The Trolley Problem in The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas

Ursula K. Le Guin’s short story “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” explores a utopian society, where everyone is joyous and content with the life they are leading, through lengthy descriptions of Omelas and its citizens. At first glance, the story is nothing out of the ordinary but as the story progresses the reader is met with a truth that they sense is coming. Once the author introduces the world that they have created to the reader, the story then goes on to tell the cost of their happiness. A boy must suffer and in the end die for the town to thrive which pushes the reader to question their morals, and to evaluate what the right thing to do is in an event such as this. In the end, it is revealed that there are some cases where people indeed manage to escape this too-good-to-be-true reality and leave for a place that the reader is not yet familiar with. And those who did walk away from Omelas are perhaps the most intriguing part of the story for their path is unknown to all. What Le Guin aims to achieve with this ending can be interpreted as her way of showing the three stances the tenets of Omelas can take. 

To begin with the obvious, they could go on living their lives the same as before. It is possible to pick up on small details such as “They all know it is there, all people of Omelas.” that indicate that they are all aware of what needs to happen for everyone to remain as is. Some choose to overlook the torturous conditions that a child lives under. Malnourished, in pain, and afraid of what is to come. Although some question this unethical way of thinking when they find out about what is being done to that kid at first, almost all of them come to the same conclusion which is that the well-being of hundreds of people is more important than the freedom of a random child. With that Le Guin explains to the reader the first thing the people of Omelas can do about this dreadful happening. Utilitarianism is above being morally right.  

The second option that the story offers to the reader is through its ending. The conclusion provides some information to the reader that implies that not all could endure what was happening behind the curtains in Omelas. It is said that at one point all children who found out were disgusted and mad. 

“They feel anger, outrage, impotence, despite all the explanations.” 

One can assume those who have since decided to stay once were among those who were opposed to this monstrous tradition. While reading the text the target audience is left to wonder why no one would leave or help the poor soul but the ending clearly states that there were for sure people who dared to leave all of this behind and perhaps start over somewhere else. 

“They leave Omelas, they walk ahead into the darkness, and they do not come back.” 

This could very well be their way of taking a stand, possibly a passive one but regardless of that a stand against what is going on. 

Lastly, the one option that the text does not touch upon but the reader for sure is contemplating the consequences of is a rebellion. An act of pure rage. There is no room for argument when it comes to how cruel it is for a child to be treated in such a way. It is straight-up barbaric and no child regardless of their status deserves to be left to rot like an animal no matter what the benefits that may come from it are. It is only fair to riot and try to come up with a system that does not allow innocent people to suffer. Surely, walking away or turning your head the other way are options to be considered, but would it have been the same had the kid been narrating the story instead of having an omniscient point of view? The third option may look quite troubling to the citizens of Omelas for their happiness would be at stake but there is nothing other than pure speculation indicating that the release of the kid or the end of this order would bring chaos.  

Although not all options are presented in the story, the reader is left to ponder whether there indeed are more ways that one can contemplate in a situation such as this. But given these points, there seems to be no more than these takes so it is possible to argue that Ursula K. Le Guin’s short story “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” tries to showcase the three paths the tenants of Omelas could opt for under these circumstances.