A Man Who Had No Eyes

The author imbues “blindness” with both literal and symbolic meanings, and the motif of blindness develops the theme of Human Agency and Disability. Although Mr. Parsons is blind, his disability is understated, and his character is attributed with health and vigor. However, Markwardt’s blindness is his defining feature, and it accentuates his figurative moral blindness. Markwardt refuses to “see” that he himself is primarily responsible for his failure in life. He is also “blind” to the selfishness of his act of trampling on Mr. Parsons to escape from the factory building. Further, in the climax, he ignorantly assumes that Parsons must have become successful because he escaped with his eyesight intact. He refuses to clearly perceive the reality of life. When he screams, “BUT I’M BLIND! I’M BLIND” (Paragraph 26), blindness becomes symbolic of the darkness of his character and conscience.

The motif of dirtiness and cleanliness develops the theme of Appearance Versus Reality. The attire and demeanor of the two men symbolize their character traits. Mr. Parsons is refined, dressed in an “immaculate gray suit and gray hat” (Paragraph 8). He carries a Malacca stick, which is comparatively more sophisticated and well-made than Markwardt’s “battered cane.