Recalling a change in point of view from earlier in the poem, he alludes to himself in third person, “the face” (line 2), but now relates it back to him in an indirect way. This is shown when he suddenly changes from first person to second person, saying “your hair” (line 7) instead of “my hair”. Then, he further separates himself by depicting himself as two distinct entities. At the same time, this is ironic because he can’t see, but feel light. The “flash of light” (line 6) he mentions later is an example of sensual imagery that conveys that he can’t “see” so he can only rely on “feel”. To really show readers what he means, Borges uses a lot of imagery. He feels rage towards his blindness and has rejected the reality of it for a long time, to the point where he is tired and “weary”, yet he still fights it. This struggle within himself has gone on for a good period of time, as proven when he labels his face as “old” and “already weary” (line 3-4). He detaches himself with his choice of diction, choosing to say “the face in the mirror” (line 2) instead of referring to the face as his own, almost as if his face was something foreign something he no longer recognizes and thus, cannot claim that it’s his. He starts off with “I don’t know what face is looking back” (line 1), expressing a tone of uncertainty in the first three words alone. Readers come to realize that Borges doesn’t take his blindness well. In his poem “A Blind Man”, Borges reveals a deeper understanding to what he thinks of his blindness. He knew he would because it ran in his family but still, refused to learn braille. Overall, both Milton and Borges lose their identity along with their vision and struggle to find themselves in the dark.Īt age 55, Jorge Luis Borges went blind. However, “But then I think of letters and of roses,/I think, too, that if I could see my features,/I would know who I am, thus precious afternoon.”(lines 12-14) serves to emphasize that an essential part of his life is tied to the visible world, and he cannot help but lament his loss of sight. He acknowledges Milton’s wise and Noble words through “I say again that I have lost no more/Than the inconsequential skin of things.” (Lines 9-10), realizing that his loss of sight is only superficial. By saying “your hair” instead of “my hair” and using the juxtaposition of the 2 colors, Borges emphasizes that he doesn’t know who he is any longer. Furthermore, “I have made out your hair,/Color of ash and at the same time,gold” (lines 7-8) shows a further loss of identity. The first line, “I don’t know what face is looking back/Whenever I look at the face in the mirror” (lines 1-2), blatantly expresses his loss of identity. Borges goes through a similar struggle to find his own identity after losing his sight. Yet, when the personification of patience answers “God doth not need/Either man’s work or His own gifts” (lines 9-10), Milton is essentially stating that he has not lost his identity he is aware he can remain a follower of God even while blind. He endeavors to preserve his identity as a pious Christian, as stated by “though my soul more bent/To serve therewith my Maker”(lines 4-5), voicing his desire to work for God, but also realizing he cannot serve God as he had previously. This encompasses Milton’s devotion to God and his desire to stay devout despite the loss of his sight. He asks “Doth God exact day-labor,light denied?” (Line 7), wondering if God requires the blind to work for him. Milton ponders the role he is meant to play in life after the loss of his sight and wonders as to how he can serve God. Their common struggle led to a loss of identity and a mental journey reflecting upon self-identity. Unable to seek consolation through the gift of sight, they sought to find light and meaning to their dark lives. John Milton overall takes a more spiritual approach, while Jorge Luis Borges focuses more in on the materialistic consequences of blindness.īoth John Milton and Jorge Luis Borges struggled to find a path in their lives after becoming blind. In both poems, the narrators express their thoughts and approaches to dealing with the fact of their blindness. Thank You for Doing so.The poems “When I consider how my light is spent” by John Milton and “A Blind Man” by Jorge Luis Borges express two different points of view and approaches to the concept of becoming blind. If you find these Messages, Wishes & Quotes useful and lovely, kindly share them with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media. I love my sweetheart I am So Lost In Your Love I am happy I met you I am Lost In Your World Read: Best Short Love Poems Feeling Lost and Lonely You are the one I have been forever dreaming of I want to be lost in your arms Lost in you Poem I am lost in your love Lost in your Arms Poem
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