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After reading LeGuin's "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" and Jackson's "The Lottery," which both describe the ritual destruction of individuals to benefit the community, discuss the following: a) Both stories set up a contrast between the seemingly happy normal community and the shock of discovering the individual suffering on which it is based. Describe both communities and tell which story do you think makes this contrast most effectively? Explain why you feel this story is more effective. b) Considering the broader moral issues of the stories, do you feel that there are ever situations in which communities are entitled to require that innocent individuals suffer for the benefit of the community? If so, what are those situations? If not, how would you provide for situations that might seem to require it?

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Both Ursula K. LeGuin’s “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” and Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” explore unsettling themes of societal sacrifice, where individual suffering is embedded within seemingly normal communities. These stories challenge readers to confront the moral implications of collective well-being often achieved at the expense of a single individual's misery. They serve as stark allegories about the dark side of social cohesion and collective morality, raising questions about the legitimacy and ethics of sacrificing innocence for the greater good.

Description of the Communities

LeGuin’s Omelas presents a utopian city that boasts happiness, prosperity, and cultural richness. The city’s splendor, however, is built upon a grim secret: the entire community’s true happiness depends on the abject suffering of a single child, kept in squalor, neglected, and isolated. The citizens of Omelas accept this condition as necessary, rationalizing that their communal joy hinges on this sacrifice. The story emphasizes the contrast between the outwardly idyllic society and the hidden suffering at its core, prompting readers to contemplate the moral cost of such a trade-off.

In contrast, Jackson’s “The Lottery” depicts a small town that maintains a traditional, annual ritual of selecting one individual through a lottery and then stoning that person to death. The community’s customs seem benign and even festive, with townspeople participating without apparent moral conflict, so ingrained is the ritual in their culture. The victim’s suffering is more explicit and immediate, and the community's blind adherence to tradition exemplifies unquestioning obedience to harmful social practices.

Effectiveness of the Contrasts

Both stories starkly illuminate the contrast between societal normalcy and hidden or accepted suffering, but I believe Jackson’s “The Lottery” renders this contrast more effectively. The reason is that Jackson’s depiction of a seemingly ordinary town participating in a gruesome ritual makes the horror immediate and visceral. The townspeople’s casual acceptance of violence, paired with the festive atmosphere, underscores a profound moral blindness, making the reader question the nature of societal traditions. LeGuin’s Omelas, while powerful in its philosophical depth, relies on imagination and abstract moral reasoning, which might not evoke as visceral an emotional response as Jackson’s graphic and brutal imagery.

Broader Moral Considerations

Regarding the moral issues of these stories, the question of whether communities are ever justified in requiring innocent individuals to suffer is complex. In general, most contemporary ethical frameworks reject the idea that suffering can ever be justified as a means to societal ends. Sacrifice of innocents—a child in Omelas or a victim in a lottery—raises questions about justice, human rights, and moral integrity. Instead of accepting such sacrifices, societies should seek alternative solutions that do not infringe on individual rights or dignity.

However, certain moral philosophical positions, such as utilitarianism, might argue that in extraordinary circumstances—such as severe national crises, warfare, or collective emergencies—limited sacrifices might be justifiable if they lead to the greatest good for the greatest number. Even then, strict ethical criteria must govern such decisions to prevent abuses and protect fundamental human rights.

In practice, societies should prioritize transparency, accountability, and the pursuit of non-harmful alternatives. Ethical policymaking should aim to address collective needs without resorting to morally reprehensible sacrifices. For example, public health initiatives or social reforms should focus on inclusive solutions that protect individuals’ rights while promoting community welfare. When faced with moral dilemmas akin to those in the stories, communities must reflect critically on their values and the means they employ to achieve societal goals.

Conclusion

Both “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” and “The Lottery” reveal the darkness inherent in societies that accept or perpetuate suffering for perceived collective benefits. While the stories differ in their narrative approach and visceral impact, they collectively urge caution against blindly accepting societal norms that infringe upon individual dignity. Ethically, communities should strive towards inclusivity and justice, avoiding sacrifices that compromise fundamental human rights, and seek alternative paths to societal well-being that uphold moral integrity.

References

• LeGuin, U. K. (1973). The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas. Basic Books.
• Jackson, S. (1948). The Lottery. The New Yorker.
• Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. Parker, Son, and Bourn.
• Singer, P. (2011). Practical Ethics. Cambridge University Press.
• Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press.
• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.
• Hooker, R. (1975). Ethical theory: An introduction. Harper & Row.
• Nussbaum, M. (2006). Frontiers of Justice: Disability, Nationality, Species Membership. Harvard University Press.
• O’Neill, O. (2003). Bounds of Justice. Cambridge University Press.
• Shimomura, F. (2017). Social justice and moral philosophy. Ethics & Social Philosophy.