Existentialism is visible in the work of Ursula K. Le Guin, “The ones who walk away from Omelas.” In this short story, the main characters refuse to follow the immoral attitudes of society and make their own choices which is the direct representation of existentialism which is beneficial for society.
First of all, it is necessary to gain a clear understanding of what existentialism is. It is a philosophical theory that people may not follow the requirements of the society around them. This is especially true when they consider what is happening to be immoral and contrary to their beliefs. In other words, individuals independently make any decisions and make choices based on their opinion. Existentialism can be helpful for society as it proclaims people’s freedom from restrictions that can inhibit free will and the development of a person’s potential.
Further, the theoretical approach of existentialism can be traced in the author’s work, and some patterns can be deduced. Furthermore, she emphasizes that people “know that they, like the child, are not free…” since they blindly follow the established rule in society that there will be no happiness without suffering (Le Guin, 2017, p. 4). Existentialism, in turn, emphasizes that action, freedom, and decision as fundamental to human existence. The literary work shows how characters refuse to blindly follow the unjust practices of the community in which they exist and agree to be “struck as goody-goody” (Le Guin, 2017, p. 3). They are unwilling to comply with norms because they consider them immoral, clearly understanding what is right and what is wrong and the guilt present in all people.
The concept of a person’s dependence on society is also manifested in the fact that people’s happiness directly depends on the suffering of other people. Consequently, residents realize that a child is sitting somewhere and experiencing a whole set of negative emotions, but they just try to ignore his pain and reassure themselves that he suffers for the joy of others. Moreover, “Happiness is based on a just discrimination of what is necessary” (Le Guin, 2017, p. 3). In this case, existentialism can also provide insight into this problem. Therefore, many people in a short story are not exercising their ability to think morally about all the bad things that are happening in society. Thus, even though they seem happy, this happiness is imaginary and false, and they have absolutely no moral convictions.
It is worth highlighting an exciting fact about the society represented by the author. Hence, those who still decide to stumble from social norms and orders never return to the city. At the same time, this is far from a negative fact, but only a positive one, since people have the opportunity to act freely and make decisions. However, at the same time, still, not one person who left did not dare to return to save the little boy. Henceforth, it can be concluded that these people escaped and Omelas was not wholly freed from social oppression.
Reference
Le Guin, U. K. (2017). The ones who walk away from Omelas. HarperCollins.