Blindness-JK

Blind

            Throughout the novel I Am Red, blindness is constantly mentioned, both by those praising its occurrence, and by those using it as a punishment. The state of blindness can be seen as an affirmation of the Eastern style of not only painting but the entire style of life, a rejection of the Western style of painting, and with it the Western way of life. Blindness is spoken with reverence by some characters and with screams of pain by others. The means by which it is presented within the work is confusing and challenging for it is never declared as wholly good or bad, it depends on the character. One could assume it is being used to depict the clash of the East and the West, for which the work presents no clear solution.

            One could see accepting becoming blind, to the point of wishing for such an occurrence, as a way of turning away from the West. Master Osman blinds himself, to reject the style of Western painting (321). This is a violent way to reject the West, clearing presenting the notion that any acceptance of a different style would be a fate worse than death.

            For others seeking blindness it was seen as an affirmation of their devotion to the work. Blindness is quoted as “a realm of bliss from which the Devil and guilt are barred” (81).  For the masters who sought blindness many were said to have been able paint in the Eastern style from memory, and some stated that they were painting in the style of Allah, from darkness and memory.  To have such passion for ones work, to the point in which sight is no longer needed is incredibly impressive, and can be used to belittle the flashy new styles and techniques of the Western painters. Again it can be read as a rejection of Western ways, yet in a much more subtle way, for the devotion of the masters blinded them from any other style.

            Yet is such a drastic act necessary? Can both styles not exist without destroying each other? Butterfly, one of the miniaturists states "An artist should never succumb to hubris of any kind, he should simply paint the way he sees fit rather than troubling over East or West."

The opinion of the horse can be seen as a parallel to this notion, for within his chapter he laments that the painters are portraying the style of horses incorrectly, with the misplacement of the feet “There isn’t a horse in the world who runs like a rabbit” (218) He then goes on to tell a story of a prince who slaughtered the horses in the kingdom for failing to live up to the images of the horses depicted in the pictures he had seen. This mindless slaughter could be seen as a warning for those working to obtain perfection within the work. The two styles could learn from one another, yet this blending is unachievable amidst the violent rejection of either side.

            In the state of death the issue of truly seeing seems to be resolved, as the Uncle claims to be viewing the most magnificent hues (229) and is able to ask Allah about the two styles to which he responds that the West and East are his (230). Despite this notion of both being under the rule of the same God, it does not give the reader a solution to the two styles, of both life and paintings. The answer is given to someone who cannot push for a compromise in the world of the living, therefore leaving the idea that only those who die can come to appreciate both styles.