I think the ones who leave Omelas go to far away cities and villages because they would not desire to be associated with the place where a child is imprisoned and made to suffer for the benefit of the community (Le Guin 115). It is possible that the neighboring cities are not filled with the kind of joy that is found in the Omelas. Even so, those exiting from Omela would rather stay in a place that is not as Utopia and delightful as Omelas as opposed to living happily at the expense of an unfortunate child. The Omelas is characterized by joyfulness and being lively. Moreover, it is claimed that the people in this city are well cultured and intelligent. However, things in the Omelas are not as rosy as they appear to be. Behind the city’s splendor was the dark secret that a child was imprisoned and tortured in order to guarantee their happiness. Most of the citizens in Omela did not like the idea, but they resigned themselves to the idea as the price for their happiness (Le Guin 120). However, there were those who could not bear the thought of enjoying themselves at the expense of another human being, a child for that matter.
This was inhuman and thus it was difficult for some people especially the young and old to condone this immoral practice. Therefore, I think those who could not stand the idea that a child was caused to suffer had no option, but to travel to villages faraway in order to distance themselves from this evil practice (Le Guin 124). There is a high likelihood that those who leave the Omelas go to cities or even villages where there is so much unhappiness probably due to poverty and suffering. Moreover, the inhabitants of those places are people who may be considered as uncultured and lacking in intelligence. Even worse is that those places may not enjoy any kind of political stability thus making it necessary to have a ruler. All these features attributed to the new residents of those leaving Omelas completely contrasts the lifestyle in this city of happiness. The people who left Omela would rather live unhappily without any kind of comfort as long as they remain with a clear conscience. In fact, they prefer living among people who are uneducated and uncultured yet humane. They are ready to live in a place that is not as utopia as the Omelas provided there is no interference with the freedom and rights of a child or any human being. They value morals more than happiness, joy, culture, intelligence, and even political stability.
Works Cited
Le, Guin U. K. The Unreal and the Real: Outer Space, Inner Lands. Northampton, MA: Small Beer Press, 2012. Internet resource.
