September 17, 2015 - 23:55
"Slippage", as described in "Slipping into Something More (Un)Comfortable" by Anne Dalke, is explained as an "involuntary access to a part of our unconscious". As society continues to shift its ideals and people become aware of cultural and political differences through the 'contact zone', the "slips" that Dalke details become evident. "These notions of ‘slip’ posit a new state emerging from the act of slipping, a temporary loss of control that yields both a personal, subjective truth and a changed state that has moved away from ‘a standard’ and into new thought and order" (Dalke). With regard to this notion of "slippage", the meaning of the article "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas", by Ursula LeGuin, is accentuated as an urgency for change in society.
The essay by LeGuin outlines a city, Omelas, in which life is unsettlingly nice. The utopian society prides itself in its independence from violence, hatred and useless gadgets. However, ultimately, the article focuses in on a minute detail of the city; the joy and carefree livelihood of all the citizens rests solely on the neglect of one small child. LeGuin tells of a reaction where citizens are traumatized by these horrific circumstances, yet they are not moved to dramatically change their lifestyle. Alternatively, a few citizens are so impacted by this child, that they feel compelled to leave Omelas. The reaction of these few agrees with Dalke's premise.
In both essays, Dalke and LeGuin highlight the impact "slips" have on society while reiterating the need to learn from these exposures. Dalke describes many encounters she witnesses by which young adults argue for a change after a "slip". ""I’m learning how an unintentional “slip” might function... to remind us that “there is something down there that needs to be cleaned up.” Of course this making of messes, and then cleaning them up, never ends, but... this process can... precipitate action, and change" (Dalke). LeGuin also briefly articulates the affect Omelas has on a few people, and the rarity it is to leave the city. "At times one of the adolescent girls or boys who go to see the child does not go home to weep or rage, does not, in fact, go home at all... They go on. They leave Omelas, they walk ahead into the darkness, and they do not come back" (LeGuin).
The tone LeGuin employs, suggests the extremity of leaving Omelas. There is a significance about leaving the society because it is rare. It is even more significant to leave because whomever chooses to go is unsure of their destination. However, this desertion is necessary in order to learn from the "slip" in Omelas.
Furthermore, "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas", is a beg for change. Le Guin, a science-fiction novelist is known for her "innovative new avenues" that "plumb deeper human conflicts" (Clark). The idea of one child suffering for the good of a society is a "slip" in LeGuin's eyes. This also may resemble realistic situations throughout society to which LeGuin hopes for a solution. Dalke writes "that one student’s pain outweighs the slight loss of pleasure experienced by the others" (Dalke), and LeGuin desires Omelas to abide by this moral. Thus, with the notion of "slippage" in mind, LeGuin explains that the ones who leave Omelas are confronting the problem; these few are learning from a "slip". Ultimately, LeGuin hopes to inspire a change in society.
Upon first impression, the underlying message of LeGuin's essay could be interpreted in various ways. However, with analysis, one realizes that LeGuin's essay includes an aspiration she has for society. "And now I wonder: in communities formed less intentionally... what other opportunities for renewal might exist, what slips between intent and action, between action and reaction" (Dalke).