Forms

blind, blindly

Related Terms

Eyes, Window, See

Explication

Due to its ability to function as a noun, verb, and adjective, the use of the word blind serves a few main purposes throughout Ulysses. The first comes through the noun form of the word—something that blocks out light or the ability to see. Throughout the novel, the image of a blind often comes up with reference to a character’s proximity to a window and the purpose it does or does not serve. One of the first interactions readers witness between Leopold Bloom and Molly involves an inquiry about a physical blind: “—Do you want the blind up? / Letting the blind up by gentle tugs…” (U. 4.255-256). In this sense, the object of a blind operates a noun with a specific purpose: to prevent a certain capability (sight or light) from occurring.

Another significant usage of blind in the novel is as an illustrative adjective. Used to describe historical figures (i.e. “old blind Abraham” U. 5.201), as well as recurring characters (refer to U. 8.1075), it expectedly depicts images of those who cannot see. Throughout the novel this form is used to both describe characters that are actually incapable of sight, or simply those who show attributes that would label them as such (i.e. obliviousness). However, blind as an adjective also serves to describe a certain type of belief that comes up throughout the novel. Filled with (often ironic) religious imagery, Joyce’s word choice of “blind faith” (U. 5. 377) must be evaluated with this tone in mind. In this way, blind comes up as a description of those who take comforts in religion without any worry or deeper understanding, a concept complicated throughout Ulysses.

Although sparsely used throughout the novel, blind as a verb does come up to convey the action of causing a state characterized by the inability to see. The first time the verb form of blind occurs is in reference to both an animal, and not actually carrying out the action: “it wouldn’t blind him” (U. 12. 700). Although this portrays an occurrence in which the verb wouldn’t actually happen, the repetitive use of the word throughout Ulysses makes such an instance stand out. The novel spends much time depicting characters (and animals) with reference to their ability to see, and their awareness of the space in which they inhabit.

Definitions and Examples

I. Blind, n. Anything which obstructs the light or sight. (OED 1). spec. A screen for a window, made of woven material mounted on a roller, of wire gauze, etc.; used to prevent the entrance of too much light, or to keep people from seeing in. (OED 2).

• “Letting the blind up by gentle tugs halfway” (U. 4.256)
• “He passed an arm through the armstrap and looked seriously from the open carriagewindow at the lowered blinds of the avenue” (U. 6.10-12)“The room in the hotel with hunting pictures. Stuffy it was. Sunlight through the slats of the Venetian blind” (U. 6.360-361)
• “Miss Douce’s brave eyes, unregarded, turned from the crossblind smitten by sunlight. Gone. Pensive (who knows?), smitten (the smiting light), she lowered the dropblind with a sliding cord.” (U. 11.460-462)
• “The gay sweet chirping whistling within went on a bar or two, ceased. The blind of the window was drawn aside.” (U. 10.249-250) 

  II. Blind, adj. (and adv.). Destitute of the sense of sight, whether by natural defect or by deprivation (OED 1.a).

• “The scene he was always talking about where the old blind Abraham recognises the voice and puts his fingers on his face” (U. 5.201-202)·
• “Phew! Dreadful simply! Child’s head too big: forceps. Doubled up inside her trying to butt its way out blindly, groping for the way out.” (U. 8.374-376)·
• “A blind stripling stood tapping the curbstone with his slender cane. No tram in sight. Wants to cross. –Do you want to cross? Mr Bloom asked. The blind stripling did not answer. His wallface frowned weakly. He moved his head uncertainly.” (U. 8.1075-1079)

  III. Blind, v. To make blind, deprive of sight (OED 1).

• “I’d train him by kindness, so I would, if he was my dog. Give him a rousing fine kick now and again where it wouldn’t blind him.” (U. 12.698-700)

Related Topics

Vision, Health/Ability, Light/Dark