. The color green influences the story a lot. Green shows many thoughts, ideas, attitudes, and choices that Gatsby has throughout the story.
Symbolism Essay Research Paper I have
Symbolism Essay, Research Paper : I have never understood the purpose of digging about for symbolism in and author’s work, and comparing the symbolism in 2
Much Symbolism Essay Research Paper Nature
Much Symbolism Essay, Research Paper Nature’s Symbolism Much symbolism is used in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. The nature on the island is used as the primary source of symbolism. There are three main uses of nature’s symbolism: a pink conch shell, a pig’s head, and fire. Nature is a symbol that parallels to the real world.
Symbollism In The Scarlett Letter Essay Research
Paper British Literature Matt Gordon 9-22-96 Symbolism In The Scarlet Letter Symbolism in literature is the deepness and hidden meaning in a piece of work. It is often used to represent a moral or religious belief or value. Without symbolism literature is just a bunch of meaningless words on paper. The most symbolic piece of work in American Literature is Nathaniel Hawthorne?s The Scarlet Letter.
Symbolism Essay Research Paper In the novel
Symbolism Essay, Research Paper In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, symbolism is the key literary device. Symbolism is when one thing stands for another. It is a sin to kill a mockingbird. This is because mockingbirds do not harm anything, they just sing to you. The mockingbird symbolized both Tom Robinson and Boo Radley.
Lord Of The FliesSymbolism Essay Research Paper
Symbolism is defined as the representation; treatment or interpretation of things as symbolic. In society and in particular, literature, symbolism is a prominent component that helps to illustrate a deeper meaning then perceived by the reader. Symbolism can be anything, a person, place or thing, used to portray something beyond itself.
Scarletletter Symbolism Essay Research Paper The Scarlet
Scarletletter Symbolism Essay, Research Paper The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne uses many things for symbolism and in my opinion the most symbolic were the scaffold scenes. There are a total of three scaffold scenes and each has its own purpose and meaning. Without the scaffold scenes this book would basically leave you clueless to what was really going on because the scaffold scenes really tell you what is going on and why.
Symbolism In The Graduate Essay Research Paper
Symbolism exists in all aspects of stories from written literature to motion pictures. Symbolism helps the writer or director to express a deeper meaning by using images that signify something beyond the obvious. The Graduate, starring Dustin Hoffman, is full of such images. Some of these symbols include Mrs.
A Farewell To Arms Essay Research Paper 2
A Farewell To Arms- Essay, Research Paper A Farewell to Arms- The book A Farewell to Arms, written by Ernest Hemingway, is a classic about the love story of a nurse and a war ridden soldier. The story
Symbolism In Hawthorn
’s “Young Goodman Brown” Essay, Research Paper Jessie Reed English 253 September 19, 2001 Symbolism in “Young Goodman Brown” Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown” is full of symbolism throughout the story. Perhaps the most interesting examples of symbolism include the title character, Young Goodman Brown, as well as his wife, Faith, and the woods that Young Goodman Brown enters on his journey.
The Symbolism Of The Scarlet Letter
’s Pearl Essay, Research Paper The Scarlet Letter is a book of much symbolism. One of the most complex and misunderstood symbols in the book is Pearl, the daughter of Hester Prynne. Pearl, throughout the story, develops into a dynamic symbol – one that is always changing. In the following essay, I will explore some of the symbolism which Pearl came to represent throughout the novel.
An Interpretation Of Earnest Hemingway
’s Symbolism Essay, Research Paper An Interpretation of Earnest Hemingway’s Symbolism In order to understand symbolism, a reader must learn that it is a non-superficial representation of an idea or belief that goes beyond what is “seen.” Earnest Hemingway’s “A Clean Well-Lighted Place” uses symbolism to help convey the theme of Nihilism, the philosophy that there is nothing heavenly to believe in.
The Faith Of Young Goodman Brown Essay
, Research Paper Timothy Wenk Bailey Engl. 1302 16 Feb. 2000 The Faith of Young Goodman Brown Faith, and the struggle to keep it, is the theme of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown.” In this story, Hawthorne gives Goodman Brown’s wife the name of Faith for the obvious symbolism and irony it creates.
Symbolism In To Kill A Mockingbird Essay
, Research Paper Symbolism in To Kill a Mockingbird In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee exhibited numerous examples of symbolism. Prejudice, being one of the main themes of the novel, it was also the main base of symbolism. The rabid, or mad dog, symbolized many things, the courage of Atticus being the central one.
Simbolism In The Great Gatsby Essay Research
Paper CRITICAL ANALYSIS on the SYMBOLISM In the GREAT GATSBY The novel THE GREAT GATSBY is rich with symbolism. Two of the most apparent of these are the green light and the names of the people who attended Mr. Gatsby’s parties. These are just some the symbolism that occur in the book, but they are the ones that I will be talking about in this critical analysis.