The Ones Who Walk Away From

Omelas by Ursula LeGuin

Day 1
Copy Into Your Notebook
Aim: How does Ursula Le Guin use literary
techniques to create a utopia in the short
story, The Ones Who Walk Away From
Omelas?
DN: Literary Term Match Worksheet

Review of Literary Elements
DN: Complete the Literary Element Matching Column
A. Setting b. Mood c. Characterization d. Conflict
e. Foreshadowing f. Symbolism G. Paradox
A hint /clue of what will occur later on in the story _________
A struggle between two opposing forces or oneself. ________
The feeling/atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader ________
A literary device that uses a word or object to signify concepts, ideas,
beliefs, or qualities that are different from their literal meaning of the
object
The time and place of a story. __________________
A statement that seems self-contradictory or absurd, but in reality
expresses a possible truth ________
The way the author describes or presents a character
__________________

What is Utopia?
An imaginary place in which everything is
perfect including the government, laws, and
social conditions
An ideal society/community

What is a Dystopia?
Dystopia is the opposite of Utopia which
means a perfect society.
Where have we seen an Utopian society
before?
A dystopia would be an imperfect society.

Story Background
The story was published 1973

Text to World Connection:
Think about what you have learned in your
history classes. Discuss what was happening
during this time?


1973
The year 1973 was a year of turbulence.
Vietnam War
Political, social, and cultural turmoil
Economy
US currency is devalued by 10%
1973 Oil Crisis

These are just some of the major events of the
year. Start thinking about how these events
might have influenced the creation of this text
Inspiration-> William James

one could not accept a happiness shared
with millions if the condition of that happiness
were the suffering of one lonely soul.
-William James American
philosopher, psychologist, and
physician

While You Read Keep In Mind
What criticism is being made about Moral
Life?
What is the price for they are paying for a
Utopian Society?
What constitutes their Utopian Society?



What Am I Looking For?- Literary Devices

Setting
Mood
Characterization
Conflict
Foreshadowing
Paradox
Symbolism
Audio
http://jlschwennen.files.wordpress.com/2011
/08/ones-who-walk-away.mp3

Visit the site above for audio

Stop at Then Let Me Describe One More
Thing
Group Work
Work in your collaborative groups to complete
the first boxes on your graphic organizer


Group Work
Literacy Device Textual Evidence Day 1
















Day 2
The Ones Who Walk
Away From Omelas by
Ursula LeGuin
Aim: How does LeGuin use literary techniques to demonstrate a
flaw in the utopian society of Omelas?
DN: Answer one of the following
Do you believe a society like Omelas can exist?
Why or why not? Be sure to support your
response using textual details.
What is your favorite part of Omelas. Use
textual evidence to support your response.
What Am I Looking For?- Literary Devices

Setting
Mood
Characterization
Conflict
Foreshadowing
Paradox
Symbolism
While You Read Keep In Mind
What criticism is being made about Moral
Life?
What is the price they are paying for a
Utopian Society? Do you think it is a fair one?
How has the literary device change over the
two readings?





Group Work

Work in your collaborative groups
to complete the second boxes on
your graphic organizer

G.W
Literacy Device Textual Evidence Day 2
















Aim: How does does authors use of literary elements propel the
action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision?

DN: Discuss the symbol of the child. What does
he/she represent. Use textual evidence to support
your response.
OR
According to the narrator what is the most
incredible part of Omelas? Would you stay or
leave. Provide textual evidence to support yout
response.
HW: In a two to three paragraph response discuss
how we can compare the paradox (contradiction)
in Omelas to American Society?

How does does authors use of
literary elements propel the
action, reveal aspects of a
character, or provoke a
decision?

HW:
In a two to three paragraph response discuss
how can we can compare the paradox
(contradiction) in Omelas to American
Society?