Blindness is a novel by Portuguese author José Saramago, published in 1995. The book tells the story of an epidemic of blindness that sweeps through an unnamed city, leaving its victims in a state of complete darkness. The novel is an allegory for the human condition, exploring themes of power, corruption, and the struggle for survival in the face of adversity.
Saramago’s use of blindness as an allegory is multi-layered. On one level, the epidemic of blindness can be seen as a metaphor for the moral blindness that afflicts society, the willful ignorance, indifference, and lack of empathy that can prevail, especially in times of crisis. On another level, the novel can be read as a commentary on the dangers of authoritarianism and the abuse of power, as the government responds to the epidemic by quarantining the blind in an abandoned mental hospital, where they are subjected to terrible conditions and brutal treatment. Ultimately, Blindness is a powerful work of literature that forces readers to confront some of the darkest aspects of the human experience.
Historical Context of Blindness as Allegory
Blindness, a novel by José Saramago, is an allegory that explores the human condition. The novel was published in 1995, and it is set in an unnamed city where a mysterious epidemic causes people to lose their sight. The novel’s historical context is rooted in the 20th-century fascism and authoritarianism, particularly in Portugal, where Saramago was born.
Saramago’s affiliation with Portugal’s Community Party is evident in the novel, as he criticizes the government’s lack of empathy and indifference towards the marginalized. The novel’s allegory extends beyond the literal blindness to the metaphorical blindness that plagues society, which is willful ignorance, indifference, and lack of empathy that can prevail, especially in times of crisis.
Blindness is a speculative parable that examines the reasons for a mysterious social and moral breakdown in a society that has lost its moral compass. The novel’s allegory is a warning about the dangers of totalitarianism and the importance of empathy, compassion, and solidarity in times of crisis. Saramago’s novel is an exploration of the human condition, and it challenges readers to reflect on their own values and beliefs in the face of adversity.
Defining Allegory
Allegory is a literary device that uses symbols and characters to represent abstract ideas. It is a powerful tool for writers and artists to communicate their message to the audience. The use of allegory is not limited to literature, but it can also be found in other forms of art, such as painting, sculpture, and music.
Characteristics of Allegory
Allegory is characterized by the use of symbols and characters that represent abstract ideas. The symbols used in allegory can be objects, animals, or people. The characters can be human or non-human, and they can be fictional or real. Allegory often has a moral or political message, and it can be used to criticize or satirize society.
Types of Allegory
There are different types of allegory, including fables, parables, and stories. Fables are short stories that often feature animals as characters and have a moral lesson. Parables are stories that use everyday situations to teach a moral lesson. Stories, on the other hand, can be longer and more complex, and they can use multiple symbols and characters to convey a message.
Blindness in Literature
Blindness is a recurring theme in literature that has been used as a metaphor to explore the complexities of human existence, knowledge, and perception. In many literary classics, blindness is not just a physical condition but a symbol for various concepts such as ignorance, lack of awareness, and refusal to see reality.
Symbolic Blindness
Symbolic blindness is a literary device that authors use to convey deeper meanings and ideas to the reader. It is the use of blindness as a metaphor or symbol to represent various concepts. For instance, in William Shakespeare’s play King Lear, blindness is a symbol of Lear’s lack of insight and understanding. Similarly, in Joseph Conrad’s novel Heart of Darkness, blindness represents the moral and ethical darkness that can exist in the human heart.
Blindness in Mythology and Religion
Blindness has also been used in mythology and religion as a symbol for spiritual blindness or lack of enlightenment. In Greek mythology, the god of the underworld, Hades, is often depicted as blind, representing his lack of understanding of the living world. In Christianity, blindness is often used as a metaphor for spiritual blindness or lack of faith. For instance, in the Gospel of John, Jesus heals a man who was born blind, symbolizing the spiritual awakening of the man’s soul.
Blindness in Visual Arts
Iconography of Blindness
Blindness has been a recurring theme in visual arts for centuries. In ancient Greek mythology, the blind prophet Tiresias played an important role in many stories. In Christian iconography, St. Lucy is often depicted holding her own eyes on a plate, symbolizing her willingness to sacrifice her sight for her faith. Similarly, the blindfolded Lady Justice represents impartiality and the idea that justice is blind.
Blindness in Painting and Sculpture
Many famous paintings and sculptures have also featured blindness as a prominent theme. Francisco Goya’s “The Blind Man” depicts an old man being led by a young boy, both of whom are blind. The painting is thought to represent the idea of the blind leading the blind, or the futility of human knowledge. Similarly, the statue of “Laocoön and His Sons” depicts the Trojan priest and his sons being attacked by sea serpents. Laocoön is blindfolded, symbolizing his inability to see the danger that is about to befall him and his family.
Other artists have used blindness to convey a sense of vulnerability or helplessness. The blindfolded figures in René Magritte’s “The Lovers” and Edward Hopper’s “Automat” both suggest a sense of isolation and disconnection from the world around them. In contrast, the blindfolded figure in Man Ray’s “Noire et Blanche” is presented as a symbol of beauty and mystery.
Contemporary Interpretations
Blindness in Film and Television
Blindness has been a common theme in film and television. Many films and TV shows have used blindness as a metaphor for various themes such as isolation, vulnerability, and loss. For instance, the 2018 Netflix series, Bird Box, features characters who are forced to navigate their world while blindfolded to avoid a supernatural force that drives people to suicide. This is an allegory for the fear and uncertainty that people face in the real world.
Similarly, the 2016 South Korean film, Don’t Breathe, portrays a group of teenagers who break into a blind man’s house to rob him, only to discover that he is a dangerous and violent psychopath. This film uses blindness as a metaphor for the inability to see the truth about a person’s character.
Blindness in Modern Literature
Blindness has also been a recurrent theme in modern literature. In addition to Saramago’s Blindness, other notable works of literature that explore blindness as an allegory include Margaret Atwood’s The Blind Assassin and Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go. These works use blindness as a metaphor for various themes such as ignorance, deception, and the loss of humanity.
In The Blind Assassin, Atwood explores the theme of blindness through the character of Iris Chase, who is blind to her own family’s secrets and the true nature of her sister’s death. Similarly, in Never Let Me Go, Ishiguro uses the metaphor of blindness to explore the theme of ignorance and the characters’ inability to see the truth about their own existence.
Philosophical Perspectives
Blindness and Knowledge
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is an insightful philosophical perspective on blindness and knowledge. In the allegory, prisoners are chained in a cave and can only see the shadows of objects on the wall. They believe these shadows are the only reality, but when one of the prisoners is freed and sees the actual objects, he realizes the shadows were only a mere representation of reality. This realization leads to a new level of knowledge and understanding.
Similarly, in real life, people often have limited knowledge and understanding of the world around them. They may be blinded by their own biases, beliefs, and experiences, and fail to see the truth. However, when they are exposed to new ideas and perspectives, they can gain a deeper understanding and knowledge of the world.
Blindness and Perception
Blindness is not only a physical condition, but it can also refer to a limited perception of the world. In the Allegory of the Cave, the prisoners’ perception of reality is limited to the shadows on the wall. They are unable to see beyond the cave and the objects in front of them. This limited perception of reality is similar to how people can be blinded by their own biases and beliefs.
However, just as the prisoner in the allegory gains a new perception of reality when he is freed from the cave, people can also expand their perception of the world by being open to new ideas and experiences. By challenging their own biases and beliefs, they can gain a broader perspective and a deeper understanding of the world.
Educational Applications
The allegory of blindness can be applied to various fields of education, including philosophy, literature, and media studies. The story encourages teachers and students to think beyond the surface level and to question the validity of their assumptions.
In philosophy, the allegory of blindness can be used to teach critical thinking and to challenge students to question their beliefs. By examining the metaphorical blindness that can plague society, students can learn to recognize and combat ignorance, indifference, and lack of empathy.
In literature, the allegory of blindness can be used to teach students about the power of metaphor and symbolism. By exploring the deeper meaning behind the story, students can develop their analytical skills and learn to appreciate the complexity of literary works.
In media studies, the allegory of blindness can be used to teach students about the role of media in shaping public opinion. By examining how the media can present things in a way that isn’t always true, students can learn to recognize bias and propaganda and to think critically about the information they consume.
Social and Cultural Commentary
Blindness, as an allegory, has been used to explore various social and cultural issues throughout history. In the case of Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, it is widely recognized as an allegory for the Red Scare and McCarthyism of the 1950s. The play explores themes of mass hysteria, scapegoating, and the dangers of conformity. It highlights how people can be easily manipulated and deceived by those in positions of power, and how fear and paranoia can lead to the persecution of innocent individuals.
Similarly, cultural blindness is a challenge that often goes unnoticed in social work, yet deeply impacts the effectiveness of the care provided. It refers to the inability to recognize and appreciate the cultural differences of clients, which can result in a lack of understanding and empathy. This can lead to miscommunication, misunderstandings, and even harm. Therefore, it is crucial for social workers to be aware of their own biases and to actively work towards developing cultural competence.
In Dr. Seuss’s book, The Sneetches, the allegory explores the themes of discrimination and prejudice. The story follows two groups of creatures, one with stars on their bellies and one without, and how they are treated differently by society. It highlights how people can be judged based on superficial characteristics, and how this can lead to division and conflict. The story ultimately teaches the importance of acceptance and inclusivity, and how we should celebrate our differences rather than allowing them to divide us.
Blindness Allegory in Popular Culture
Blindness, as a literary device, has been used in popular culture to represent various concepts such as ignorance, lack of awareness, and refusal to see reality. It has been used in movies, TV shows, and books to convey deeper meanings and ideas to the audience.
One of the most popular examples of blindness allegory in popular culture is the movie “Bird Box.” In this movie, the characters must navigate the world while blindfolded to avoid being killed by mysterious creatures that cause people to commit suicide. The blindfolds represent the willful ignorance and lack of empathy that can prevail in society, especially in times of crisis.
Another example is the TV show “Lost.” In this show, the character John Locke is paralyzed before arriving on the island, but he gains the ability to walk again on the island. This represents his newfound awareness and ability to see reality, which he was blind to before.
In the book “The Great Gatsby,” the character of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg is often seen as a symbol of blindness. The eyes of the billboard represent the moral decay of society and the lack of empathy and awareness that can prevail in it.