Unit Six The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas

1. Unit Six The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas Ursula Le Guin

2. Summery of the Text The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas is Ursula K. Le Guin's allegorical tale about a Utopian society in which Omelas' happiness is made possible by the sacrifice of one child for the sake of the group. In the story, Omelas is a city of happiness and delight, whose inhabitants are smart and cultured. Everything about Omelas is pleasing, except for the city's one atrocity: the good fortune of Omelas requires that a single unfortunate child be kept in perpetual filth, darkness and misery, and that all her citizens should be told of this upon coming of age. After being exposed to the truth, most of the people of Omelas are initially shocked and disgusted, but are ultimately able to come to terms with the fact and resolve to live their lives in such a manner as to make the suffering of the unfortunate child worth it. However, a few of the citizens, young and old, silently walk away from the city, and no one knows where they go.

3. Allegory Allegory: in literature, a symbolic story that serves as a disguised representation for meanings other than those indicated on the surface. The characters in an allegory often have no individual personality, but are embodiments of moral qualities and other abstractions.

4. Ursula Le Guin Ursula Le Guin ( born October 21, 1929) is an American author. She has written novels, poetry, children's books, essays, and short stories, notably in fantasy and science fiction. First published in the 1960s, her works explore Taoist, anarchist, ethnographic, feminist, queer theory,psychological and sociological themes. Much of Le Guin's science fiction places a strong emphasis on the social sciences, including sociology and anthropology, A distinguishing characteristic of Le Guin's work is her deliberate treatment of race. The majority of Le Guin's main characters are people of color, a choice made to reflect the non-white majority of humans, Her writing often makes use of alien cultures to convey a message about human culture in general. Her works are often concerned with ecological issues. In her writing, Le Guin makes use of the ordinary actions and transactions of everyday life. While she has often used otherworldly perspectives to explore political and cultural themes, she has also written fiction set much closer to home; many of her short stories are set in our world in the present or near future.

5. Structure

6. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 clamor: a very loud noise made by a lot of people or things We suddenly heard a terrible clamor in the next room. clamor of: I couldn't hear anything above the clamor of the crowd. swallow: A swallow is a kind of small bird with pointed wings and a forked tail. How do you understand "bright-towered by the sea"? Paraphrase: With a clamor...by the sea

7. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 bright-towered by the sea: Omelas is a port city by the sea. It had white towers that shone bright in the sun Paraphrase: The loud ringing of the bells, which sent the frightened swallows flying high, marks the beginning of the Festival of Summer in Omelas.

8. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 rigging: On a ship, the rigging is the ropes which support the ship's masts and sails. sparkle: ~ (with sth) shine brightly with flashes of light Her diamonds sparkled in the candle-light. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. The sky sparkled with brilliant stars. Paraphrase: The rigging...with flags.

9. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 Paraphrase: The lines and chains on the ships were decorated with flags which were shining in the sun.

10. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 moss-grown:adj covered with moss Avenue:wide road or path, often lined with trees, esp one that leads to a large house procession :n [C] number of people, vehicles, etc moving along in an orderly way, esp as part of a ceremony or demonstration a funeral procession The procession made its way down the hill. Groups of unemployed people marched in procession to the capital. Paraphrase: in the streets...public buildings

11. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 Paraphrase: The streets were lined with houses with red roofs and painted walls. between the houses there were old moss- grown gardens. There were also avenues lined with shady trees. The city had many big parks and public buildings. this sentence is a good example of a long periodic sentence, preceeded by a string of modifiers.

12. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 decorous: adj dignified and socially acceptable Decorous behaviour is very respectable, calm, and polite. = seemly, proper a decorous kiss stiff: not easily bent, folded, moved, changed in shape, etc a stiff drawer a stiff pair of shoes a stiff neck, ie painful and difficult to move robe: long loose outer garment Many Arabs wear long flowing robes. mauve:[COLOUR]Something that is mauve is of a pale purple color Master workman: a workman in charge merry: happy and cheerful; full of joy and gaiety a merry laugh, party, group How do you understand"Some were decorous"?

13. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 Some are decorous: some of the processions are marked by propriety and good taste.

14. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 shimmer: v [I] shine with a soft light that seems to waver The surface of the road shimmered in the heat of the sun. The sea was shimmering in the sunlight. The surface of the road shimmered in the midday heat. gong : n metal disc that gives a resonant note when struck with a stick, used esp as a musical instrument or as a signal for meals (in a hotel, etc) beat/sound a gong tambourine:n.a shallow one-headed drum with loose metallic disks at the sides playedespecially by shaking or striking with the hand. Paraphrase:In other ...a dance.

15. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 Paraphrase: In other streets the processions were different. The music was much faster and one could see the glimmering light reflected from gongs and tambourines. The young people danced to the music as they moved forward. The whole procession was a dance.

16. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 dodge : to move quickly and suddenly to one side in order to avoid sb/sth He ran across the road, dodging the traffic. The girl dodged behind a tree to hide from the other children. Dodge in and out: run from one side to the other, in and out of people. flight: n. a group of things flying through the air together. a flight of birds a flight of arrows Paraphrase:children...singing.

17. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 Paraphrase: The children ran about playfully, the shouting of the children could be heard clearly above the music and singing like the calls of the swallows flying by overhead.

18. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 wind: (cause sth to) follow a curving, twisting or spiral course The river winds down to the sea. The staircase winds upwards round a central pillar. water meadow: usu pl Water meadowsare wet fields of grass near a river, which are often flooded. lithe:A lithe person is able to move and bend their body easily and gracefully. a lithe young gymnast. His walk was lithe and graceful. restive: 1: restless or uneasy Another hour passed and the crowd grew/became restive. 2: (esp of horses) resisting control, esp by refusing to move forwards or by moving sideways or backwards. Paraphrase: All the processions...before the race.

19. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 Paraphrase: All the processions were making their way toward the north side of the city. There was a big water- meadow called the Green Fields, where naked boys and girls put their dogged houses into an exercise before the race begin. These young people's feet and ankles were stained with mud and they had long slender arms. And the horses were eager to race and reluctant to exercises.

20. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 Gear: the harness for a horse Halter: device made of rope or leather straps that fits around the head or neck of an animal and is used to lead or secure the animal. Bit: the metal mouthpiece of a bridle, serving to control, curb, and direct an animal. mane:noun the long hair on the neck of a horse or a lion braid: If you braid hair or a group of threads, you twist three or more lengths of the hair or threads over and under each other to make one thick length. She had almost finished braiding Louisa's hair. streamer:noun a long narrow piece of coloured paper, used to decorate a place for a party or other celebration. The room was decorated with balloons and streamers.

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22. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 flare: if a person or animal flares their NOSTRILS (= the openings at the end of the nose), or if their nostrils flare, they become wider, especially as a sign of anger The horse backed away, its nostrils flaring with fear. prance:v [I] (of a horse) move jerkily by raising the forelegs and springing forward from the hind legs. boast: =brag, crow, swagger Adopt: take over and have or use (sth) as one's own adopt a name, a custom, an idea, a style of dress adopt a hard line towards terrorists Paraphrase: The flared...as his own.

23. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 Paraphrase: The horses dilated their nostrils, pranced about and seemed to be boasting to one another. All this shows the horses excitement before the race.The horse was the only animal that considered the ceremonies of human beings as also their ceremonies. Figure of speech: personification

24. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 encircle:v [Tn esp passive ] form a circle round;surround a lake encircled by trees enemy troops encircling the town crown sth (with sth): (rhet ) form or cover the top of sth The hill is crowned with a wood. Beautiful fair hair crowns her head. His head was crowned with a mop of brown curls. sunlit:[ADJ] n.Sunlit places are brightly lit by the sun. Her house has two big sunlit rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows. Paraphrase: The snow...the sky.

25. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 Paraphrase:The white snow peaks glowing with golden sunlight seemed to be on fire. The dark blue of the sky makes the golden peaks stand out more clearly. Figure of speech: metaphor

26. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 banner: a long strip of cloth with something written on it. Banners are usually attached to two poles and carried during a protest or rally snap: open or close (sth) with a sudden sharp noise; (cause sth to) make a sudden sharp noise The box snapped open. The circus manager snapped his whip. She snapped her bag shut. flutter: move about in a quick irregular way a flag fluttering from the mast-head curtains fluttering in the breeze Her skirt was fluttering in the night breeze. a butterfly fluttering its wings. now and then== at times, from time to time, now and again, occasionally on occasion, once in a while

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28. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 clang:v When a large metal object clangs, it makes a loud noise. The door clanged shut behind them. The prison gates clanged shut. Paraphrase: In the silence...the bells.

29. Detailed Study Paragraph 1 Paraphrase: When there was silence on the broad green meadows, people could hear the music moving through the city streets in a roundabout way, coming sometimes farther, sometimes nearer to people. A happy unclear sweetness in the air trembled from time to time. It collected together and broke out into the great pleasant ringing of the bells.

30. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 archaic: 1:old and no longer used: 'Thou art' is an archaic form of 'you are'. 2:very old-fashioned The system is archaic and unfair and needs changing. mounted:adj. riding a horse mounted policemen Jean was mounted on a grey mare. stallion: fully grown male horse thathas not been castrated, esp one used for breeding Litter: (formerly) couch carried on men's shoulders or by animals as a means of transport Bear: (dated or fml ) carry (sb/sth), esp while moving bear a heavy load three kings bearing gifts They bore his body to the tomb. Paraphrase: All smile...great-muscled slaves.

31. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 Paraphrase: smiling to show one's happiness is old fashioned for their is no ned of it now. After reading the above description the reader is likely to assume certain things. they may assume that Omelas is a feudal kingdom where one can see the king riding a beautiful horse surrounded by noble knights or followed by a golden litter carried by strong well-built slaves.

32. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 barbarian: n, adj (person who is) primitive, coarse or cruel barbarian tribes football supporters acting like barbarians singularly:adverb to an unusual degree: exceptionally singularly beautiful a singularly unattractive individual Paraphrase: I do not know...singularly few.

33. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 Paraphrase: I do not know what the rules and laws of their society are but I guess they were exceptionally few.

34. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 monarchy:noun(plural monarchies) a system of government by a king or a queen plans to abolish the monarchy Is monarchy relevant in the modern world or should it be abolished? get on:perform in a particular situation; make progress : Our youngest son is getting on well at school.

35. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 dulcet:adj sounding sweet; pleasing to the ear I thought I recognized your dulcet tones, ie the sound of your voice. bland: adj (-er, -est)gentle or casual in manner; showing no strong emotions; suave utopian:A person inclined to be imaginative or idealistic but impractical =dreamer, idealist, visionary. Paraphrase: They were not...utopians

36. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 Paraphrase: The citizens of Omelas were not simple people, not kind and gentle shepherds, not savages of high birth, nor mild idealists dreaming of a perfect society.

37. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 pedant: n (derog )1: person who attaches too much importance to detail or to rules, esp when learning or teaching 2: person who values academic knowledge and likes to display his learning sophisticate:A sophisticate is someone who knows about culture, fashion, and other matters that are considered socially important. intellectual: well educated and interested in art, science, literature, etc. at an advanced level Though not intellectual, my mother was a highly intelligent woman. treason: n [U] treachery to one's country (eg by helping its enemies in wartime) or its ruler (eg by plotting to kill him) banality: noun(plural banalities) [U, C] (disapproving)ordinary and not interesting, because of a lack of new or different ideas the banality of modern city life They exchanged banalities for a couple of minutes. Paraphrase: The trouble...boredom of pain

38. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 Paraphrase: Ordinary people have got into the bad habit of considering happiness to be something stupid. This view was encouraged by people who consider themselves learned and worldly-wise. These people declare that only pain stimulates the intellect and only evil arouses the interests of people. The artist betrays his true feelings denying that evil was nothing fresh and pain is just dull.

39. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 Lick: defeat (sb) embrace: 1:v [I, Tn] take (a person, etc) into one's arms as a sign of affection They embraced (each other) warmly. She embraced her son before leaving. 2:[Tn] accept or take (an idea, etc) willingly embrace Christianity embrace an offer, opportunity Paraphrase: If you....everything else.

40. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 Paraphrase: If you can not beat evil then become evil yourself, if sth hurts then repeat it and you will not feel the pain as strongly as you did at first. if you praise despair then you lose your delight and if you adopt violence then you, in reality, will lose everything else.

41. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 wretched:adj very unhappy; miserable or pitiable the wretched survivors of the earthquake fancy: n [U] power of the mind to imagine (esp unreal things) the novelist's fancy Bid: (arch or fml )order (sb); tell Do as you are bidden. She bade me (to) come in. rise to the occasion: If you say that someone rose to the occasion, you mean that they did what was necessary to successfully overcome a difficult situation. Paraphrase: Perhaps it ...you all.

42. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 Paraphrase: Perhaps it would be best if the reader pictures Omelas to himself as his imagination tells him, assuming his imagination will be equal to the task. For certainly I cannot describe Omelas in such a way as to satisfy all of you.

43. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 discrimination: n 1: [U]good judgement and perception, knowing what is good or of high quality. They cooked without skill and ate without discrimination. show discrimination in one's choice of friends, clothes, 2:discrimination against/in favour of sb: treating a person or group differently (usu worse) than others racial, sexual, religious, political, etc discrimination Exuberance is behaviour which is energetic, excited, and cheerful. Her burst of exuberance and her brightness overwhelmed me. floating :adjective not fixed permanently in one particular position or place: floating exchange rates Paraphrase: all kinds ...matter.

44. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 Paraphrase: All kinds of marvelous things not yet invented here, such as, light that is provided by a device that is not fixed in one place, power that does not require the use of any fuel and a cure for the common cold. It doesn't matter whether they have these things or not. They can be just as happy without them.

45. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 puritanical：having very strict moral attitudes Their parents had a puritanical streak and didn't approve of dancing. faint:that cannot be clearly seen, heard or smelt: a faint glow / glimmer / light a faint smell of perfume insistence: An insistent noise or rhythm keeps going on for a long time and holds your attention .the insistent rhythms of the Caribbean and Latin America. = unrelenting perfume:v [Tn]1(of flowers, etc) give a fragrant smell to (sth) The roses perfumed the room.

46. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 dreamy :adj (-ier, -iest) vague or unclear a dreamy recollection of what happened languor: n [U] tiredness or laziness of mind and body; listlessness arcanum:n.pl.arcana A deep secret; a mystery. inmost: adj [attrib ]1:most inward; furthest from the surface the inmost recesses of the cave 2: most private or secret my inmost thoughts, feelings, etc habit-forming:a habit-forming drug is one that makes you need to use it all the time, even though it is bad for you Paraphrase: I thought...belief.

47. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 Paraphrase: At first I thought there would be no drugs but that is being too severe and rigid. The faint but compelling sweet scent of the drug drooz may fill the streets of the city. The drug first makes your hands and feet seem light and your mind more keen and alert. After some hours you fall into a lazy dream and have wonderful visions revealing the most mysterious and deepest secrets of the universe. It also increases the pleasure of sex enormously.

48. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 modest:adj (a) not large in amount, size, etc; moderate live on a modest income make very modest demands The clergy are the official leaders of the religious activities of a particular group of believers. build sth on sth:base sth on sth build one's hopes on the economic strength of the country an argument built on sound logic. slaughter: the killing of many people at once; massacre the slaughter of innocent civilians the slaughter on the roads, ie the killing of people in road accidents fearful: rightened:Fearful parents kept their children indoors. trivial : adjective not important or serious; not worth considering a trivial detail / matter / problem

49. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 boundless:adj without limits boundless generosity, enthusiasm Contentment is a feeling of quiet happiness and satisfaction. magnanimous: adj having or showing great generosity (esp towards a rival, an enemy, etc) a magnanimous person, gesture, gift a leader who was magnanimous in victory, ie when he won communion: (with sb/sth)(fml) state of sharing or exchanging the same thoughts or feelings poets who are in communion with nature splendor: [uncount] the impressive beauty of something, often something that looks very expensive Paraphrase: The joy built...that of life.

50. Detailed Study Paragraph 3 Paraphrase: The joy that is based on successfully killing a lot of people is not the right kind of joy. What fills the hearts of the people of Omelas with joy and pride is a feeling of great and unlimited contentment. They also feel a courageous triumph not over some outer enemy but in sharing with all that is fine and fair in the souls of all men and in the grandeur of the world's summer. the triumph they celebrate is the victory of life.