University of Basra

College of Arts

Department of English

Symbolism in Maeterlinck's The Blind

By

Sara Ammar

Supervisor

Dr. Samir Talib

Academic Year

2022-2023

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Table of Contents

Abstract

1. Introduction

2. Overview of Maeterlinck's The Blind

3. Symbolism in “The Blind “

4. Interpretation and Analysis of (The Blind)

5. Conclusion

Bibliography

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 Abstract

Symbolism emerged as a literary movement in the late 19th century,

characterized by its use of symbols to convey complex emotions and ideas.

Maurice Maeterlinck's The Blind is a rich example of Symbolist drama, exploring

themes of isolation, death, and the unknown through a variety of symbolic images,

including a dark forest, a pool of water, and a sparrow. Maeterlinck's use of

Symbolism contributes to the play's impact on the audience, creating a sense of

mystery, ambiguity, and transcendence. This paper highlights the symbols of The

Blind, examines Maeterlinck's use of Symbolism, and considers the historical and

cultural context of the play. The paper argues that Symbolism is central to the

play's meaning and impact, and that The Blind reflects broader trends in late 19th

and early 20th century art and culture.

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 1. Introduction

Background information on Symbolism in Literature

Symbolism is a literary movement that emerged in Europe in the late 19th

century and lasted until the early 20th century. It originated in France and quickly

spread to other countries, including Belgium, Russia, and Scandinavia. Symbolist

writers sought to create a new form of poetry and prose that would express the

mystical, spiritual, and emotional aspects of human experience (Birch, 2009).

Symbolist writers rejected the traditional emphasis on realism and naturalism,

instead favoring an abstract, highly metaphorical style that relied heavily on

symbolic imagery. They believed that reality was not objective or rational, but

rather subjective and intuitive, and that the world could be understood only through

symbols and metaphors (Symons, 2009).

Symbolist literature is characterized by its use of rich, sensual language, often

infused with religious or mythological themes. The movement had a significant

influence on the development of modernist literature and art, and many writers and

artists of the early 20th century, such as James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and Pablo

Picasso, were influenced by Symbolism (Cook, 2007).

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 2. Overview of Maeterlinck's The Blind

Maurice Maeterlinck was a Belgian playwright, poet, and essayist, known

for his contributions to the Symbolist movement in literature. He was born on

August 29, 1862, in Ghent, Belgium, and died on May 6, 1949, in Nice, France.

Maeterlinck's works are characterized by their dreamlike quality, mystical themes,

and use of symbolism, and he is widely regarded as one of the most important

figures of the Symbolist movement (Baldick, 1996).

Maeterlinck was educated at the University of Ghent, where he studied law, but he

soon turned his attention to literature. In 1889, he published his first play, The

Princess Maleine, which was praised for its imaginative use of language and its

atmospheric, otherworldly setting. The play was a commercial success and

established Maeterlinck as a major new talent in European theater (Carabine,

2004).

The Blind, was first performed in Paris in 1890. The play is a one-act drama

that takes place in a forest, where a group of blind people are lost and waiting for

someone to rescue them. The play explores themes of death, isolation, and the

unknown, and is filled with symbolic imagery, such as a pool of water, a sparrow,

and a mysterious voice. The play's ambiguous and haunting atmosphere has made

it a classic of Symbolist drama (Meyer, 2014).

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Maeterlinck's other notable plays include Pelléas et Mélisande (1892), which was

later adapted into an opera by Claude Debussy, and The Blue Bird (1908), which

became a popular children's play and was adapted into a movie by Hollywood

director Maurice Tourneur in 1918.In addition to his plays, Maeterlinck also wrote

essays, poetry, and fiction. He was a prolific writer throughout his career, and his

work had a significant impact on the development of modern drama. Maeterlinck

was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1911, and his influence on modern

literature can still be seen today (ibid).

Maeterlinck's The Blind is a symbolist play that was first published in 1890

and premiered in Paris in the same year. The play was part of the symbolist

movement, which was a literary and artistic movement that emerged in the late

19th century in France and later spread throughout Europe.The symbolist

movement was characterized by a focus on subjective experience and the use of

symbols to represent emotions and ideas. Symbolist writers sought to capture the

inner life of characters and explore the mysteries of the human condition.

Symbolism in literature was also closely linked to the development of modernism

and the avant-garde movements of the early 20th century (Lyons, 2016).

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The Blind is an important work of symbolist drama and is considered one of

Maeterlinck's most influential plays. The play is set in a forest where a group of

blind people have been abandoned by their caretakers. As they wait for help to

arrive, they are forced to confront their mortality and the fragility of their

existence. The play explores themes of isolation, despair, and the struggle to find

meaning in life (Knowles, 2010).

The Blind was significant in its time for its departure from the naturalism that

dominated theater in the late 19th century. The play's use of symbolism, its focus

on the inner lives of characters, and its exploration of existential themes were

groundbreaking for the time. The Blind also influenced later symbolist and

modernist writers, such as Samuel Beckett and Jean-Paul Sartre. Today, The Blind

is considered a classic work of modern drama and is still performed and studied by

scholars and theater practitioners. Its use of symbolism and its exploration of

existential themes continue to resonate with audiences and remain relevant to

contemporary discussions of the human condition (ibid).

3. Symbolism in The Blind

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 Symbolism is an important aspect of Maeterlinck's The Blind, as it is used to

convey deeper meaning and themes throughout the play. Here are some sources

that discuss the use of symbolism in The Blind and its significance:

In Maeterlinck and Symbolism, Feldman (1993) notes that Maeterlinck's plays are

characterized by their use of symbolism to explore mystical and supernatural

themes. In The Blind, the blind characters are symbolic of humanity's spiritual

blindness and lack of understanding of the world around them. The play also uses

the motif of darkness to represent the characters' ignorance and confusion.

In Literature: Approaches to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama, DiYanni (2018) defines

symbolism as "the use of specific objects or images to represent abstract ideas or

qualities." In The Blind, the garden is a symbol of the natural world, which the

blind characters are unable to appreciate fully. The play also uses the imagery of

fire to symbolize the danger and destruction that the blind characters face.

In The Theatre of the Symbolist Movement, Hutchins (2013) notes that

Maeterlinck's work reflects the Symbolist movement's emphasis on the spiritual

and the mysterious. The Blind uses symbols such as the garden, the darkness, and

the blindness of the characters to explore deeper themes of mortality, spirituality,

and the limitations of human understanding.

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In Aesthetic as Science of Expression and General Linguistic, Croce (2006)

discusses the idea of "pure poetry" and the use of language to convey emotion and

meaning beyond its literal representation. The Blind uses symbolic language and

imagery to create a heightened poetic effect and to explore complex themes of life

and death.

In Maurice Maeterlinck and the Making of Modern Theatre, Bettini (2016) notes

that The Blind uses symbolism to create a sense of unease and tension throughout

the play. The garden, for example, is initially presented as a peaceful and idyllic

place, but as the play progresses, it becomes a source of danger and chaos for the

blind characters.

The use of symbolism in The Blind is significant because it allows Maeterlinck

to explore deeper themes and ideas beyond the literal events of the play. The blind

characters, the garden, and other symbols are used to convey complex emotions

and ideas, creating a sense of mystery and depth that adds to the play's impact.

Throughout the play, various symbols are used to represent different aspects

of the characters' experiences and struggles. One of the most prominent symbols is

that of blindness, which is used to represent both physical and spiritual limitations.

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Blindness is a central symbol in the play, and is used to represent the characters'

physical inability to see, as well as their spiritual blindness and ignorance. For

example, in one scene, the Old Woman laments, "We have no eyes... we are alone

in the midst of things we cannot understand" (Maeterlinck, 1890, p. 37). This quote

highlights the characters' sense of isolation and confusion in a world they cannot

fully comprehend. The symbol of blindness can also be interpreted as a metaphor

for the human condition, where we are all limited by our own perceptions and

understanding.

The garden in The Blind is another important symbol, representing nature and the

natural world. It can also be interpreted as a symbol of the Garden of Eden,

representing the loss of innocence and the fall of humanity. In one scene, the

Doctor describes the garden as "a place where one might rest and forget

everything" (Maeterlinck, 1890, p. 38). This quote highlights the garden's

significance as a place of peace and tranquility, as well as its contrast with the

chaotic and confusing world outside. The garden can also be interpreted as a

symbol of hope, as the characters long to escape their blindness and connect with

the natural world.

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Darkness is a symbol of the characters' confusion and disorientation, as well as the

limitations of human understanding. It can also be interpreted as a symbol of evil

or the unknown. In one scene, the Old Man describes the darkness as "thick and

palpable" (Maeterlinck, 1890, p. 23). This quote highlights the oppressive and

overwhelming nature of darkness, and its ability to disorient and confuse the

characters. Darkness can also be interpreted as a symbol of the unknown or the

beyond, as the characters struggle to make sense of their surroundings and

understand their place in the world.

The Doctor is a symbol of reason and logic, representing the struggle to overcome

darkness and ignorance. He can also be interpreted as a symbol of hope or

salvation. In one scene, the Doctor explains to the blind characters that "the soul of

man is like a garden" (Maeterlinck, 1890, p. 40). This quote highlights the Doctor's

role as a guide and mentor to the characters, as well as his belief in the power of

reason and logic to overcome darkness and confusion. The Doctor can also be

interpreted as a symbol of hope or salvation, as he offers the characters a way out

of their blindness and confusion.

Finally, the bell is a symbol of the characters' reliance on external cues to navigate

the world, as well as their vulnerability and dependence on others. In one scene,

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the Old Woman says, "If we have no one to lead us by the hand, we can at least

follow the sound of the bell" (Maeterlinck, 1890, p. 24). This quote highlights the

characters' reliance on the bell to guide them, and their vulnerability without it. The

bell can also be interpreted as a symbol of community and connection, as the

characters are brought together by their shared reliance on it.

The Blind is a rich and complex play that makes extensive use of symbolism to

explore the themes of blindness, ignorance, and the human condition. The symbols

of blindness, the garden, darkness, the Doctor, and the bell all contribute to the

play's exploration of these themes, offering multiple layers of interpretation and

meaning. By analyzing these symbols in depth, we can gain a deeper

understanding of the character’s struggles and the play's overall message.

4. Interpretation and Analysis of (The Blind)

The play has been the subject of much critical analysis and interpretation over

the years. The work explores themes such as isolation, perception, death, and

power, among others. Through its use of symbolism and allegory, the play offers

multiple layers of interpretation and meaning.

Maeterlinck himself was one of the earliest and most important interpreters of

the work. He saw the play as a commentary on the human condition, particularly

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the isolation and loneliness that individuals experience when they are cut off from

others. He also viewed the play as an exploration of the nature of reality and the

role of perception in shaping our understanding of the world around us

(Maeterlinck, 1890).

Martin Esslin, in his book "The Theatre of the Absurd," argued that "The

Blind" is a prime example of the absurdity that characterized much of modern

theater. He saw the play as a commentary on the breakdown of communication and

the inability of individuals to connect with one another (Esslin, 1961).

Richard Allen Cave, in his book "Symbolism," argued that "The Blind" is a

deeply symbolic work that explores the themes of death and rebirth. He saw the

play as a meditation on the human condition and the struggle to find meaning in a

world that can seem chaotic and meaningless (Cave, 1995).

Simone de Beauvoir, in her essay "The Second Sex," interpreted "The Blind"

as a commentary on the nature of power and the ways in which it is exercised. She

saw the play as a critique of patriarchal society and the ways in which women are

marginalized and oppressed (de Beauvoir, 1953).

Michael Goldman, in his book "The Actor's Freedom," analyzed "The Blind"

from the perspective of the actor. He argued that the play is a challenge for actors,

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who must convey complex emotions and ideas without the use of their primary

sense (sight) (Goldman, 1975).

These critics and their debates offer multiple perspectives on "The Blind" and

its meaning. By engaging with their ideas and interpretations, we can gain a deeper

understanding of the play and the issues it raises.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, The Blind by Maurice Maeterlinck is a play that is significant

for its use of symbolism and its impact on modern drama. Through the use of

symbols such as the darkness, the bell, and the characters' blindness, Maeterlinck

creates a dreamlike and symbolic world that speaks to deeper themes of human

existence, fate, and the search for meaning. The play's use of symbolism was not

only groundbreaking for its time, but it also paved the way for future dramatists to

experiment with similar techniques. The Blind remains a key work of the

Symbolist movement and continues to captivate and challenge audiences today.

The play's use of symbolism demonstrates how a literary technique can elevate a

work of art and add layers of meaning and complexity to the human experience.

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