Blindness

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.