Seeing Summary & Key Insights

José Saramago's "Seeing," translated by Margaret Jull Costa, unfolds in a world suddenly plunged into blindness. The narrative doesn't dwell on the cause of this epidemic; instead, it focuses on its devastating consequences on society and the human condition. The story centers around a nameless man, the protagonist, whose blindness begins gradually, affecting his perception in a way that renders him virtually unseen by others, even as he begins to see the world in a different, albeit limited, light.

The initial chaos caused by widespread blindness leads to the confinement of the affected in a quarantined building. Here, a rudimentary social structure emerges, marked by brutality, desperation, and the breakdown of established societal norms. Power dynamics shift dramatically; the blind, stripped of their former identities and social standing, are vulnerable to exploitation and violence. The protagonist's wife, a sighted woman, initially struggles to adjust to this new reality and subsequently aids her blind husband by finding food and protecting him.

Central to the narrative are several key characters who embody different facets of human nature within this chaotic situation. The doctor's wife, initially a self-preserving individual focused on surviving at any cost, becomes a crucial figure, demonstrating a surprising resilience and capacity for compassion as she guides the group. The thief, initially a cynical opportunist, also evolves, showing a glimmer of humanity despite his inherent self-interest. The representation of blindness is multifaceted; some individuals actively and cruelly prey on the vulnerable, highlighting the capacity for evil in both the blind and sighted.

Beyond the individual characters, the novel explores profound themes related to the nature of humanity, the fragility of social order, and the importance of empathy. The breakdown of society in the face of this catastrophe unveils the inherent darkness and the remarkable capacity for compassion that coexist within human beings. The stark reality of the quarantine exposes the hypocrisy and inequalities of the sighted world, revealing the extent to which sight influences social structures and power relationships.

Saramago masterfully uses the setting of blindness as a metaphor for societal blindness—the indifference to injustice and the blindness to the suffering of others, that prevail even in a world where physical sight remains intact. The novel concludes with a suggestion of a possible return to sight, prompting reflection on what truly matters and the lasting impact that the experience of mass blindness and isolation have had on the characters' perspectives and understanding of the world. The ambiguity of the ending leaves the reader pondering the lasting scars of collective trauma and the potential for societal renewal through empathy and mutual support.