"It is the existence of the child, and their knowledge of its existence, that makes possible the nobility of their architecture, the poignancy of their music, the profundity of their science. It is because of the child that they are so gentle with children. They know that if the wretched one were not there sniveling in the dark, the other one, the flute-player, could make no joyful music as the young riders line up in their beauty for the race in the sunlight of the first morning of summer." (LeGuin 4)
Omelas is a near-utopia world where everything functions ideally other than a suffering Child being locked in a basement for the duration of their lives. After seeing the child in the basement, most people still stay in Omelas, although they know the child is suffering. Some people walk away from Omelas to avoid the mental burden of knowing that a child is suffering for their happiness.
The child symbolizes those who suffer and work in difficult jobs with low income in our society. Those who stay in Omelas symbolize most people in society who know that others are suffering but ignore it and move on. This is a part of human nature since they crave a high living quality despite it being based on many people's sufferings. The residents of Omelas accept the child's misery as a necessary evil for their happiness, embodying a stereotype of utilitarianism where the few suffer for the many's benefit. This stereotype alienates relationships of people between social classes because people enjoying privelege tend to ignore or exonerate themselves from moral burden. They are inclined to be complacent in the status quo, and human relationships across society will only worsen because polarization increases.