ENGLISH WRITING(1) - Reading Task #3

Reading Task #3
For our third reading task for the semester, please read the short stories attached to this assignment: Kurt Vonnegut, "Harrison Bergeron" and Ursula Le Guin "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas." After you complete the readings, carry out the reading task for the assignment by answering the questions below:

Why do Vonnegut and Le Guin leave the evil in their created worlds unreformed? Why is the title of Le Guin's story focused on the ones who leave Omelas rather than the ones who stay? Why does such leaving not succeed in cleansing the souls of the departing individuals? What does Vonnegut's story suggest about the type of "equality" gained in the society described?

Minimum 300 words for the assignment. Be sure to count and write down the number of words written for the assignment. The assignment is due at the beginning of class on Friday, March 31. As with all reading tasks, late submissions are not accepted. The reading tasks serve as proof that the reading has been completed PRIOR to the start of the class in which the readings will be discussed.

 

 

English Writing (1) 3 rd Reading Assignment

 

Both stories dealt with social problems which are yet unsolved nowadays. Vonnegut’s story deals with social inequality and Le Guin’s story socially alienated people. And both stories distorted, dystopian setting, which ended up without solution and remained unchanged gives readers feelings that the problems still remain and exist in our society.

 

Vonnegut’s story is about social inequality and problem occurred when forcibly trying to diminish the gap. In the story, people who have better ability or any form of talent must equip themselves with special device which makes the wearers unable to exert their ability or talent. Instead of making low talented people to equip special device which gives them the ability they need to be talented enough, The most talente people have to wear the device which prevent them to exhibit their talent.

 

Most people would agree and it is quite true that we are living in a cruel, cruel world. The huge white elephant in the room which we should admit is that inequity is evitable. One example is that some are born rich and others poor. So politicians and sociologist devised and introduced many systems to help the alienated. But still it is impossible even two people to be equal mathamatically. Vonnegut’s story show us that what happens if we made the world extremely equal. I think the world like that would unable to develop and even it would be difficult to sustain the society like that.

 

Le Guin’s story mentions about alienated minors in society which is described as a little girl who is neglected, abused, uneducated and malnourished while they rest of the townees are living pleasant lifes. The story reminded me of people who lived during 60’s and 70’s who reconstructed the post-war South Korea to country nowaday. Lots of people were neglected and were forced to sacrifice for the purpose of rebuilding South Korea and so-called “ the miracle of Han River”. Such things often happen in which we live in. Some have political reasons, others involve in interests of majority so the minority’s are ignored. I think it is those talented’s duty to make the better world for the alienated like the girl in the story.

 

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