For our creative project, Ian and I chose to demonstrate the concept of blindness, a reoccurring disability and method towards realization that was prevalent in the material we covered this semester. Oedipus, Tiresias, Gloucester, and Delacey were all victims, yet also beneficiaries of their blindness. I took on the burden of visual darkness to attempt to understand the visually impaired struggles of these literary heroes.
Blindness was a critical theme to this semester as an indication of true realization and personal insight. In Oedipus the King, the most knowledgeable character was represented by the prophet Tiresias. A lack of sight gave him supernatural foresight, gifted by the gods to bring news to able bodied characters that nevertheless failed to see the truth. Ironically, they reject this knowledge in favor of their own rationality and personal observations, trusting in what they have seen and understand rather than a different type of insight. In his moment of catharsis, Oedipus blinds himself in a painful statement of realization. His own sight had deceived him; indeed, his observations had led him through a complacent life riddled with hidden terrors. Blindness served to humble Oedipus and replace his corrupted sight with the purity of blindness. In a similar manner, Gloucester can only see the true nature of his sons after he has been blinded. His opinion had been corrupted with perfect vision, yet blinding had revealed to him the truth once forced to withdraw from sight and gain knowledge from more truthful intuition and evidence. Finally, Delacey (who is already blind when introduced) is to be praised as the only character that can see another side of Frankenstein’s monster. This semester’s reading has taught us that true realization is not necessarily a product of sight and observation; in fact, those factors can lead to misinterpretations and a delaying of the truth for many characters.
In light of this observation, we sought to explore the cognitive benefits of blindness through comical shenanigans encountered with my own visual disabilities. I did in fact gouge my own eyes out for the sake of this project- the blindfold was included merely to spare the viewer from slightly graphic wounds, and as a result I am forced to dictate this write-up as we speak. Anyways, although partially motivated by humor, certain scenes gave an experience similar to the previously mentioned characters and their struggles without sight. My piano proficiency demonstrates the ability of blindness to enhance other senses of touch and sound, and not entirely destroying the skillset of a previously able person. Frisbee, bathroom breaks, walking, and Trimble didn’t work out so well. While the disabilities of these characters weren’t particularly discussed, the humility, patience, and forced creativity brought by lack of sight allowed a shared understanding with the characters we had studied. My analysis of Star Wars was also incorrect, yet we intended to show the possibility of alternative opinions forced by a lack of reliance on sight. Most of all, blindness was difficult- yet that challenge forces the victim to view traditional vision as an unnecessary sense.
While devoid of opportunity for grand realization, such as the nature of Gloucester’s sons or Oedipus’ cursed past, I did notice the need and clear availability of alternative forms of realization. Blindness takes away a sense that is very difficult to replace, severely limiting day to day activities as well as the basic acquisition of knowledge. But, its exclusion forces that person to take more time and think before coming to a conclusion, as information is not as readily available. The rash decisions made by Oedipus or the characters in Frankenstein show the downside to readily available information and the resulting hasty conclusions. My experience demonstrated the potency of blindness as a catalyst to an ultimately more complete form of realization, and essential to the acquisition of truth found throughout the content of this semester.
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