Le Guin’s “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas”

Both Le Guin’s “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas†and Marquez’s “A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings†explore the roles of faith, martyrdom, and tradition.

Le Guin’s “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” and Marquez’s “A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings” are compelling narratives that delve into complex themes of faith, martyrdom, and tradition, each offering unique perspectives rooted in their cultural and philosophical contexts. In “Omelas,” faith and tradition are intertwined with societal cohesion, where the prosperity of the city relies on the suffering of a single child. The citizens' collective faith in their social contract sustains their way of life, emphasizing a form of pragmatic or even utilitarian faith in the societal structure. Conversely, in Marquez’s story, faith is portrayed through the villagers’ literal and spiritual belief in the old man’s divine or angelic nature, regardless of skepticism or the ambiguity surrounding his existence. The old man's presence challenges the villagers’ traditional religious beliefs, blurred between reverence and suspicion, illustrating how faith can be both a source of community cohesion and individual doubt.

Regarding martyrdom, “Omelas” presents a metaphorical form of martyrdom embodied by the sacrificed child, whose suffering sustains the happiness of the many. The story explores the moral sacrifice within societal norms, where the child's suffering is accepted as necessary, highlighting a collective silent martyrdom that questions ethical boundaries. In Marquez’s tale, the old man himself can be seen as a figure of silent martyrdom; he endures neglect and exploitation yet remains inseparable from the villagers’ faith and routines. The villagers’ reactions—whether they dismiss, fear, or venerate the angel—reflect differing attitudes toward martyrdom, emphasizing that martyrdom often manifests as enduring pain or indifference for perceived divine reasons. Despite their different representations, both stories depict martyrdom as integral to maintaining or challenging societal values, whether through sacrifice or endurance.

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The thematic exploration of faith, martyrdom, and tradition in Le Guin’s “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” and Marquez’s “A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings” reveals contrasting yet intertwined perspectives on human morality and societal norms. In “Omelas,” the citizens’ faith in a societal contract underscores the collective reliance on tradition to sustain their happiness, even at a moral cost. The story critiques the utilitarian logic that permits suffering for the greater good, questioning whether tradition can justify immoral acts. The citizens’ acceptance of the child’s suffering exemplifies a societal form of martyrdom—sacrificing the innocent for societal harmony—highlighting that tradition can serve as both a stabilizing force and a source of moral compromise (Le Guin, 1973). The story challenges readers to reflect on their own complicity in societal norms and the moral boundaries of sacrifices made in the name of tradition.

Marquez’s “A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings” approaches faith and martyrdom through a more spiritual and mystical lens. The villagers’ belief in the old man as an angel embodies a fragile faith founded on wonder and superstition, which is simultaneously challenged and reinforced by his ambiguous nature. The old man’s endurance of neglect and exploitation signifies silent martyrdom—sacrifices made in the name of faith or tradition without explicit acknowledgment. The villagers’ mixed reactions—ranging from curiosity to indifference—illustrate how faith and martyrdom can often be passive, enduring in silence amid indifference or skepticism. This contrasts sharply with the moral dilemma of sacrifice in “Omelas,” as the angel’s suffering is more passive and enigmatic, embodying how faith can be rooted in mystery and ambiguity. In both stories, faith and martyrdom function as mechanisms that uphold or question societal values, though their expressions differ—one through societal sacrifice and the other through mystical endurance.

References

• Le Guin, U. K. (1973). The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas. The New Yorker.
• Marquez, G. (1968). A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings. The New Yorker.
• Beckford, W. (1970). Religious Experience and Religious Doubt. Secker & Warburg.
• Campbell, J. (2008). The Hero with a Thousand Faces. New World Library.
• Foucault, M. (1978). The History of Sexuality. Vintage Books.
• Hick, J. (2010). Moral Theology and Morality. Wiley-Blackwell.
• James, W. (1902). The Varieties of Religious Experience. Longmans, Green & Co.
• MacIntyre, A. (2007). After Virtue. University of Notre Dame Press.
• Nussbaum, M. C. (2001). Upheavals of Thought: The Intelligence of Emotions. Cambridge University Press.
• Taylor, C. (2007). A Secular Age. Harvard University Press.