Most people believe blindness is a disability that significantly impairs one’s ability to live a normal life. However, in the movie “The Book of Eli,” starring Denzel Washington, the leading character, Eli, is depicted as a blind man who can survive in a post-apocalyptic world. It has led some people to question whether blindness impairs one’s ability to function in society.
In this blog post, We will explore the abilities and limitations of blind people and discuss whether or not blindness is a disability. We will also provide evidence from the movie “The Book of Eli” to support my argument.
Is Eli Blind?
Eli is a four-year-old boy who was born with cataracts in both eyes. His parents treated cataracts with surgery, but unfortunately, they did not fully resolve the problem. As a result, Eli has very poor vision and is legally blind.
He can see some light and shapes but cannot make out details or colors. He attends a school for the blind, where he is learning how to cope with his vision impairment.
While it presents many challenges, Eli is adjusting well and making the most of his situation.
Was Eli Blind In The Book Of Eli
In the book of Eli, the titular character is indeed blind. This is made clear early on in the story when Eli is shown struggling to get around and performing everyday tasks with great difficulty.
However, despite his blindness, Eli is still a skilled fighter and hunter, able to take down prey and protect himself from danger. It is his impressive fighting skills that help him to survive in a post-apocalyptic world that is full of danger.
While his blindness presents challenges, it does not stop Eli from being a fierce and capable survivor.
What Caused Eli to Become Almost Blind
At just four years old, Eli began to experience symptoms of a rare degenerative eye condition that eventually left him almost completely blind. Fortunately, he has retained some vision thanks to early diagnosis and treatment and leads a relatively normal life. But what exactly caused Eli’s condition?
Eli’s condition is caused by a genetic mutation that affects the proteins in the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. In people with this condition, the retina gradually breaks down, leading to vision loss.
The exact effects of the mutation vary from person to person, but most people with this condition will eventually lose their sight completely.
While there is currently no cure for this condition, early diagnosis and treatment can help slow down the disease’s progression and preserve some vision.
Thanks to advances in medical technology, Eli has retained some sight and lives a relatively normal life. However, his condition is still serious, and he will need regular monitoring and care from his doctors.
There are different degrees of blindness, and Eli’s is not total. He has what is called low vision, which means that he can see some light and shapes but not colors or details. His parents had surgery to correct his vision when he was a baby, but it only partially worked.
Why Does Everyone Wear Sunglasses In The Book Of Eli?
In the book of Eli, everyone wears sunglasses while outdoors because of some ill-specified fallout from the war. While this may seem like a small detail, it is a very important part of the story.
The sunglasses protect the characters’ eyes from the sun’s harmful rays, which could blind them. In a world where resources are scarce, and danger is ever-present, the characters must be able to see to survive.
The sunglasses also help to hide the characters’ identities, allowing them to move about anonymously. In a world where trust is difficult to come by, the characters need all the anonymity they can get.
The sunglasses are just one of many ways the characters in EliAdapt to their post-apocalyptic world to survive.
Is Denzel Supposed To Be Blind In The Book Of Eli?
In Eli, Denzel Washington’s character is supposed to be blind. It is clear from how he is written and portrayed in the film. For instance, when he is first introduced, he is shown walking with a cane and wearing dark glasses.
His eyes are also bandaged, and he constantly asks people for help. Moreover often relies on his other senses to guide him when he is in combat, and he frequently misses his target.
In short, there are many indications that Denzel Washington’s character is supposed to be blind in the book of Eli.
Why Does Everyone Wear Sunglasses In The Book Of Eli?
In the Book of Eli, everyone wears sunglasses because of some ill-specified fallout from the war. It is never fully explained, but sunglasses protect people from the harmful effects of radiation.
It is likely because radiation exposure can cause a condition known as “snow blindness,” which causes severe pain and temporary blindness. By wearing sunglasses, the people in the Book of Eli can protect their eyes from the harmful effects of radiation.
Why Do The Cannibal’s Hands Shake In the Book Of Eli?
In the book of Eli, the protagonist’s hands shake due to a condition called kuru. Kuru is a degenerative neurological disorder that was once common among the Fore people of Papua New Guinea. The disease is thought to be caused by cannibalism, which was common among the Fore until it was stopped in the 1950s.
Tremors, and muscle weakness, characterize Kuru and difficulty speaking. It is a fatal disease, and there is no known cure. The shaking of Eli’s hands is likely meant to be a symbolic representation of the damage that cannibalism can cause.
How Do We Know Eli Is Blind?
Carnegie discovers that the book Eli has been reading is in Braille, revealing that he is blind. Braille is a system of raised dots that can be read with the fingertips. It was developed in the early 1800s by Louis Braille, a French student who lost sight at a young age.
Braille books are typically much thicker than regular books because they have to be embossed or printed on special paper. Carnegie’s discovery explains why Eli has been carrying a cane and why he always wears sunglasses.
It also helps to explain why he is so interested in books; he can touch and feel them in a way other people can’t. Now that we know Eli is blind, we can better understand his actions and motivations.
In The Book of Eli, Was He Blind
One of the key plot points in The Book of Eli is whether or not the title character is blind. This question is never definitively answered in the film, but several clues suggest Eli may be able to see. For example, early in the film, he is shown reading a book, which would be difficult for a blind person to do.
Furthermore, Eli can easily navigate the post-apocalyptic wasteland, suggesting that he has a strong sense of spatial awareness.
However, there are also several scenes in which Eli struggles to see, such as when he has trouble finding firewood in the dark.
Ultimately, whether or not Eli is blind is open to interpretation, but the evidence suggests that he may have some level of sight.
Final Verdict: Is Eli Blind in the Book of Eli
The Book of Eli is an interesting take on the biblical story of Job. In both stories, the main character is blind. However, while Job’s blindness leads to his ultimate victory, Eli’s blindness causes him to fail. What can we learn from this? We can learn that even when things seem bad, we should never give up hope because God has a plan for us.
