Essay Sample on Overcoming Physical Disabilities: Borges' Perspective

Introduction

It is essential to note that regardless of whether an individual is born with a physical disability of develops it later in life, it is always difficult to endure both emotionally and mentally. In his article, Borges notes that 'the world of the blind is not the night that people imagine.' (Borges 385). However, individuals can be compelled to overcome such physical disabilities out of the individual drive.

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It is essential to note that Borges justifies his take that various individuals can meet their desires and passions despite their physical disabilities. This is done by presenting examples from other authors who indicate the practicality of living with physical disabilities while achieving the desired goals.
Most importantly, Borges employs various quotes derived from several authors to add insights to his arguments. Most of the quotes justify that physical disability, particularly blindness, cannot act as an impediment to the realization of desired goals, especially when the affected individual is willing and determined to work hard. An illustration of Borge's belief is observed through his quotes of the Rudolf Steiner's statement that 'when something ends, we must think that something begins.’

Based on Borges’ line of reasoning, this statement implies that when an individual becomes blind, such a condition can be a chance for the individual to undergo new experiences necessary for personal growth. However, such a statement is often hard to believe because, at the end of something, people tend to think of what has been lost rather than what has been gained. Borges also appreciates that physical disabilities such as blindness can be present in a person's mind regardless of whether it develops gradually or suddenly.

Additionally, Borges also examines how passion could be pursued amidst physical disability by presenting examples from various writers with particular references to blindness as a physical disability. For instance, the positive implication of blindness is portrayed when Borges presents a quote from Socrates asking, 'who can know himself more than a blind man.'

Physical Disability

This case alludes to the fact that physical disability, particularly blindness, can be a blessing to the affected individuals rather than a perceived curse. As such, blindness can often be viewed as an avenue for personal discovery since nothing is often seen to distort his beliefs rather than thoughts and voice (Borges 386). The clear state of mind that emanates from blindness presents how the affected people pursue their passions, thus rendering blindness a gift and evidently a hurdle that can simply be overcome.

It is also essential to note that Borges has mentioned several authors who faced physical disabilities, particularly blindness such as Joyce, Homer, and Milton. It is evident that Borges somehow admires the authors that they significantly influence Borges’ perception of his blindness. Apart from their shared blindness, I think that the authors' most important quality is the belief that blindness can be used as a tool for enhancing poetry instead of the limitations that drag them from attaining their literary destiny.

Most fundamentally, Borges suggests that upon being blind, Milton recalled his initial desires of being a poet. As such, he was then able to perform great works such as the Paradise Lost (Borges 382). The condition surrounding Milton’s blindness enabled him to meditate more on his verses as well as have a detailed and moving description of Samson’s blindness. As such, this helped in the creation of some literary masterpiece. It is essential to appreciate that Samson's work later became praised due to his invention in language use.

Joyce's piece was also praised because of her innovative language use, which was necessitated by the fact that she worked on a single sentence the whole day out of blindness. These several authors are mentioned by Borges to indicate to them how the inconveniences of blindness can be overcome through positivity.

Personal Opinion

In my opinion, maybe Borges alludes to these authors in his work just to overcome various inconveniences that result from physical disabilities, particularly blindness. Borges is also interested in channeling his blindness into some creative energy necessary to enhance his literary ambitions and passions.

It is also important to note that Borges alludes to the fact that all things that happen, including misfortunes, embarrassments, humiliations, are like clay, essential for a person's art. Thus, such occurrences are deemed as things that enable us to transform so that we can make some eternal things from a miserable life. It can be deduced from this statement that Borges is interested in becoming a better author through his condition of blindness.

As such, his physical disability of blindness will permit him to write about some universal lessons about life, such as hope and optimism, as can be deduced from his essay. In addition to speaking of the various theories indicated by several authors, Borges postulates that blindness could be used to one's advantage. Borges also examines the life of a blind writer, Groussac, who he had known personally.

Through the listing of the blind writers such as Joyce, Milton, and Homer, Borges attempts to gain several accolades that can only be compared to all that they had received over the years. Upon the analysis of Borges' essay, it can be deduced that he was aware that he was would be blind. For instance, his immediate family members had gone blind before.

As such, it is possible to conclude that Borges does not feel he has to refer to famous writers for self-confidence because he was already aware that blindness would befall him. It is possible to conclude that perhaps Gorges viewed himself as equal to the other famous blind writers or shared similar passions. Borges' success as a blind writer remains relevant and evident in today's literary arena based on the numerous essays and short stories.

The clear state of mind that emanates from blindness presents the means through which the affected people pursue their passions, thus rendering blindness a gift and evidently a hurdle that can simply be overcome. It is also essential to note that Borges has mentioned several authors who faced physical disabilities, particularly blindness such as Joyce, Homer, and Milton (Borges 384). It is evident that Borges somehow admires the authors that they significantly influence Borges’ perception of his blindness

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is essential to note that regardless of whether an individual is born with a physical disability of develops it later in life, it is always a difficult experience to endure both emotionally and mentally. Borges has mentioned several authors who faced physical disabilities, particularly blindness such as Joyce, Homer, and Milton.

It is evident that Borges somehow admires the authors that they significantly influence Borges’ perception of his blindness. Apart from their shared blindness, I think that the most important quality shared by the authors is the belief that blindness can be used as a tool for enhancing poetry instead of the limitations that drag them from attaining their literary destiny.

Works Cited

Borges, Jorge Luis. “Blindness.” The Art of the Personal Essay. Ed. Phillip Lopate. New York: Anchor Books, 1995. 377-386. Print.