TL;DR
Blindness is a dystopian novel that explores the depths of human nature when a city is struck by a sudden epidemic of blindness. As societal structures crumble and chaos reigns, a small group of individuals navigate the darkness, facing their own inner demons and the brutality of a world without sight.
Table of contents
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Author & Writing Background
José Saramago was a Portuguese writer and Nobel laureate known for his allegorical and thought-provoking works. He often explored themes of human existence, morality, and social justice. His writing style is characterized by long, flowing sentences, stream-of-consciousness narration, and a unique use of punctuation.
Key Takeaways
The Sudden Epidemic
The story begins with a mysterious epidemic of “white blindness” that rapidly spreads throughout the city, plunging its inhabitants into darkness and despair.
Breakdown of Society
As the blindness spreads, social order collapses, leading to violence, looting, and a struggle for survival. The government’s attempts to contain the epidemic prove futile.
The Doctor’s Wife
The story follows a small group of characters, led by the doctor’s wife who inexplicably retains her sight. She becomes their guide and protector in the midst of the chaos.
Life in the Asylum
The blind are quarantined in an abandoned asylum, where they face horrific conditions, dwindling resources, and the threat of violence from a group of power-hungry ward inmates.
Loss of Identity and Humanity
The blindness strips individuals of their identity and humanity, as they are reduced to their most basic instincts and struggle to maintain their dignity.
Resilience and Hope
Despite the darkness and despair, the characters demonstrate resilience and a capacity for compassion, forming bonds of solidarity and finding moments of hope.
The Dog of Tears
A stray dog, aptly named the Dog of Tears, becomes a symbol of loyalty and companionship, providing comfort and a connection to the outside world.
Return of Sight and Uncertainty
As mysteriously as it began, the blindness starts to recede, leaving the characters to grapple with the aftermath and the uncertainty of the future.
FAQ about Blindness
What is the symbolism of blindness in the book?
The blindness serves as a metaphor for various themes, including the fragility of civilization, the loss of reason and morality, and the limitations of human perception.
Is the book a commentary on current society?
While written in the 20th century, Blindness’s exploration of societal breakdown, human behavior, and the struggle for survival remains relevant and thought-provoking in contemporary times.
Is there a sequel to Blindness?
Yes, Saramago wrote a sequel titled “Seeing” which revisits the same city years after the events of Blindness and explores the consequences of the epidemic on the society and its political system.
Blindness Quotes
- “If you can see, look. If you can look, observe.”
- “I don’t think we did go blind, I think we are blind, Blind but seeing, Blind people who can see, but do not see.”
- Inside us there is something that has no name, that something is what we are