Based on your reading of Le Guin's short story, briefly develop two contrasting theories of social justice. With references to the story, what aspects of your theories are explicitly addressed by Le Guin? What aspects are implied? (Not to exceed 500 words).
The short story "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" can be interpreted in few different ways. Social justice is being somewhat challenged in this story; on one hand all people are happy and are all living a good life but on the other hand there is that one sacrificed child, that one child who is not living a happy free life but he must in order for the others to.
Omelas, is an utopian city in this tale. Everyone that lives there leads a safe, good, well balanced life. Everyone is able to live this good life because there is one child locked up in a room in a basement in one of the public buildings. This child is most likely neglected or born defective. In that room that one sacrificed child holds all of the sadness, fear and negative influences from all of the happy living Omelas citizens. Everyone around their teen years is told about this sad and dark room down in the basement. Some choose to go visit and others do not. Some understand why it is that way and go back to their daily life while others are totally shocked and walk away from the city to be never heard again.
You can say that the society in that city has social justice. It has social justice because "everyone" is living good, happy, respectful life. People are only told about the sacrificed child once, and because of that they do not think about him for ninety nine percent of their life. To them it's a normal day to day life filled with their activities. The aspects of this theory are clearly addressed in the story, all adolescence are told about the child and why he is important. Most just try to understand and even if they don't they just go on with their life knowing that they can't really change anything or find a better, happier city to live in.
The contrasting theory is that the society has no social justice at all. While it may appear that everyone is living a good life there are deeper problems lying down under. How can society function knowing there is a lonely, cold child that needs help living in a basement in a dark room? That is unethical! That's why some of the people that come to see the child and can't stand it walk out and away from the city hoping to find a not corrupt place to call home, but we never know if they do, more likely than not they will live a darker place with even less happiness. This theory is not addressed but it is implied. It is implied that the residents can live a free life and walk away from the city as they wish, but many do not. This is because if they do they don't know if they will find a city that is as happy or well structured as Omelas, the city of utopia. They most likely will not.
Monday, August 29, 2011
WebLog 1
1.Name: Mariusz (Mario) Jastrzebski Hometown: Highland Heights email: mjastrzebski15@jcu.edu
2. Mario
3.
4. I consider myself as a slight technology geek, however I'm still fairly social and outgoing. Fun fact about myself is that I'm from Poland and my family moved here to the states 8 years ago.
5. In order for me to to feel comfortable taking intellectual and creative risks in a classroom I need to somewhat know my colleagues and be able to talk to them freely.
6. Internet was the most technological advancement in the history. This is because even if we have computers, the internet is what is keeping us connected. Without internet the computers would be sole processing power and not the machine that we call a computer now a days.
7. In the 21st century, a computer and a cellphone is essential to my life as it probably is to others too.
8. I am fairly proficient with computers. I am knowledgeable about the hardware but not so much the software. Both digital and social media are a "requirement" in today's life so I would say that I'm fairly proficient and comfortable in using those as well. I would rate my proficiency a 7/10.
9. Which class do you enjoy teaching the most?
What do you like about JCU the most?
2. Mario
4. I consider myself as a slight technology geek, however I'm still fairly social and outgoing. Fun fact about myself is that I'm from Poland and my family moved here to the states 8 years ago.
5. In order for me to to feel comfortable taking intellectual and creative risks in a classroom I need to somewhat know my colleagues and be able to talk to them freely.
6. Internet was the most technological advancement in the history. This is because even if we have computers, the internet is what is keeping us connected. Without internet the computers would be sole processing power and not the machine that we call a computer now a days.
7. In the 21st century, a computer and a cellphone is essential to my life as it probably is to others too.
8. I am fairly proficient with computers. I am knowledgeable about the hardware but not so much the software. Both digital and social media are a "requirement" in today's life so I would say that I'm fairly proficient and comfortable in using those as well. I would rate my proficiency a 7/10.
9. Which class do you enjoy teaching the most?
What do you like about JCU the most?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)