Blog Post #1

While there were many examples in Dillard's "Seeing" that used exemplary examples of descriptive writing to describe perception and viewing of others, the one segment that really resonated with me was in regards to the healing of those with cataracts.  As displayed on page seven,  Dillard quotes:

"Some do learn to see, especially the young ones. But it changes their lives. One doctor comments 
on 'the rapid and complete loss of that striking and wonderful serenity which is characteristic only 
of those who have never yet seen.' A blind man who learns to see is ashamed of his old habits. He 
dresses up, grooms himself, and tries to make a good impression. While he was blind he was indifferent 
to objects unless they were edible; now, 'a sifting of values sets in… his thoughts and wishes are 
mightily stirred and some few of the patients are thereby led into dissimulation, envy, theft and fraud.'"

As humans, we have developed a culture where's one's looks are of high importance, and determine 
factors such as status or wealth.  Over the course of history, looks have dictated how we clothe ourselves, 
how we portray ourselves, and how we even view ourselves.  As Dillard examines, this line of judgment 
that we have all learned to develop depends solely on our ability to see.  With someone with a vision 
impairment such as cataracts, how one appears is not a factor in how they may view someone.  
Subsequently, the appearance of themselves also does not matter, as they cannot judge what they cannot 
see.

Once the man gains vision, we see how his opinions shift to where he cares about his appearance more, 
where before he had only cared about food.  Dillard uses this example to exemplify how over the course 
of our lives, we as humans learn new ideas and gain new perspectives or "sight" that change how we 
perceive ourselves and others; however, instead of enlightenment, this literal example of finding sight
shows that the man has only gained negative emotions about himself; shame, envy, and an urge to impress
others.