Blindness by George William Russell
Blindness is a novel by José Saramago that tells the story of an unexplained mass epidemic of blindness afflicting nearly everyone in an unnamed city, and the social breakdown that follows. The book explores themes of human nature, morality, and survival in extreme circumstances.
By George William Russell · First published 1924 · Genre: Poetry, Romantic, Philosophical · 161 words
First lines
Our true hearts are forever lonely: A wistfulness is in our thought: Our lights are like the dawns which only Seem bright to us and yet are not.
Something you see in me I wis not: Another heart in you I guess: A stranger's lips -- but thine I kiss not, Erring in all my tenderness.
I sometimes think a mighty lover Takes every burning kiss we give: His lights are those which round us hover: For him alone our lives we live.
Ah, sigh for us whose hearts unseeing Point all their passionate love in vain, And blinded in the joy of being, Meet only when pain touches pain.
What this Textopian page supports
Blindness is listed on Textopian as a novel by George William Russell, dated 1924 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: George William Russell
- Date: 1924 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romantic, Philosophical, Symbolism
- Length: 161 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Blindness by George William Russell
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Blindness?
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Romantic — Themes of love, longing, and emotional connection are central to the text.
- Philosophical — Explores existential themes and the nature of human connection and perception.
- Symbolism — Uses symbolic language to convey deeper meanings about love and existence.
Tags
perception · reality · philosophy · existentialism · human condition · isolation · society · awareness · darkness · enlightenment · metaphor · symbolism