Ignorance and Oedipus

Child labor in China is a persistent issue in our world.  However, many people are aware of the problem, yet they remain apathetic about the issue and continue to buy the cheap products that were made by these children.  By doing this, the people are being ignorant of their role in assisting child slavery, because “Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored" (Huxley).  When they do nothing about it, it is the same as assisting the child laborers and letting these children work under dangerous conditions.  Oedipus tries to remain ignorant about his problems too, even though he is slowly realizing the horrible nature of the truth.  However, ignorance is not bliss.  Leaving these children and allowing them to work in these harsh conditions with little or no payment helps nobody.  Ignorance was not bliss to Oedipus, either.  Even though in the beginning of the play, he was ignorant to his problems and happy, he was still married to his mother and guilty of murder.  His soul was “cured” once he took responsibility for his actions.

And once more people take responsibility for child labor and help these children out, will create a better and more equal world.  Even though learning the truth had terrible consequences for him, Oedipus emerged from his knowledge and helped his family and the people of Thebes, when he took responsibility and helped lift the curse off his people.  Learning about this issue will be hard to bear, but people can emerge from this knowledge and assist the world in creating a better life for these children.

"Quotation Details." The Quotations Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2013.    <http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/24955.html>.

Sophocles. Oedipus Rex. Microsoft Word file