Literary Devices
The narrator describes the joyful festival with detailed sensory descriptions of music, color, and movement.
Imagery
his suffering figure symbolizes the cost of the city's happiness.
The child
his suffering figure is kept locked away so the city can stay happy.
The Child
The city where the story takes place
Omelas
the contrast between the joyful city and the suffering child shows this literary device
Juxtaposition
This dark location symbolizes hidden suffering in society.
Basement
These people sometimes choose to leave Omelas after seeing the child.
The ones who walk away
Where is the child locked up?
In a basement under the city
The story hints that freeing the child would destroy the happiness of Omelas before explaining it fully.
Forshadowing
What is consumed to escape from reality and enhance pleasure for temporary happiness
The people who live happily in the city.
The citizens
This joyful festival begins the story with music and celebration.
The Festival of Summer
The child represents the suffering required to maintain the happiness of society.
Symbolism
This bright celebration represents the happiness of Omelas.
The Festival of Summer
This group is eventually told the truth about the child as they grow up.
The children in Omelas
The narrator describes Omelas as this type of perfect society.
A Utopia
The narrator repeatedly asks readers to imagine details about Omelas, using this device that involves repeating a structure or idea.
Repetition
who represents the innocence and humanity left in the citizens
The children
Who is the author?
Ursula K. Le Guin
his kind of place lies beyond the city where some citizens walk.
An Unknown Place