This story was very interesting and thought-provoking. Omelas is a city of happiness and inner joy. They throw festivals and celebrate. It is even referred to as the town of happiness. At the end of the festival, they race horses. It is a very interesting town.
The story of the boy is the most intriguing part of this story. He sits down in a cold basement alone. He doesn’t move. He is constantly afraid. He is naked. He “sits in his own excrements.” This boy suffers day in and day out with no hope. Here is the interesting part; Omelas happiness is dependent on his suffering. Not one person is willing to help him in fear of losing happiness. Is there not one person of integrity? The story says the people have compassion on him, but do they really if they’re not willing to help? The story also says that there is nothing they can do to help him. How isn’t there? To cause a child to suffer for your own happiness is selfish and understood.
What about “the ones who walk away from omelas?” That is what the story is called. Are they in the right leaving the town? Is it because they do not support this idea of making a child suffer? It seems they have good intentions, but is it really right to just leave and not do anything to help the child?
We always think that sin is something that someone does, but the Bible says that it can also be something that someone doesn’t do. Letting a child suffer when you can do something about it is sin. These people are wrongfully sinning. Jesus sacrificed his happiness, even his life, so that He could give us freedom. Should this child not be given a chance at freedom?
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