'I don't see. but I understand' : blindness and the blind in literature

Abstract

Blindness is the most feared lack of all the senses because it has always been associated with darkness and not seeing. This dissertation will investigate how literature has presented this phenomenon in different genres and forms and whether it has helped to curb or feed the fear of the unknown state of blindness. The three forms of blindness which will be the focus of the whole argument within this dissertation are physical blindness, critical blindness and metaphorical blindness, as together and individually they incorporate how critics, authors, poets, film-makers and creative artists have perceived blindness and the blind person. The main argument which will be constantly addressed is whether a blind person can be described as not being able to see and visa versa. The title of this dissertation, "I don't see. But I understand" has be chosen with care. It is a direct quote from Elizabeth Kata's Be Ready with Bells and Drums which shows that blindness as not seeing is a misconception which needs to be resolved.