Blindness

Summary

The novel «Blindness» by José Saramago tells the story of a sudden epidemic of white blindness that strikes an unnamed city. People begin to lose their sight without any apparent cause, and the government, fearing the spread of the disease, quarantines the first afflicted individuals in an abandoned mental hospital. Soon, the hospital fills with new victims of the epidemic, and living conditions become unbearable. At the center of the story is a group of people, among whom is the only woman who retains her sight. She becomes their guide and protector in a world plunged into chaos and despair. The novel explores themes of human nature, morality, and survival under extreme conditions, illustrating how quickly society can deteriorate in a crisis.

Main Ideas

• Exploration of human nature and society in times of crisis.
• Blindness as a metaphor for spiritual and moral blindness.
• The issue of social isolation and societal degradation.
• Questions of power, control, and anarchy in extreme conditions.
• Study of human solidarity and mutual aid.
• Critique of bureaucracy and a soulless management system.
• Psychological and physical survival in chaos.
• Evolution of human relationships in the face of catastrophe.

Historical Context and Significance

Published in 1995, José Saramago's novel «Blindness» is a significant work of 20th-century literature. It explores themes of human nature, social order, and morality through the lens of a sudden blindness epidemic engulfing an unnamed city. The book received widespread acclaim for its allegorical depth and philosophical richness, earning Saramago the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1998. «Blindness» has had a substantial cultural impact, inspiring theatrical productions, films, and other works of art that explore societal vulnerability and individual responsibility. The novel has also been the subject of numerous academic studies analyzing its social and political undertones, as well as Saramago's writing style, known for its unique punctuation and stream of consciousness.

Main Characters and Their Development

• Doctor — an ophthalmologist who first encounters the blindness epidemic. He becomes one of the leaders of the group of blind people, striving to maintain humanity and order amidst chaos.
• Doctor's Wife — the only person who has not lost her sight. She pretends to be blind to stay close to her husband and becomes a moral and physical support for the group.
• First Blind Woman — the first person to lose her sight. She becomes one of the initial victims of the epidemic and symbolizes the onset of chaos.
• Boy with the Eye Patch — a child who loses his sight and is isolated with the other blind people. His innocence and vulnerability highlight the brutality of the situation.
• Old Man with the Black Eye Patch — an elderly man who also loses his sight. He represents wisdom and experience, but also helplessness in the face of catastrophe.
• Girl with Dark Glasses — a young woman who becomes one of the central figures in the group. Her past and relationships with other characters unfold as the story progresses.
• Taxi Driver — one of the first to lose his sight. His story illustrates how quickly society can degrade in a crisis.

Style and Technique

José Saramago's novel «Blindness» is distinguished by its unique style and use of literary techniques. The author employs a stream of consciousness approach, allowing a deeper dive into the characters' thoughts and emotions. The language of the work is rich with metaphors and symbolism, emphasizing the philosophical depth of the text. Saramago uses long, complex sentences, often without traditional punctuation, creating an effect of continuous narration and enhancing the sense of chaos and disorientation characteristic of the characters' situation. Dialogues in the book are often integrated into the text without clear demarcation, requiring the reader's attentiveness and active participation in the reading process. The novel's structure is nonlinear, reflecting the fragmented perception of the world by the blind characters. These elements of style and technique make «Blindness» a work that demands thoughtful reading and interpretation.

Interesting Facts

• The book begins with an epidemic of sudden blindness that affects the entire city, described as a 'milky-white' blindness, an unusual and symbolic image.
• The novel explores themes of human nature, morality, and society, showing how quickly civilization can collapse in a crisis.
• The book lacks proper names; characters are identified by their characteristics or roles, such as 'doctor' or 'doctor's wife,' highlighting the universality and anonymity of the situation.
• Blindness in the novel serves as a metaphor for the social and moral issues faced by society, prompting readers to reflect on how they perceive the world around them.
• The writing style is characterized by long sentences and the absence of traditional dialogues, creating a stream of consciousness effect and enhancing the atmosphere of chaos and disorientation.

Book Review

José Saramago's novel «Blindness» has received numerous positive reviews from critics for its profound philosophical and social significance. The book describes a world engulfed by an epidemic of sudden blindness and examines how society responds to such a catastrophe. Critics note that Saramago masterfully uses the metaphor of blindness to explore themes of human nature, morality, and civilization. The author's style, with its long sentences and lack of traditional punctuation, creates a sense of chaos and disorientation, enhancing the novel's atmosphere. Many reviewers emphasize that «Blindness» is not just a dystopia but a deep reflection on the thin line between civilization and barbarism. The book prompts readers to consider human solidarity, selfishness, and the capacity for survival in extreme conditions. Saramago succeeds in creating a tense and unsettling atmosphere that keeps the reader engaged until the very end. Overall, «Blindness» is considered one of the most important works of contemporary literature, remaining relevant due to its universal themes and powerful narrative.