The short story ” The Ones Who Walk Away from the Omelas ” , is written by the American  Le Guin,  and takes place in the city of the Omelas “.  It begins with a description of the activity on the street and actions of city dwellers during the “Festival of the Summer”.  At first glance, the view of the city provides a picture of a perfect place. The place described by the narrator is very joyful and happy, with descriptions such as ” the music  beats faster”, and “people went dancing” .
The author utilizes comparison and repetition techniques in his writing which enables him to emphasize the story  and create an appealing world for the reader. An excellent example if the techniques is the constant garage of Words “happy” and “joy”. Further, the author uses Another interesting technique using the narrator to ask questions of the reader. It engages the reader directly and encourages the reader to think and be involved in the development of the story. “Do you believe? Do you accept the festival, the city, the joy?”(page4).  The narrator tests the reader. She wants to knows how they will react in this situation.
However, In the middle of the story we realize, that not everyone seems to be happy in this seemingly idyllic place. A child  “… was born defective, or perhaps it has become imbecile throughout fear, malnutrition, and neglect”(page4). She describes how it was locked in a dark room. The narrator creates conflict for the reader. The reader is drawn to the seemingly perfect nature if events and then that realization is brought to an abrupt halt. Now the reader has realized that the city of the Omelas  is not as happy and perfect city as it appears in the beginning. The reader sees the dark side of this place hidden and locked in a tiny room. The narrator does not clarify if the victim is a boy or a girl, with In each society it is different.
We are led to believe the People of the Omelas are living in a happy world. No one wants to accept that their happiness ” depends wholly on this child’s abominable misery”. In the end of the story, people who can not  accept the truth of this reality and be happy knowing that one child is suffering, make a choice  to leave the city. “The place they go toward is a place even less imaginable to most of us thanks the city of happiness…But they seem to know where they are going,the one who walk away from Omelas”(page7).  These people can not live peacefully.  They are free to choose for themselves. This short story is a question to society… It is a question to ourselves. Can we live with our happiness at the expense if the suffering of others? It is a question about happiness and freedom.