Compare And Contrast The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas
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Although science fiction can be considered similar to horror fiction, the two genres are not created equal. It is easy to lump these two genres together simply because there are many stories that could easily be considered both. However, looking at the other spectrum of the science fiction genre, there are stories that are extremely dissimilar to horror fiction. For this reason, I do not believe that the two genres should be lumped together. Similarly, science fiction and horror fiction are definitely not the same in terms of content. In several of the stories covered this semester, dystopia was a common reoccurrence. Considering the fact that the idea of a dystopian society is an imaginary form society where people suffer from misery and oppression, it could be mistaken for horror fiction. “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” is a prime…show more content… Ursula K LeGuin was able to create a story that is the epitome of a utopia, yet is simply horrifying to read. The people of Omelas are seemingly happy people until it is explained why they are able to live this way. Eventually, it is revealed that the city of Omelas holds an atrocious secret locked in its basement. The people of this city are able to come to terms with the fact that they have to sacrifice the well being of a young child in order to preserve their own happiness. Bearing this in mind, the story written by LeGuin could, without a doubt, be conveyed as a horror fiction. Secondly, “A Boy and His Dog” by Harlan Ellison is a frightful story that is seemingly equal parts horror and science fiction. The final sentences of the story are spine shivering to read. “It took a long time before I stopped hearing her calling in my head. Asking me, asking me: do you know what love is?” Although it is not said outright, it is quite clear that Vic killed Quilla in order