The People of Omelas: Those Who Have to Decide

The individual and society are two intertwined elements that influence each other. In her short story “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” (1974), Ursula K. Le Guin employs a distinctive approach to demonstrate these two concepts by illustrating a situation in which the preservation of the happiness, health, and prosperity of all individuals in Omelas society is ensured by the constant suffering of a child. Consequently, this moral dilemma divides Omelas society into two groups: those members who prioritize the collective happiness and are committed to achieving it, and those individuals who are motivated by their desire to leave. In the narrative, the moral dilemma depicted by Le Guin remains unresolved, thus inviting further examination. This study aims to present an objective analysis of the motives and justifications of opposing sides, offering readers a detailed understanding of the ideas and choices made by each. Therefore, the ones who focus on the collective interest and choose to stay are internalized with John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism theory, while the ones who choose to walk away by focusing on individual concerns are analysed with Transcendentalism approach.