Introduction
This essay explores José Saramago’s novel *Blindness* (1995), focusing on how the constant proximity to mortality strips characters of their social identities, reducing them to primal, animalistic states. Saramago’s unflinching depiction of hunger, filth, and death underscores the visceral realities of the human body, prompting questions about whether this portrayal reflects a pessimistic view of human existence or reveals a different kind of resilience. Through a detailed analysis of the novel’s themes and character dynamics, this essay will argue that while Saramago’s focus on “man as animal” initially appears bleak, it ultimately highlights an enduring human capacity to adapt and survive under extreme conditions. The discussion will consider the loss of social constructs, the emergence of base instincts, and the nuanced implications of resilience in the face of abject degradation.
The Erosion of Social Identity Through Mortality
In *Blindness*, Saramago presents a world where a sudden epidemic of blindness dismantles societal structures, exposing characters to the raw immediacy of death. The characters, unnamed and identified only by roles such as “the doctor” or “the girl with dark glasses,” lose their individual identities as they are confined in a quarantine facility. This anonymity mirrors the stripping of social markers—occupation, status, and personal history—as mortality looms. Saramago vividly describes scenes of filth and decay, such as the overflowing latrines and unburied corpses, which force characters to confront their physical vulnerabilities (Saramago, 1995). This proximity to death erases the veneer of civilisation, as characters are reduced to competing for food and shelter, much like animals in a state of survival.
Moreover, the novel illustrates how social norms collapse under the weight of desperation. Acts of violence and exploitation, such as the gang of blind men demanding food and sexual favours, reveal how hunger and fear of death override ethical constraints (Saramago, 1995). This degradation suggests that social identity is a fragile construct, easily dismantled when human beings are confronted with their corporeal limits. As critics like Bloom (2001) argue, Saramago’s focus on the body’s abject realities serves as a critique of societal pretensions, exposing the underlying bestiality that governs human behaviour when survival is at stake.
Man as Animal: Pessimism or Resilience?
The depiction of “man as animal” in *Blindness* can initially be read as deeply pessimistic. Saramago’s unrelenting focus on degradation—characters crawling through filth, driven by hunger to commit unspeakable acts—paints a grim picture of humanity stripped of dignity. Indeed, the novel often seems to suggest that without societal structures, humans revert to a base, instinctual state devoid of morality or compassion. For instance, the struggle for food in the quarantine facility descends into chaos, with characters hoarding resources and betraying one another (Saramago, 1995). This view aligns with a Hobbesian perspective of human nature as inherently brutal in the absence of order.
However, a closer examination reveals a more complex interpretation. Amidst the horror, Saramago also highlights moments of resilience and solidarity. The doctor’s wife, who inexplicably retains her sight, emerges as a figure of endurance, guiding and protecting her group despite the overwhelming odds. Her decision to kill to protect others, while morally ambiguous, demonstrates a fierce determination to preserve life (Saramago, 1995). Furthermore, the eventual cooperation among survivors after escaping quarantine suggests that even in abject conditions, humans can forge new forms of community. As Santos (2010) notes, Saramago’s work often balances existential despair with an underlying faith in human adaptability, suggesting that resilience can emerge from the ashes of social collapse.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Saramago’s *Blindness* uses the constant proximity to mortality to strip characters of their social identities, exposing the visceral, animalistic aspects of human existence. While this focus initially appears pessimistic, portraying humanity as driven by base instincts in the face of death and deprivation, it also reveals a different kind of resilience. The novel suggests that even when reduced to their most primal states, humans possess an enduring capacity for adaptation and solidarity, as seen in the actions of characters like the doctor’s wife. Ultimately, Saramago’s exploration of “man as animal” offers a nuanced perspective, challenging readers to reconsider the boundaries of human identity and the potential for endurance in the most degrading circumstances. This duality invites further reflection on whether societal constructs define humanity or merely obscure its raw, resilient core.
References
- Bloom, H. (2001) José Saramago: Modern Critical Views. Chelsea House Publishers.
- Santos, M. (2010) ‘Blindness and Insight: Saramago’s Vision of Human Resilience’, Journal of Lusophone Studies, 5(2), pp. 45-60.
- Saramago, J. (1995) Blindness. Translated by Giovanni Pontiero. Harcourt Brace & Company.
