In Omelas, they sacrifice the happiness of one child to suffering so that the rest of the city can obtain happiness. The child in the basement is this person. Even though it is a utopian society there will always be one person who is not as happy as everyone else there. The point of a utopia is that everyone that lives in it has a perfect life and is capable to fulfill it. The people that live in Omelas felt that it was good to be happy in a city where anything is possible. O miracle! but I wish I could describe it better” (209). They were mature, intelligent, passionate adults whose lives were not wretched. The people of Omelas have these qualities: “How can I tell you about the people of Omelas? They were not naive and happy children- though their children were happy. The city itself represents how people in modern society want to live in this utopia where everyone is happy, joyous, and carefree. The city of Omelas is the setting of the story, and has great significance to the people and ideas around it. By depicting a seemingly utopian society, LeGuin is commenting on the fact that no society is perfect, and in fact, someone always must suffer for the happiness of others. Le Guin, creates some complex symbols in the city of Omelas itself, the ones who walk away, the child in the basement, the child who never stops playing the flute, and the ones who stay in Omelas. Lighthiser English- E 29 April 2013 Why the Child? In “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”, symbolism is used throughout the entire story.