The New Atlantis

This short story by Ursula K. Le Guin portrays a totalitarian society that imposes the will of the strongest, as totalitarian societies tend to do. In this bleak world where humans are suffering the consequences of their total disregard for the environment people are not allowed to get married, start families. They live from coupons, no health care, no food, no energy. Belle lives in this world, a world deprived of humanity and finds solace and an escape route in music. Music is her sanctuary, the thing that allows her and others to feel, to get in touch with their humanity.