Blindness
José Saramago’s Blindness presents an allegorical tale of a mysterious epidemic that causes sudden and total blindness in an entire population. The story reveals how society collapses under the weight of the crisis, as trust, morality, and basic human connections are put to the test.

The Analogy to Divorce

The themes in the novel resonate with the experience of divorce in several ways:

Loss of Stability and Control

Like the epidemic described in the book, divorce brings a sudden upheaval and loss of control over a seemingly stable reality. Just as blindness forces the characters to relearn how to live and navigate a new, unfamiliar world, divorce compels individuals to adapt to a new emotional, financial, and social reality.

Breakdown of Relationships

In the novel, relationships between characters are revealed as fragile. Blindness not only separates people but also exposes weaknesses in their connections. Similarly, divorce dismantles a marital relationship and often uncovers repressed emotions, internal conflicts, and communication failures that existed long before the separation.

Loneliness and Rediscovery of Human Connection

In the reality of blindness, the characters realize how much they depend on one another. Similarly, in divorce, individuals must confront new forms of loneliness and often rediscover the value of other human connections — family, friends, or new relationships.

Renewal and Growth from Crisis

Blindness in the novel can also be seen as an opportunity for growth, akin to a wake-up call that allows the characters to understand what truly matters to them. Similarly, divorce can serve as a phase of personal growth, where individuals redefine their identities and build lives that better align with their values and aspirations.

Returning to the Basics

In the novel, the characters are forced to focus on basic survival needs and rebuilding trust. Divorce similarly prompts a return to fundamental questions: Who am I without this partnership? How do I face my basic existence alone?

Dealing with Shame and Fear

The characters in the novel struggle with feelings of shame and fear after losing their basic ability to see. In divorce, feelings of failure, shame, and fear of the future often arise, requiring reflection and emotional processing to move forward.

The Power of Community and Mutual Support

During the crisis in the novel, the characters discover the importance of mutual assistance and community. In divorce, too, community support — friends, family, or support groups — often becomes a vital resource for coping.

Interdependence and Coping with Its Loss

In the novel, the characters must rely on one another intensely to survive. In divorce, people often need to redefine the boundaries between dependence and independence — both financially and emotionally.

The Impact of the Crisis on Children and Family

Although the novel does not focus on a specific nuclear family, it explores the collapse of an entire society, which can be paralleled with the way divorce affects children and family dynamics. The social breakdown in the book mirrors how children might experience the fragmentation of their family.

Clinging to the Past vs. Moving Forward

In the novel, some characters struggle to regain control of their lives despite the new reality. Similarly, in divorce, many people cling to the past, sometimes attempting to recreate it, while others choose to move forward and build a new future.

The Strength of Decisions During a Crisis

In the book, the characters face tough moral and practical decisions. Likewise, in divorce, decisions made during the crisis — regarding agreements, custody, or personal futures — have profound impacts on life afterward.

Coping with Extreme Emotions

As in the novel, where characters experience a wide range of emotions — fear, anger, despair, and hope — divorce involves intense emotions that require processing and management to move on.

The Role of Time in Healing

Just as the characters in the book go through a prolonged process of learning to live with blindness until solutions are found, time plays a crucial role in the healing process during and after divorce. Time allows individuals to rebuild and create a new, fulfilling life.

Conclusion
The analogy to divorce is not a direct theme of the novel, but the collapse of a society or relationship under a shared crisis is a central topic in both cases. It serves as a foundation for understanding the processes of breakdown, coping, and renewal.