The audiobook "Ensayo sobre la ceguera" explores different perspectives of blindness. From a man suddenly becoming blind and struggling to adapt, to a doctor investigating an epidemic of contagious blindness. Characters face moral dilemmas when confronted with their blindness, while the doctor's wife reminds him that blindness is a personal matter. The story delves into the complexity of consciousness, fear, guilt, morality, and social relations, with characters both dealing with the consequences of their immoral actions and seeking cures for their blindness.
00:00:00 In this section of the transcript from the audiobook "Ensayo sobre la ceguera", we witness a car stopping in the middle of a busy intersection that causes chaos and annoyance among other drivers. The man inside the car is discovered to be blind, although his eyes look healthy. Panic sets in for the blind man as he grapples with his sudden loss of sight, while the people around him try to figure out what to do, and the traffic continues to pile up. A group decides to help the man get home, and as they guide him to a car, the blind man speaks of the thick fog and sea of milk he perceives as his blindness.
00:05:00 In this section, we see a man who has suddenly become blind being helped by a stranger. The blind man is in distress and is being escorted to his home. The stranger helps guide him to his house and even offers to stay with him until his wife comes home. The blind man becomes suspicious of the stranger's kindness and decides not to let him into his home, thinking that he could be a robber.
00:10:00 In this section, a man finds himself in a luminous blindness that devours not only colors but also objects and beings, making them doubly invisible. He is in his own home, recognizing it by its atmosphere, smell, and silence. He moves cautiously to avoid tripping on the furniture and becomes injured by a broken vase. As he reclines on the couch, he falls asleep and dreams of playing the game of imagining blindness. In his dream, he sees the world, but beneath that comforting thought, a doubt grows as to whether he's dreaming or not. He wakes up in a state of indecision about whether to stay in bed or get up.
00:15:00 In this section, we see a man wondering why he is lying down with flowers on his legs and his eyes closed. When he opens his eyes, he discovers that he is blind. Despite the woman's disbelief, he assures her that he cannot see anything. The woman begins to cry and tries to comfort him, telling him that his sight will return. She calls a doctor urgently and begins to treat a cut on his finger. Despite having just become blind, the man asks the woman where she left the car.
00:20:00 section describes the blind man and his wife's encounter with a man who had brought him home. The man had left the keys to the car in his pocket and drove off, leaving the couple stranded. The couple then heads to the doctor's office, the man feeling frustrated and helpless at his new condition, while the wife comforts him. Despite the sounds of the outside world slowly seeping through into his consciousness like a white sheet, the man remains stoic with his wife's support.
00:25:00 In this section, a man who suddenly went blind and his wife arrive at the ophthalmologist's office where they wait with other patients. The man is worried that the longer he waits, the more incurable his blindness will become. When the doctor finally sees them, he asks questions and performs an examination but finds nothing wrong with the man's eyes. The doctor is puzzled and repeats the examination, but still finds nothing.
00:30:00 In this section, the doctor tells the blind man that his eyes are perfectly fine, but he cannot explain his sudden blindness. The doctor orders further tests to determine the cause of his blindness. The blind man asks if there is a cure, but the doctor cannot say for sure since the cause is unknown. Later, a man who offers to help the blind man ends up robbing him, but the narrator ponders whether the man might have acted differently if given the chance to do so. The passage emphasizes the importance of moral conscience even in people with a history of wrongdoing.
00:35:00 In this section, the author discusses the concept of consciousness and how it is often confused with ancestral fears in simple-minded individuals. He also explores the idea that the fear of punishment for wrongdoing is closely related to feelings of guilt and an afflicted consciousness. The section then shifts focus to a car thief who is experiencing a great deal of anxiety from driving a stolen car while obsessing over traffic lights and the fear of being caught by the police. Finally, the author introduces a new character, an old man who has suddenly gone blind and whose case is puzzling to his doctor.
00:40:00 En this section, a doctor discusses a patient who has come to see him with a strange case of blindness. The man is young, only 38 years old, and the doctor is unable to diagnose his condition beyond the fact that he is blind. The doctor considers various possibilities, including psychological blindness or an unusual form of amaurosis, but ultimately feels that he has no solution for the patient. As he researches further, he realizes that there may be variations and mutations of these conditions that have not yet been documented. Despite his frustrations, the doctor remains determined to find a cure.
00:45:00 In this section of the transcript, a man is reading a book on his bed and suddenly becomes scared at the thought of going blind. Shortly after, while rearranging books on a table, he realizes he has gone blind. The story then shifts to a young woman with dark sunglasses who has conjunctivitis and is prescribed a simple remedy by a doctor, though she continues to wear her sunglasses. She is described as potentially being a prostitute, though the complexity of social relations suggests caution when making definitive judgments about her. She lives life as she pleases and enjoys sensual pleasure with a man she is meeting later. The section ends with her contemplating raising her rates for her services.
00:50:00 In this section, we read about two individuals who are dealing with the consequences of their immoral behavior after losing their sight. One is a thief who is escorted home by a compassionate police officer, and the other is a woman who is discovered by hotel guests after screaming in pleasure with her lover. Both of them are humiliated and overwhelmed by their circumstances, and their actions have caused them to face the consequences of their immorality. Meanwhile, the ophthalmologist, who is also blind, deals with his blindness in a more proactive manner, drawing inspiration from Homer to continue fighting.
00:55:00 In this section, the narrator introduces us to the main character, a doctor who has recently suffered from a sudden onset of blindness. Despite his blindness, the doctor still goes to work at the hospital where he begins to investigate a strange new epidemic of contagious blindness. Through his examination of patients, including one man who presents with no obvious underlying condition, the doctor begins to understand the fear and anxiety felt by those who are losing their sight. The doctor's own wife, who is also knowledgeable about medicine, reminds him that blindness is not contagious but a private matter between a person and their own eyes.
The excerpt follows the journey of a group of individuals who have all suddenly become blind and are now quarantined in an asylum due to an epidemic. They struggle with the lack of resources and authority, leading to fights and theft amongst themselves. However, they also find a sense of community as they navigate their way through their new surroundings and learn to identify one another through their mannerisms and barks. The arrival of new quarantine members adds further chaos, but they are eventually welcomed and identified one by one.
01:00:00 In this section, a doctor and his wife discuss what they should do upon realizing that the doctor has possibly been infected with a sudden onset of blindness. The doctor is concerned about the potential epidemic and the need for government authorities to be notified, but his wife is reluctant to believe it is a true epidemic. The doctor eventually decides to try to inform the authorities, but is met with apathy and rudeness by the first official he contacts. In frustration, the doctor and his wife decide to try to bypass the bureaucratic system and contact the director of the hospital.
01:05:00 In this section, we see the doctor and the director of the service discussing the possibility of a contagious blindness. The doctor, who has also gone blind, has a patient's name and address, and the director suggests sending someone to retrieve him for observation. However, when the director calls back later, he reports that a child and two more patients have gone blind, and the situation is becoming serious. The minister of the government gets involved and orders the doctor to remain in his home. The section ends with the doctor receiving one last phone call, and it's clear that something more is about to happen.
01:10:00 In this section, the wife of the minister comes to tell her blindfolded husband that an ambulance is on the way to pick them up, but they don't know where they will be taken. She packs a suitcase for him and herself, including women's clothing, indicating that something unexpected is happening. They eventually get into the ambulance, but the driver tells them that he's only authorized to take the husband due to the orders given. However, the wife tells him that she has just become blind, so the driver takes her in as well. Once at the Ministry, the government's plan to isolate and quarantine all blind people is explained, as there is no cure for the illness that is spreading rapidly. The Minister states that they have a vacant mental institution, abandoned military installations, and a bankrupt supermarket that could serve as quarantine locations. The decision to use the military installation is deemed the most secure, even though it poses a challenging and expensive task to control the patients.
01:15:00 In this section, the committee discusses potential locations to house those affected by the blindness epidemic. The hypermarket and the fair are quickly dismissed due to legal and financial reasons, leaving the committee to consider using the mental asylum. The asylum is deemed the most suitable option due to its location, two rooms for the blind and the infected, and a neutral ground between them. However, concerns are raised about the lack of volunteers to help orient people and the issue of infected individuals becoming blind potentially causing further problems. The section ends with the committee putting the plan into action and swiftly gathering those who have already gone blind and tracing those who may be infected.
01:20:00 In this section, the newly arrived blind individuals who are seeking refuge in a ward accidentally overhear a conversation between the doctor's wife and her husband, who is the ophthalmologist who has seen most of the newly blind individuals before. Meanwhile, a voice from a loudspeaker announces that the government has gathered all of the affected people in one place to limit the spread of the epidemic disease. The government encourages these newly blind individuals to take responsibility for protecting their community by staying isolated in this ward, where they offer basic resources as well as a phone to contact the outside world. Anyone who attempts to leave the building without authorization will be killed, warns the voice from the loudspeaker.
01:25:00 In this section, the rules for the internees are explained. They will organize themselves as they see fit, as long as they follow the rules given. Boxes of food will be delivered three times a day to the patients and those who are possibly infected. All waste must be burned, including leftover food, boxes, and utensils made of combustible material. The burning will take place in the courtyard, and the internees will be responsible for any negative consequences. In the case of any incidents, the internees cannot count on any external intervention. The communication between the infected and non-infected will be through the central body of the building. The doctor recognizes the voice of the little boy, who says that he wants to see his mother, but his words are lifeless and automatic. They are trapped here with no hope of leaving until a cure is found.
01:30:00 In this section, a group of blind individuals find themselves in a hospital ward with little to no supplies and no one coming to their aid. They discuss organizing themselves, but the idea of authority is met with skepticism. One man blames another for their predicament and the situation turns violent, with the other blind individuals attempting to break up the fight. The doctor scolds them for their behavior, warning that they are on the path to turning their current situation into a living hell.
01:35:00 In this section, a group of blind people are discussing the theft of a car and the likelihood of finding it. However, one of the blind men who admits to being the thief taunts the other blind man who lost his car and tells him he has stolen his sight. The situation escalates until they all suddenly feel the urge to urinate and must navigate to the toilet with the help of holding onto each other's shoulders. The first blind man refuses to link arms with the thief, and they eventually form a line with the woman and child going first. The cramped conditions make it difficult for the group to move, and the woman acts as if she is also blind to help them navigate.
01:40:00 In this section, the group of blind individuals continues to wander through the city, guided by the first blind man. They encounter various obstacles and eventually end up at the home of the doctor's wife. The thief in the group attempts to sexually assault the girl with dark glasses but is met with retaliation, causing him to get injured. The group then searches for supplies to tend to the thief's wound and find themselves in the kitchen where they encounter dirty water and no proper medical supplies. The doctor's wife manages to makeshift a bandage for the thief's wound with a dirty cloth, and they all continue their journey in search of safe places to relieve themselves.
01:45:00 In this section, the group of blind people make their way to the restroom as the child among them feared being discovered for wetting his pants. When they arrived, the men entered together and the women waited outside. They discussed their sudden blindness and how it has affected their lives. Later, they found additional restrooms and returned to their beds with the help of a kind doctor's wife. They counted the beds to find their own and the thief among them was given priority in treatment as he had a wounded leg.
01:50:00 In this section, the group of blind individuals continue to navigate their way through their newfound environment. The woman who had been pretending to be blind earlier, was now considering opening her eyes, but was hesitant. She observes the room and begins to think of their situation as if they were a pack of dogs, identifying each other by their barks and mannerisms. The woman becomes worried about the lack of resources they have, and the possibility of a simple injury becoming a tragic event. She contemplates waking up her husband to see if he is still blind, but ultimately decides not to. Meanwhile, the group continues to sleep as one of them, the thief, moans in pain from his infected leg.
01:55:00 In this section of the excerpt, we see the fallout of the man's injury as the woman of the doctor, who desires to be blind too, tends to his wounds. Suddenly, loud noise and shouting from outside the room signal the arrival of more blind people who have been forced into the quarantine. The doctor and his wife try to make them feel welcome, asking them to introduce themselves and find a place to stay in the crowded room. The newcomers are hesitant at first but soon start identifying themselves one by one.
This video summarizes various sections of the audiobook "Ensayo sobre la ceguera." The sections cover different experiences of the blind population quarantined in a government facility. Some sections cover the tensions that arise among the blind community due to limited resources, illness, and fear of the soldiers who guard them. Other sections explore the group's strategies for survival, including organizing themselves to remove corpses, dealing with hunger, and dividing tasks effectively. Despite the bleak circumstances, the audiobook is a poignant mediation on the complexities of human nature and our capacity for both kindness and cruelty in the face of adversity.
02:00:00 In this section, the newly blind residents of the quarantine begin to form connections and alliances based on their shared experiences. However, some of these connections remain unnoticed, since people haven't had the opportunity to share their stories with each other. Meanwhile, a voice on the loudspeaker announces the arrival of food and sanitation supplies, and the blind residents begin to converge to collect them. The video also highlights the complex emotions experienced by the characters, as joy and sadness can coexist in unexpected ways.
02:05:00 In this section, the doctor and his wife are in the quarantine area with a group of others who are also blind. The doctor realizes that he is the only medical professional among them, so when one of the group is injured and develops an infection, he decides to do what he can to help. However, when they try to leave to get medical supplies, they are met with resistance from the soldiers guarding the area. The doctor tries to reason with them, but ultimately they are not allowed to leave and have to rely on the limited supplies they have. Meanwhile, some of the group are struggling with the lack of proper food and supplies, and tensions are starting to rise.
02:10:00 In this section, the group of blind individuals continue to navigate their way through their newfound blindness. As time passes, they begin to realize that their blindness may not just be a temporary affair. Meanwhile, the arrival of three new blind individuals, including the woman from the medical clinic and the man who was with the naked girl at the hotel, stirs up emotions and tensions among the group. As they sit in wait, they hear the chaotic sounds of an approaching group of people, signaling that the promised apocalypse has arrived. The woman from the medical clinic whispers to her husband that the promised hell is starting and he urges her to stay close.
02:15:00 In this section, chaos ensues as a large group of blind people are herded into a small room with beds. After some injuries and confusion, each person manages to claim a bed, leaving only one person without a place to rest. The calmness is disrupted by the announcements from the government through the crackling loudspeaker, which fails to calm the frantic group. The protagonist of the story contemplates the problems of hygiene and the likelihood of them being released soon. All this while feeling the discomfort of a three-day-old beard, but he decides that it is better not to risk injury to himself or others by attempting to shave.
02:20:00 In this section of the audiobook "Ensayo sobre la ceguera", the group of blind people are forced to spend the night in a government facility with scarce resources. The lack of food, light and hygiene causes tensions to rise among the group, with some resorting to stealing and others falling ill. The woman of the doctor visits an ill patient and discovers the alarming state of his injury. The mood is grim as the blind individuals try to sleep in a room lit by just three dirty bulbs, with some covering their heads with blankets as if to escape the darkness that has replaced their vision. The situation is dire and hopeless, causing the thief to contemplate his own mortality.
02:25:00 In this section of the transcription, we see the main character attempting to escape the quarantine zone. Despite his injured leg, he drags himself out of bed and slowly makes his way towards the exit, avoiding the sleeping bodies of his fellow victims. As he climbs down the stairs, he grapples with his conscience over the fact that he had stolen a car from another blind man, but his focus remains on getting out of the quarantine zone. He manages to make it outside but struggles to maneuver down the steps.
02:30:00 In this section, a man who had been dragging himself with an injured leg finally reaches the gate of the mental hospital he had been trying to find. Despite the pain, he managed to hold onto the rope that led to the gate and found a way to move himself towards it without damaging his wound further. As he approaches the gate, a soldier guarding the hospital mistakenly takes him for an intruder and shoots at him. The commotion draws the attention of other soldiers and patients in the hospital.
02:35:00 In this section, soldiers are shown shooting at a group of blind people and killing one of them in the process. The soldiers proceed to order a few blind people to move the corpse, but only six volunteers come forward to do it, despite orders for four. The lack of burial tools forces the group to search for something to use, with the only object found being a small iron bar. As they plan how they will bury the deceased, the author contemplates the idea that good and bad consequences are distributed throughout the infinite days of the future. The group tries to leave the building to find a shovel but is stopped by a soldier who fires a warning shot, causing them to retreat.
02:40:00 In this section of the transcript, a military sergeant who came to replace a blind colleague contemplates the best way to bury a body without contaminating the atmosphere, ultimately deciding to follow safety precautions by having two soldiers with gas masks pour ammonia onto the body. Meanwhile, the wife of the doctor reminds the sergeant that there are more than 50 people in their section alone who haven't received sufficient food. Amidst the chaos, the blind doctor's wife picks up an ax and walks in a straight line without guidance, while a group of people attempt to dig a grave but can only make it three feet deep. Though some suggest putting a cross at the grave, they ultimately decide against it as there is no way to predict how long it will stay up in the chaotic setting.
02:45:00 In this section, we read about the characters' experiences as they navigate their blindness. The doctor's wife is able to move around adeptly, without having to count beds to find her own. Meanwhile, the strabismic child is constantly hungry and misses his mother, despite the girl with dark glasses selflessly giving him her food. In the absence of breakfast, many blind people gather in the hall to wait for the delivery of food, but soldiers delivering it flee in terror upon seeing them. The soldiers begin firing their weapons, and the blind are killed and injured, with the soldiers fearing for their lives. One of the frightened soldiers declares that he will never return to that place, even if it means death.
02:50:00 In this section, the soldiers have repressed a sedition movement and caused a lot of casualties among the blind people. Later that evening, when the food is delivered, the soldiers decide to leave it halfway to make the inmates come for the food, warning them that any attempt to alter the order would have consequences as it happened that evening. When the blind try to get the food, they see the pile of bodies covered in blood, however, their hunger takes over and they start moving toward the boxes of food. A liquid from one of them spills, and the blind contemplate the chance of drinking milk that, for them, has been an impossible luxury. A group of them gets close to the boxes of food, and while they are stretching their arms to reach them, they encounter a few people that made them feel like the spirits of the dead began to rise again, now malicious because of the soldiers' actions.
02:55:00 In this section, the blind population in the quarantine begin to deal with the dead bodies. They quickly organize themselves to remove the corpses from the area and distribute the boxes of food that were left. Despite their difficulties in movement, they manage to divide tasks effectively among themselves. The occupants of both the first and second rooms gather to decide what to do with the dead bodies. The dead included five individuals: the doctor's wife, a taxi driver, and two police officers. The blind population tries to decide whether to bury the dead first or eat before the act. The rations of food come in individual portions, but the anxiety of some of the less level-headed blind individuals complicates the distribution of it. Despite some dishonest actions, the doctor's wife manages to diffuse the situation and prevent further chaos.
The video describes the haphazard and chaotic living environment of blind individuals residing in a quarantine zone. The blind individuals struggle to distribute scarce food resources amongst themselves with violent confrontations arising. They debate on the need for organization and select leaders to establish rules of cohabitation. Despite the challenges, bonds are formed among the blind individuals who share their experiences and listen intently to a radio for news and entertainment. The blind individuals are shown to be capable of developing a mental state and a sense of social responsibility through adherence to cleanliness regulations and a shared doctrine of living like humans, not animals.
03:00:00 In this section, the woman of the doctor realizes that he is abusing his power by favoring her over the other blind inmates with crucial information. However, she chooses not to speak out as she fears the consequences of being ostracized or worse, being enslaved. The doctor later convinces the men from his ward to accompany him and his wife to the enclosure to bury the bodies. The blind individuals maintain a sense of light throughout all times –sunshine or twilight, thus cataract is not living a mundane life engulfed by darkness, but rather encircled with a dazzling light. At the burial site, the group decides to bury only four of the ‘unclaimed’ bodies by chance, which happen to be the same four bodies of the individuals that they were speaking about burying earlier. Three men from the third ward offer to help dig the graves only after it's dark outside, revealing the psychological difference between burying someone in sunlight versus under the cover of darkness. There was initially no reference made to the shooting that occurred nor was the pitiful promise of providing three meals a day given importance as it sounded more like irony instead.
03:05:00 In this section, the doctor is with a group of blind people who are isolated in a quarantine zone. The doctor overhears a conversation between the others about the burial of their dead and the rationing of their scarce food resources. He then struggles to find the latrines, finally finding them and trying to use them without realizing it is occupied. Feeling disgusted and humiliated, he cries in silence afterward. The doctor's wife helps him to clean up later, and she acknowledges that they all will eventually smell bad due to their dire situation.
03:10:00 In this section, the ceguera-infected individuals in the quarantine room are described in their early hours of wakefulness. Some awoke from the growling of their stomachs while others were awakened by impatient early risers. A noticeable theme throughout the quarantine is tension and impatience with each other. The passage then shifts to the woman of the doctor who breaks down in tears due to an un-wound clock, causing her husband to briefly suspect she had gone blind. The girl with dark glasses then enters the room, offering comfort to the woman. During their interaction, the girl notes the woman's eye beauty, but comments on it being pointless as there is no one else to see the eyes.
03:15:00 In this section, the characters debate the issue of salvation and guilt as they are forced to confront the harsh realities brought about by their blindness. The focus falls on the girl with the dark glasses, who speaks of their imminent, inevitable death and her personal guilt for having killed someone. Meanwhile, the other characters argue about the dangers of venturing outside and the need for food, which raises questions of distribution and fairness. The conversation concludes with a sense of despair and uncertainty about the future, underscored by the disorganized, chaotic distribution of food.
03:20:00 In this section of the video, the inmates in quarantine discuss how to distribute the limited food among themselves. They suggest various methods, while some fear that someone might get more food than others. Finally, an announcement comes over the loudspeaker, allowing the inmates to collect their food. While trying to collect food, the ciegos encounter numerous obstacles, such as misplaced food boxes, and their blindness makes them crawl around the floor like animals. The soldiers guarding them find their attempts amusing, which only adds to the fear and desperation of the prisoners.
03:25:00 In this section, chaos erupts as the blind people fighting for food become violent towards each other. One leader suggests that the only solution is to get rid of the greedy and undeserving, much like cutting off a gangrenous limb to save the body. Soldiers distribute food while pointing guns, leaving some blind individuals without any sustenance. The fear and desperation lead the blind, hungry individuals to turn on each other, fighting for food with vehement aggression. The scene is hectic as the blind individuals struggle for their survival, with only a thin rope lighting the way in the chaos.
03:30:00 In this section, the ciegos (blind people) in the quarantine have found themselves in a precarious situation as the food supplies have been stolen by some of their own. They decide to divide the remaining boxes equally among the rooms and form a committee to investigate the theft. However, they later realize that the thieves have not entered the rooms and must be hiding elsewhere with the stolen food. The ciegos then debate on whether to await the return of the thieves or to eat first. As they eat, they realize that the stolen food is being enjoyed elsewhere, and they discuss their current situation, finding that being blind in the quarantine is better than being blind and alone in the outside world.
03:35:00 this section, a group of blind people have been brought together and are discussing the need for organization in their new communal living situation. They discuss the importance of selecting disciplined individuals to lead the group, establishing rules of cohabitation, and completing basic tasks such as cleaning and ordering their living space. Suddenly, gunshots are heard outside and panic ensues. The military has been called to control the situation and there is talk of killing the blind in order to keep order. However, the situation takes a turn when one of the military leaders goes blind himself and commits suicide. Eventually, the blind people are herded into the building in chaotic fashion and are given basic instructions to find their room.
03:40:00 In this section of the video, we see the chaos and confusion that ensues as a large group of blind people are herded into an old building. The soldiers in charge struggle to keep order and find suitable accommodation for the arrivals. There are fights and arguments between those who have already been quarantined in the building and those who are newly arrived. Eventually, the soldiers manage to calm the situation, but not before some people are injured and a sense of fear and unease settles over everyone.
03:45:00 In this section of the video, the chaos and violence at the entrance of the blind ward continue, with newly arrived blind people scrambling for a place to stay and chaos breaking out near the entrance to the left wing when it is revealed that all the rooms are full. Amidst the confusion, an old man without any belongings patiently stays with the dead bodies, waiting for the chaos to subside. Eventually, the influx of blind people leads to some stability, with the arrival of food and a sense of permanence settling in. Despite this, there are still around 20 people forced to sleep on the floor due to lack of space.
03:50:00 In this section, the authorities have changed their procedures to bring food and supplies to the blind population in a timely and adequate manner, although it is not without conflicts, given the sheer number of people affected. Some individuals are still searching for lost loved ones or personal belongings. Despite these challenges, the announcement of meal distribution brings comfort to everyone. The mental state and a sense of social responsibility has slowly been developing among the blind population, as evidenced by the adherence to hygiene and cleanliness regulations. Moreover, a blind woman's exhortations to not live like animals, but rather as humans, became a maxim in a doctrine, which further helped foster a sense of community among the blind.
03:55:00 In this section of the transcript excerpt, a group of blind individuals are gathered together and sharing their experiences. They discuss their fear of the violence and chaos happening outside due to the blindness epidemic. The group listens to a radio for news and entertainment, but the batteries are running low. The radio plays a song and the group listens intently, some even shedding tears. The group shares memories and introductions, forming a sense of community among those who cannot see.
The audiobook, "Ensayo sobre la ceguera," describes the devastating effects of a blindness epidemic on society. The government initially denies that it is an epidemic, instead calling it a coincidence of circumstances, but eventually is forced to admit the severity of the situation. As a result, the living conditions of the blind become dire, causing panic and health issues. The blind individuals band together to try to survive, but chaos ensues when they are held captive and robbed of their food and supplies. Amidst the turmoil, the importance of human connection and communication is highlighted, as the blind struggle to navigate this new, dark world.
04:00:00 In this section, a group of blind people are gathered together with a doctor and an old man with a black bandage. The old man tells the group what he knows about the epidemic and how it has affected the people. The government denies it is an epidemic and instead explains it as a coincidence of circumstances. They try to console the people with expressions of hope, but soon it is revealed that the situation is much worse than anticipated, and the authorities scramble to devise a plan of action. Meetings are held to discuss the issue, but with no resolution in sight. The water metaphor is used to describe how the epidemic spreads insidiously, gradually inundating everything in its path.
04:05:00 In this section, we see the progression of the blindness epidemic and its effect on society. At first, media outlets were reporting on the sudden onset of blindness in individuals, but as it became more widespread, the government tried to contain it by isolating those affected. Eventually, this was deemed impossible and families with one blind member quickly became completely blind. The government then had to revise its policies and open up more spaces for the blind to stay. Charitable organizations initially offered to help care for the blind in makeshift facilities, but volunteers quickly became blind themselves. The situation became chaotic with transportation accidents and people becoming blind in the streets. The government had to backtrack its policies and find new solutions to accommodate the growing number of blind people.
04:10:00 In this section, the consequences of the blindness epidemic become dire as people stop using buses and cars for fear of accidents caused by blind drivers. Even an airplane crashes due to the blindness of both pilots. The city becomes eerily quiet with no sound of engines or wheels. Those who are blind struggle to navigate a landscape filled with abandoned vehicles, often tripping and falling. The scene is particularly bleak, and a group decides to play a game where they describe what they saw last before going blind.
04:15:00 In this section, a group of blind people share their last memories of being able to see. One man lost his sight while looking at his own blind eye, while a woman's last memory was of crying with a handkerchief pressed against her face. A hotel maid was making someone's bed when everything turned white, and a voice only remembered seeing a painting of a field with crows, a dog, a woman and a child. The group discusses their fading memories as the last flicker of sight slowly disappears from their minds.
04:20:00 In this section, the excerpt describes the conditions of the blind in the quarantine. The fear of the unknown and the lack of information about what is happening outside the quarantine is causing panic among the blind. The living conditions in the quarantine are dire, with the lack of clean living spaces and the use of the surroundings as a restroom, causing disgust and health issues. The excerpt also touches on the importance of human connection and communication, which is limited due to the blindness of the inhabitants.
04:25:00 In this section, we see the woman of the doctor struggling with the idea of revealing that she can see. She contemplates how she could inform the others without causing chaos or becoming a slave to their needs. The description of the environment in which these blind individuals are living is distressing, with the stench of feces, urine, and unwashed bodies overwhelming her senses. The woman realizes that the task of taking care of all these people is too much for one person, and her initial bravery is crumbling. She understands that the ceguera has turned these people into something far worse than animals - something even more dangerous.
04:30:00 In this section of the audiobook "Ensayo sobre la ceguera," the group of blind people establishes a system for distributing food. However, their orderly routine is disrupted when soldiers rob them of their food, claiming that they have to pay for it. The blind people become enraged and consider banding together to demand their food back, but the woman of the group realizes that negotiating with the armed soldiers is fruitless. In the end, the group is left to ponder how they will survive when their basic needs are not met.
04:35:00 In this section, chaos ensues as the blind inmates fight for their daily rations. Amidst the uproar, a woman begs for help from passersby but is ignored. A group of blind individuals, led by a man with a gun, takes control of the situation, announcing that they would be in charge of food distribution from then on. They order everyone to return to their wards and send two representatives from each ward to collect all valuables like jewelry, money, and watches, promising that it would determine their food intake. Anyone who tries to trick them would be penalized by not receiving any food.
04:40:00 In this section, a group of blind people are being held captive and extorted for food and supplies by a group of armed bandits outside. In order to organize themselves and distribute food and supplies fairly, they establish a system of sharing according to each person's ability to give and their individual needs. They also designate a leader to oversee the distribution. As they begin the collection process, one woman hesitates as she finds herself inexplicably fixated on a pair of scissors that she had forgotten were in her bag. Despite her unease, the collection continues and they gather what they have to offer, including personal items like jewelry and watches, to be distributed among themselves.
04:45:00 In this section, the group of blind individuals continue to gather and give up their possessions, including money and jewelry, to the thieves that have taken control of their quarantine. As they approach the third room to pay for their meals, they discuss their situation and the possibility of things getting worse. The doctor contemplates the idea that something needs to change, but is unsure if things will indeed get better. As they hear voices from the previous room, they stop to wait and listen.
04:50:00 In this section, the doctor and the first blind man walk through the quarantine ward to the food exchange. They hear the thieves discussing their loot and the doctor realizes that there is someone who is able to write in Braille, suggesting the possibility that not all the inhabitants are blind. The thieves take the food and the doctor is held at gunpoint but he manages to avoid confrontation, and they safely leave with their food. The doctor regrets not attempting to disarm the thief and acknowledges that the thief was more blind than he was.
04:55:00 In this section, the group's representatives were blamed for not demanding more food for the community, but the doctor explained the incident and mentioned the gun-toting blind man. The conversation then turned to the value of various possessions, and the wise old man with the black eye patch decided that his portable radio was too valuable to trade for food, as it may have been important for keeping up with any news. The group listened to the radio and shared the news, including one pivotal moment where they all heard the broadcaster announce that he had gone blind.
Throughout “Blindness" by José Saramago, we follow a group of blind individuals as they struggle to survive in a quarantined ward. In this summary of various sections of the audiobook, we see the many dilemmas faced by the characters, including individual choices, brutal violence, and struggles for resources such as food and sex. The story explores the themes of power and dehumanization, showing how people, even in a shared time of suffering, can treat others inhumanely when given power over them. The scenes are disturbingly graphic, highlighting the consequences of such behavior while pointing to the importance of moral integrity and shared responsibility for the well-being of all.
05:00:00 In this section, the radio transmission suddenly stops after a chaotic sequence of noises and exclamations. The old man with the black blindfold is left alone with his thoughts, mourning the loss of the voice that he had been listening to. Meanwhile, the majority of the other blind characters have fallen asleep, finding comfort in the routine of daily food rations. However, the woman of the doctor, who can still see, is awake and contemplating the value of her sight, wondering if it serves any purpose in this new world of blindness. She contemplates using the scissors she brought to cut her husband's beard, but ultimately decides against it.
05:05:00 In this section, the woman of the doctor sees a blind woman sitting on a bed, staring blankly at the wall. She contemplates touching the invisible thread that seems to be surrounding the blind woman, but ultimately decides not to. As she continues down the hallway, she encounters other blind individuals who are occupying various positions around the facility. She stops briefly to watch a couple in a sexual act, feeling a sense of sympathy, and continues towards the door leading outside. Looking out, she sees a soldier guarding the area, and beyond him, the rest of the world engulfed in darkness. She settles on the ground by the door, experiencing a sense of loneliness and despair, while contemplating her thoughts.
05:10:00 In this section, the soldier approaches a woman sitting on the ground with her arms around her legs and chin resting on her knees. He points his flashlight at her, but when he tries to aim his gun as a precautionary measure, the bright light temporarily blinds him, and the woman disappears by the time his vision returns. Meanwhile, the doctor's wife carefully avoids the guards with their batons, making her way to a blind man who appears to be less fortunate than others when it comes to sleep. The man is startled when he senses her presence but doesn't react aggressively, and the two engage in a brief conversation, during which the doctor's wife realizes that the blind man's eyes look different from the other cataract-stricken individuals in the facility. The blind man also questions if there's anyone else around, to which the doctor's wife replies that she doesn't think so.
05:15:00 In this section, the scene shifts to the sleeping quarters of the blind people, where one of the blind men is sitting on the edge of his bed, apparently waiting for everyone else to fall asleep before getting up to do something. The woman who had joined the group earlier counts everyone in the room and notes that there are at least 20 people present. She then observes a blind man asleep with his head resting against the doorframe and another couple sleeping with their entwined hands. Meanwhile, back in the hallway, the blind man responsible for keeping accounts of the illegal profits made by the evil people who run the institution wonders how the people on the other side of the wall are doing. He would later remark on the squalor and shortages of food and sanitation that the people on his side of the wall faced.
05:20:00 In this section, the excerpt describes the inhumane quarantine that the blind people are being held in. The blind not only have to collect their food from the dirty floor but are also suffering from various health issues with no medical aid available. The excerpt mentions the presence of the advanced stage of cancer in two of the blind people, and authorities did not show any humanitarian considerations to capture them. Moreover, the excerpt details the struggle for food and how the encargados would return with minimal rations, causing furious protests. The excerpt also showcases attempts of collective action, which were put down by violence, including garroting and gun violence.
05:25:00 In this section, the excerpt describes the aftermath of the gunshot warning that the group of insurrectionist ciegos received. The group was punished with a three-day fast, and during that time, they had to beg for food from other ciegos who were not part of the revolt. After the three days, they were left with very little food, and some ciegos suspected that some of the others were not being honest about how much they had contributed. This led to arguments and some violence, but ultimately no significant punishment was dished out, with just some insults and slaps thrown around. The malvados who punished the insurrectionists ultimately forgot about their threats and moved on to other things.
05:30:00 In this section, the excerpt describes the new injustices that arise in the city of blind people. Two rooms were created to conceal the crime of detention, which charged innocent rooms with untrue crimes. The crip accountant Freddy saved both the innocent and the guilty by documenting the new contributions in one sheet of paper separately. The sons of the first blind man demanded woman, and when the emisaries didn't make it happen, they were not given food. The women in the two salas were morally outraged and declared that they would not pay for the food of the men that wanted women, calling them chulos, proxenetas, vampiros and explotadores. The men, who were cornered by their own trap, were too embarrassed to defend themselves when the women asked them what they would do if the roles were reversed.
05:35:00 In this section, a group of women engage in a verbal confrontation over the idea of submitting themselves to strangers in order to gain food. The first blind man argues that his wife will not submit to such humiliation, while the others question how he can claim to have dignity in their current state. The women suggest that perhaps only the men should offer themselves up and leave their wives out of it, but the issue remains unresolved. The woman who ultimately speaks up and decides to offer herself is the wife of the first blind man, who surprises everyone by suddenly laughing and then breaking into tears. The scene highlights the difficult choices and ethical dilemmas faced by those struggling to survive in a world without sight.
05:40:00 In this section, the method of rotating the wings in the blind ward is discussed. The men and women have decided to start with what is closest, namely the women from the same wing. The application of this method has many advantages, such as allowing the individual to know at any moment what they have done and what still needs to be done. Additionally, when the rotation of wings is complete, there will be a unique sense of novelty upon the return to the first wing. The women within the right-wing are said to be double-rested, given the newfound sensual appetites that have been exacerbated by the impending humiliation. Ultimately, though, the reader is left to ponder how the discrepancy in the number of men and women was resolved within one particular wing.
05:45:00 In this section, a woman who is blind observes the intimate actions of a doctor and a woman with dark glasses. She does not question or reveal what she has witnessed, realizing that some things are better left unexplained. The doctor's wife also observes without interruption, and later whispers to the woman with dark glasses that she knows about the affair. They share a solemn conversation, as the doctor remains seemingly unaware of their dialogue. The scene ends with the doctor leaving the room, appearing lost and uncertain of his surroundings.
05:50:00 In this section, the women in the room are faced with a terrifying situation when three blind men come to their door looking for women to satisfy their sexual desires in exchange for food. The women are understandably scared and prepared to fight back. They form a line and are led by the doctor's wife as they venture out into the unknown, walking on the dirty floor with no shoes. Despite the fear, they are determined to keep moving forward and take whatever comes their way in hopes of finding a better life outside of the quarantine. They finally come across a blind man standing guard at the end of a corridor.
05:55:00 In this section, we witness a disturbing scene in the novel "Blindness" by José Saramago where a group of blind men invade a quarantine ward occupied by several women. They grope and molest the women, with the leader of the group using his pistol to threaten and control them. The women are left powerless and terrified while the blind men exploit their vulnerability. The scene is graphic and disturbing, highlighting the dehumanizing effects of power, even in a situation where all parties are vulnerable due to their shared affliction of blindness.
The audiobook "Ensayo sobre la ceguera" depicts a world in which a group of blind people are quarantined together, facing food shortages and the threat of violence from both their captors and each other. Chapters cover various events such as women being held captive and raped, the doctor's wife attempting to kill the man in charge, the blind people discussing the importance of fighting for their rights, and the group attempting to break through barricades while trying to survive. The story is a reminder of the horrors of human cruelty and the loss of dignity when faced with devastating circumstances.
06:00:00 this section, the women who were held captive are released by the evil blind group. They are carried out by their companions, who are barely standing themselves. The women have been humiliated and abused, and the doctor's wife is found dead. The doctor asks how she died, but the woman who carried her out doesn't answer. The doctor's wife is laid in the bed of the woman who helped her escape, and the group is reminded that they are no longer the same women who went in. The doctor's wife's death is a reminder of the horrors that they have all witnessed and experienced.
06:05:00 In this section, the wives of the doctor and the old man were left alone without food when their husbands were chosen to represent the ward in collecting food. They couldn't understand why their husbands had to be the ones because they were married men who would have to defend their honor. Meanwhile, the doctor's wife went looking for water and found herself in a room full of blind people, but she managed to fill a plastic bag with water. As she was about to leave, the water spilled, and the blind people thought a pipe had burst, but the woman escaped. When the rapists returned to demand tribute from the women of the second ward, they asked about the women of the first ward who had been sexually assaulted the night before. One of the rapists remarked that the seven women were worth 14 because they are in a state of panic, and the other one agreed.
06:10:00 In this section of the transcript, a group of men arrive to rape and violate the women in the quarantine facility. The women are terrified and humiliated, knowing that they are all destined to suffer the same fate. The woman of the doctor's wife is among the women, having been raped by three men prior to this event. She walks around the facility, following the women as they are taken to the room where the men await them. The scene is disturbing, with the women crying and pleading while the men are forcing themselves upon them. The woman of the doctor's wife contemplates killing the man in charge, who is engrossed in the assault.
06:15:00 In this section of the transcript, the scene shifts to the bedroom where the doctor's wife approaches the blind man with a pair of scissors, intending to kill him. The blind man is too lost in the pleasure of the moment to realize what is happening until he is fatally stabbed in the throat. Chaos ensues as the other blind people in the quarantine ward react to the commotion, and a struggle for power ensues among them. The doctor's wife manages to escape in the melee, wielding her scissors, and the blind people are left fighting amongst themselves.
06:20:00 In this section, a group of blind people are being held captive by another group, who are threatening to kill them unless they give up their food. The tension escalates as the captors become more violent and some of the captives fight back. One woman in particular takes matters into her own hands and kills one of the captors with a pair of scissors. The situation continues to spiral out of control as the groups become increasingly aggressive towards each other. The woman who killed the captor is racked with guilt but knows that she will kill again if necessary. Finally, her husband arrives and the group receives news of events unfolding in the other part of the city.
06:25:00 In this section, the group of blind people, who have been quarantined in a building, are facing a severe food shortage. Despite their efforts to inquire about the delay in food delivery, they are given no answers. One of them suggests taking justice into their own hands and finding the person who killed their leader to make them pay for their crime. The woman who killed him feels guilty and considers turning herself in, but her fear of being executed for her crime prevents her from doing so. The group is desperate and feels that their only option is to venture out into the outside world to seek food, but they are afraid of what dangers they may face.
06:30:00 In this section, a group of blind people discuss their situation in the infirmary where they are imprisoned. The old man with the black bandage threatens to kill anyone who reports him. They debate the concept of shame and dignity and the importance of fighting for their rights. One woman who had previously been attacked by a man speaks up, announcing that the women will join the men in their revolt against their oppressors. As they leave, the speaker's voice blares out of the intercom, announcing that the government is exercising power over them, causing unease among the prisoners. The future remains uncertain as their rebellion hangs in the balance.
06:35:00 In this section, the government informs the population of a possible epidemic of temporary blindness and stresses the importance of limiting its spread. To this end, they have gathered those affected in one location and those who had contact with them in another nearby but separate place. The government urges citizens to act responsibly and help limit the spread of the disease. They have issued several rules to maintain order, including the wearing of hygiene products, burning all waste, electing responsible room leaders, and burying dead bodies without formalities. The people in the building rely on one another for communication and must await the return of the sun to resume their daily routines.
06:40:00 In this section of the transcript, the group of blind people who are trapped together are discussing their plans for food and survival. They decide to try and get food from outside, but only a few are willing to risk venturing out due to the dangers they will face. The group ultimately ends up with 17 people, including the doctor's wife, and they line up in the hallway to begin their mission. The group is aware of their limited resources and weapons, but they are determined to stay together and fight for their survival.
06:45:00 In this section, a group of six individuals - including a doctor, pharmacist, and a woman with dark glasses - are planning a sneak attack against those who have taken control of the asylum. The group is armed with bedframes as weapons and must move in silence for the element of surprise. The discussion turns to the history of burying the dead with cardboard shoes, and the importance of not separating during the attack. Despite the darkness, the group moves forward while some individuals who were listening at the doors join the fight. However, they realize too late that there are now eight barricades blocking their way.
06:50:00 In this section, a group of blind people attempt to break through a barricade made of dirty mattresses and blankets. As they push against the barricade, a blind accountant shoots three of them, causing chaos and more screaming. Four volunteers crawl towards the injured, but as they do, one of the old men had an idea - those who remained behind should speak loudly to cover the noise of those crawling towards the injured. Soon they arrived and began helping the wounded.
06:55:00 In this section, the group of blinded people has retreated to the safety of the building and is trying to survive. They are now barricaded inside, shooting at anyone who gets too close, and the leadership has been taken over by the blind accountant. However, the more they use their bullets, the less authority he has. Meanwhile, one of the women has had enough of pretending to be blind and confesses that she can see. She identifies the two corpses on the floor and reveals the identities of the killers. Some of the group suspects them already, but others are indifferent. The sense of hopelessness pervades the group as they acknowledge that they are living in a world where there is no hope, no salvation, and no escape.
The book "Ensayo sobre la ceguera" demonstrates the harsh and desolate reality of a city where blindness has taken over. In this section, hunger has led people to risk everything to find food, with one woman risking her own life by setting fire to a neighboring room in the prison where the strong were hoarding food and water. The blind inmates struggle to escape as poorly designed buildings become deadly traps amid the chaos, leading to injuries and panic. Despite the hardship, hope still exists, with some people believing there might be a cure for blindness. However, the main concern is finding food and shelter, as even a grocery store or a dark basement becomes a necessity driven by hunger.
07:00:00 In this section, chaos and despair reign in the prison as the blind inmates are left defenseless with no beds to sleep on and no protection from the outside world. Hunger and fear keep everyone from sleeping, but some are more restless than others. One woman, who had hidden an object in her pocket, retrieves a lighter from her bag and begins to set fire to the beds in the neighboring room where the strong are hoarding their food and water. The woman risks her own life in the hope of obtaining a bit of food and revenge against those who have mistreated her.
07:05:00 In this section, we see how the fire spreads quickly in the asylum, hospital, and mental institution, and how the ciegos are struggling to escape the inferno. The poorly organized and designed buildings with just one door in each room and many ciegos forced to sleep on the floor are proving to be deadly traps. The panic is causing individuals to push and shove, leading to injuries, but some ciegos manage to escape to the interior fence gardens. The story brings to light the contradictions of human nature - the bad things that bring about the good. The ciegos' rooms' single doors prove to be a double-edged sword, it's good that the fires slow down there, but they also prove to be a prescriptive trap.
07:10:00 In this section, the woman of the doctor suggests that she speaks with the soldiers, believing that they also have feelings and won't let them all die. The soldiers miraculously let the woman and her group pass, leading them through the smoke and destroyed doors to find that the soldiers, too, were blind. Chaos ensues as they all run towards the open gate, and in the process, some are crushed, and others become left behind. Once they escape, they find refuge in the outland of the city, where they huddle together, unsure of their next step. Some begin to question whether the epidemic has ended or if the cure has been found. Exhausted and powerless, many lay down on the ground, waiting for the dawn, hoping to be rescued.
07:15:00 In this section, the group of blind people who have survived so far are exhausted and tired, with some of them collapsing before reaching their goal, while others don't even understand the reality of their situation. Despite all their hardships, hope still glimmers when some people believe that there might be a cure for their blindness. However, they quickly realize that the only hope they have is to find their way back to their homes and families, which is complicated in their current state. The rain starts to fall, and the woman leading the group decides to find shelter and food quickly before the rest of the group becomes too weak to continue.
07:20:00 In this section, a group of blind people are found sleeping on the floor of a store. The woman with the doctor realizes that everyone in the city is blind and begins to understand the chaos and confusion this has caused. The group of blind people explains that they must stick together to find food as they cannot see their way around the city, nor do they have a safe place to stay. They explain that living in a grocery store is the only long-term solution to their problem, however, the smell of the food they cook will give away their location and draw others towards them, which could lead to conflict.
07:25:00 quejas, sólo el silencio y la oscuridad reinan. En esta sección del libro, se retrata la situación cruda y desoladora de la ciudad en la que los habitantes se han quedado completamente ciegos. Ante la escasez de alimentos, las tiendas son saqueadas y todo aquel que tiene hambre está dispuesto a arriesgar todo por conseguir algo de comida. La mujer del médico, quien todavía no ha perdido la vista, se adentra sola en las calles en busca de comida para ella y su esposo. A pesar del peligro y la incertidumbre, ella sabe que no puede fallarles. La desesperación y el abandono se sienten en cada palabra, pero también se transmite la fuerza y determinación de una mujer que lucha por sobrevivir en un mundo en el que la ceguera es lo único que ha quedado.
07:30:00 In this section, the woman of the doctor searches for food in a supermarket but finds empty shelves and broken showcases. She comes across a group of blind people who are also searching for food and one of them has a piece of glass embedded in his knee. The woman sees a closed door that she thinks leads to the storeroom with more food and heads towards it. She discovers that it is an elevator and finds herself struggling with the decision to take it down to the basement in complete darkness, enticed by the possibility of finding food that is not out in the open. The hunger of the people drives them to search for food in any way possible, even in the darkest and most dangerous places.
07:35:00 In this section of the transcript, we see the main character navigating through a dark and unfamiliar space while dealing with her newfound blindness. She collects plastic bags to carry food and tries her best to remember her route. She battles feelings of fear and uncertainty but eventually finds a metal shelf and starts to explore further. Though she struggles to find the food she needs, she remains determined to continue on and not allow her blindness to defeat her.
07:40:00 In this section, the woman of the doctor finds a stash of matches and other supplies that she fills her bags with. She can't help but indulge in some of the food that she's found, which makes her feel guilty but also stronger. As she leaves the warehouse, she contemplates warning the other blind people of the food inside but feels that it would be unsafe, as it would attract far too many people. She runs back to her group, trampling on her fellow blind people in the process, which may seem harsh, but she was desperate to get back to safety.
07:45:00 In this section, a woman carrying plastic bags is walking through a flooded street with garbage and human and animal excrement. The rain is pouring, and there are abandoned cars and trucks blocking the road, with blind people standing around with their mouths open, drinking in the rain. The woman gets lost, sits down on the dirty, muddy ground, and breaks down in tears. Dogs surround her, and one licks her tears away. She eventually finds a city map and, with the help of a dog who accompanies her, goes into a store with several blind people lying on the ground. She is the first to stand up and brings food for everyone but locks the door so no one outside can hear.
07:50:00 In this section, the group of blind people who are sleeping outside begins to wake up, and their hunger becomes overwhelming. As they eat the scraps of food they have, including a piece of stale bread, the woman who was previously naked shares a conversation she had with a man who warned her that their houses might not be as they left them. The group realizes they need to find out what happened to everyone's keys, and some of them share what they remember about where they were when they went blind. The first blind man's wife scolds him for implying that hunger is worse than the blindness, and the group tries to figure out what has happened to their homes.
07:55:00 In this section, the group of blind individuals continues their journey and focuses on finding clothes and shoes to wear. The woman who wears dark glasses takes charge and advises the group on what to wear based on colors and patterns. They all agree that comfort is more important than beauty, especially since the streets are covered in mud. The narrator also describes how the theaters and cinemas have become makeshift homeless shelters, and the museums are left abandoned. The silence in the world is deafening, and the group's only concern is finding food.
The video features a summary of the book "Ensayo sobre la ceguera" that describes a world where everyone has been suddenly struck blind. There is chaos and disorder, and people are left to fend for themselves. They struggle to find shelter and food, and defecate in the streets. The group of blind individuals raises questions about humanity, justice, and leadership, with some individuals displaying selfishness while others come together in cooperation. The group navigates through a world of danger and isolation, relying on each other to survive, while the dog they've taken with them becomes increasingly feral. They try to find their way back to their homes and loved ones, but their expectations are soon shattered by the harsh reality they must face.
08:00:00 In this section, we see the bleak reality of a world where everyone has been struck blind. Art, science, and medicine are all rendered useless, and people are left to fend for themselves in a world where hunger and death are omnipresent. The characters we follow, including a group of blind people and a dog who once had a human owner, are all struggling to survive in a society that has seemingly fallen apart. They navigate the desolate streets slowly and carefully, trying to find their way to the home of one of the characters, where they encounter a locked door and a sense of foreboding.
08:05:00 In this section of the video, the woman and the girl with dark glasses continue their search for the girl's parents by going to a neighbor's apartment, but find only a skinny, elderly woman who admits she hasn't seen them. The woman and the girl inquire about how the old woman survived alone, and she confesses to sneaking into other apartments to scavenge food. The old woman claims that there is still some food left, but distrustfully refuses to share specifics about her resources. The narrator also notes how the phrase "expression in their eyes" is often used colloquially, despite eyes themselves not having any expressions or discernible movements.
08:10:00 In this section, the protagonist is taken to the home of the woman with the eyeglasses, who offers her some food, warning her that there is only raw meat available to eat. The protagonist decides to accept the offer to visit her home, hoping to feel her surroundings, even though she knows she is blind. As they walk through the house, the protagonist remembers how it used to be when everything was normal. They arrive at her room, where she finds her parents have removed her things. She sits down and cries until the woman with the eyeglasses tries to comfort her by saying there is no point in crying, but the protagonist's tears reflect how meaningless everything seems in a world without sight.
08:15:00 In this section, we see the group of blind individuals settle into a house for the night, with the knowledge that they will not have to search for another place to sleep. However, they encounter an old woman who is upset about their presence and demands that they provide her with food as payment for staying. Despite being irritated by her demands, two women in the group go to get food for the old woman, who eventually lets them use the backdoor of the house. While the old woman initially comes across as cruel, it is revealed that she is not as bad as she seems.
08:20:00 In this section, two women discuss what will happen to them now that they have lost their sight. The woman of the doctor says she will stay where she is waiting for her parents, even if she is alone and blind. The woman with dark glasses warns her that she will become like the lady downstairs who is alone and eating raw food. She insists that they are all dead already, blind and dead inside. They talk about how feelings are different now that they are blind, and that they are still in the beginning of understanding feelings without sight. Finally, the woman with the glasses invites the doctor's wife to come and live with them, "parasites" surviving on their own.
08:25:00 In this section, the excerpt describes the reality of bodily functions and the animalistic nature of human beings when in pain or discomfort. The characters in the story, including a young boy, are unable to use the bathroom because the downstairs neighbor has blocked all the toilets with her constant use. The characters are forced to relieve themselves in the yard, and the woman of the doctor expresses her concerns that everyone is blind, and there is chaos around. There is no water or electricity, and there is no leadership that can get things organized. The group discusses their situation and decides they must come up with a plan of action.
08:30:00 In this section, the group of blind individuals discusses the concept of humanity and justice, and how it may change in their current state of blindness. Despite their difficulties in finding food and shelter, they contemplate the possibility of living without eyes and whether they can still consider themselves fully human. The group also discusses the idea of forming groups and having leaders, and the potential for segregation and conflict within those groups. Ultimately, they decide to stay together and share resources, with some members having certain conditions for their assistance.
08:35:00 In this section of the video, the group of blind individuals continue to navigate their way through a world of chaos and danger caused by a sudden epidemic of blindness. The dog that had consumed the plastic bags filled with food was caught eating a chicken and buried the evidence quickly to avoid being caught. Meanwhile, the group of blind individuals make their way through the streets, hoping to avoid danger, as they unite to form a more sturdy formation to prevent any mishaps from occurring. They must stay together, as one wrong step could lead to disaster, just like a ship hitting a smaller boat in the open sea.
08:40:00 In this section, we see the group of blind individuals continuing their journey, holding onto a rope made of strips of cloth to guide them. The group is careful not to walk too closely together to avoid tripping over each other but still feel the proximity of their neighbors if possible, except for the young boy in the middle who is protected by everyone. The streets are filled with blind people searching for food, but with no electricity or gas remaining, and the danger of igniting a fire, it is challenging to cook. Thus, they rely on canned foods, even though they have an expiration date, and the old saying "eyes that do not see, have a stomach that cannot feel" has become their belief, justifying their consumption of expired foods. Meanwhile, the woman doctor evaluates the food they have remaining and contemplates going back to the underground supermarket for more supplies.
08:45:00 In this section, the group of formerly sighted individuals continues to navigate the bleak and dangerous world that has become overrun with blindness. As they scavenge for food, they encounter a horrific scene in a plaza where a pack of dogs is devouring a man, and soon they discover that their own dog has joined the wild canines. Their journey takes them down a grand avenue of luxurious buildings, one of which is a bank where the president was stranded due to the outbreak of blindness. With many members of the council becoming blind, their plans and measures for dealing with the epidemic are becoming increasingly difficult to make.
08:50:00 In this section of the transcript, it is revealed that the crippling blindness not only affected individuals but entire systems, such as the banking industry. With people fearing for their financial futures and wanting to withdraw their savings, banks quickly began to collapse, leaving the government to step in and try to calm the situation. Despite their efforts, some of the largest banks went bankrupt in just 24 hours, and even the police who had deposited their own money in the banks were left without hope. As the scene turned violent, desperate blind people raided the banks, taking everything they could get their hands on in hopes of finding a miracle that would open the heavy steel doors and grant them access to the wealth inside.
08:55:00 In this section, the old man with the black blindfold narrates the events of banking and finance as they calmly make their way through the city, making stops along the way so their strabismic child can "apaciguar los tumultos insufribles de su intestino" (calm down his unbearable intestinal distress). They eventually reach the street where the doctor and his wife live, but it is unrecognizable from all the piles of filth and wandering bands of blind people. The doctor's wife is disappointed and unconscious of her unrealistic expectation that her street would be clean and her neighbors would be blind but not stupid. They climb up to the fifth floor, each one watching out for themselves, with the dog named "Perro de las Lagrimas" (Dog of Tears) leading the way, and find their apartment door barricaded with attempts to break it down. Despite the mess inside, the woman tries to keep the apartment tidy and clean for when they returned, but the first blind man warns her that they will "lo quiero todo perdido" (ruin everything).
These sections of the audiobook "Ensayo sobre la ceguera" explore the characters' struggles with cleanliness and organization as they adjust to living in a world of blindness. They discuss the importance of seeing and how it relates to their understanding of good and evil. The characters venture outside to scavenge for food and supplies and explore different ways of orienting themselves without sight. They also discuss their experiences during the quarantine and their fears of disease and the fragility of life. The group encounters other blind people in the city's plaza, listening to various speeches proclaiming the end of the world, the arrival of the angel, the collision of cosmic bodies and other fantastical events.
09:00:00 In this section, we see the characters preparing for a proper cleaning after entering the quarantine ward with dirty shoes. They all begin to undress, even though some feel uncomfortable being in front of each other. The woman with dark glasses undresses slowly, and the woman of the doctor notices her blushing, despite the dirt. The characters will use candlelight to see because the electricity has been cut, and the woman with the doctor will go tomorrow to look for fuel.
09:05:00 In this section, the woman of the doctor collects the dirty clothes of the group and takes them to the terrace to wash them. She contemplates the desolate city from there, feeling the cold, and decides to light a candle to see better with the naked eye. She finds clean clothes for everyone, which she helps them put on. They all relax in the living room and talk about how they should organize their living arrangements and gather food.
09:10:00 In this section, the group is discussing their living arrangements and the importance of cleanliness in their new world of blindness. The woman with sight reminds the others of their time in quarantine and the need to avoid descending into barbarism. They discuss the significance of seeing and how it relates to their understanding of good and evil. The woman of the group explains the function of a lamp to the boy with strabismus and promises to give it to him if he regains his sight. The chapter ends with her retrieving water from the toilet tank, highlighting the desperation of their situation.
09:15:00 In this section, the group wakes up to a rainy morning, eager to collect the precious water. The woman of the doctor quietly retrieves containers and begins to gather rainwater, hoping it won't stop. She then strips naked, accepting and embracing the rain, cleansing herself and the dirty laundry. The sound of the waters is so deafening that she is unaware when two others join her. The section ends with the woman asking for help in collecting rainwater, grateful for the company.
09:20:00 In this section, a group of women, including the wife of the first blind man, decide to wash their clothes, but they do not have any towels to dry themselves. The wife of the first blind man suggests that they take off their clothes so they will have less to dry afterward. The other women, including a girl with dark glasses, agree, and they begin to wash their clothes. Meanwhile, other blind people in the nearby houses listen to the sounds of the rain. The women laugh and enjoy each other's company as they wash themselves and their clothes, feeling unashamed of their nudity. As the day breaks, the women finish washing and go inside.
09:25:00 In this section of the transcript, three women have just finished taking a shower and getting dressed, feeling clean and refreshed. They walk into the living room and see the old man with the black bandage sitting on the couch, seemingly lost in thought. He asks them if it is still raining outside, and the women inform him that it is, but there is water on the terrace they could use to wash up. The old man prefers to use the sink in the bathroom, however, and the women offer to help him by giving him a bar of soap and a razor. Once in the bathtub, the old man has a moment of realization as he scrubs every inch of his body, feeling worse than an animal.
09:30:00 In this section, the main character is given a bath and a shave by the woman who cared for the first blind man. He feels comforted by her touch, but is unsure of who she is. Afterwards, the group of blind people shares what little food they have, reserving some supplies for an emergency. The woman suggests they go on a food search, and a few of the men agree. As they venture outside, they are met with the sight of other blind people searching for food and water, some of whom are accompanied by dogs. The man notes the recent heavy rain has caused flooding in some areas. They continue to scavenge for food and supplies, hoping to find something of value in the heaps of garbage that have piled up in the streets.
09:35:00 In this section, the characters are navigating the streets, exploring different ways of orienting oneself without sight. The main character's wife is on a grocery errand, carrying legumes, and is looking for the four main intersections that will orient them back to their home. The first blind man and his wife used to use a white cane to identify their way, but in today's world, that would be insufficient, and his wife's guide dog would be a better way to travel. They eventually find their way back to their home, and the wife of the doctor realizes the importance of knowing the number of one's own house.
09:40:00 In this section, the first blind man recalls a time when he first entered the building, noting that now, the stairs are both dark and illuminated, and they must be climbed because the electricity doesn't work. He interacts with a group of people who are knocking on doors and stops to talk to them, telling them that he used to live in this building. They eventually enter and the group realizes that the man is a famous author who lost his house to squatters. The author suggests that they continue to live together until a solution is found for his own housing.
09:45:00 In this section, the writer suggests that they all continue living as guests in the house of the first blind man, as they have been doing so far, which the woman of the first blind man is not happy with. The group then discusses their experiences during the quarantine and the writer explains how he can still write despite being blind, using braille and a pen. The woman of the first blind man, who never lost her sight, also shares her experiences during the quarantine and reveals that there were around 300 people in the quarantine. The writer questions the use of the word "horrible" to describe their experiences, leading to a realization that maybe he has been writing about their suffering when each person should only speak about what they know.
09:50:00 In this section, a group consisting of the woman of the doctor, the writer, the first blind man and his wife and the girl with the dark glasses and the boy with the squinting eyes, planned to make a reconnaissance mission of their neighborhood's homes. They also talked about the conditions they are living in, and the doctor expressed his fears of the spread of disease and the potential for all of them to die as a result of the blindness. They discussed the need for organization and the fact that blindness is the factor that is killing them, as it prevents them from being able to take action to stay alive.
09:55:00 In this section, the doctor and the woman from his house, accompanied by the girl with dark glasses, arrive at the doctor's office. The door is open, and the room is in disarray since someone has stolen the drawers from the file cabinet, though the medical instruments are mostly present. The group discusses their blindness and the fragility of life, with the woman from the doctor's house admitting that she feels blind to the others' blindness. As they leave, they see groups of blind people in a plaza, listening to various speeches proclaiming the end of the world, the arrival of the angel, the collision of cosmic bodies, and other fantastical events.
This YouTube video is a summary of the audiobook "Ensayo sobre la ceguera." In this story, a group of survivors in a world affected by blindness struggle to find food and shelter. They come across a dead woman and decide to bury her, leaving a symbol of life for her parents. They also explore churches and find images with blindfolds, causing panic and chaos among the blind community. Later, one of the blind men spontaneously regains his sight, and the others follow suit. The story highlights the struggles of blindness and the importance of hope and resilience in times of crisis.
10:00:00 In this section, the group, including the doctor, his wife, Keith, and the girl with dark glasses, come across a dead woman outside the house where the girl with dark glasses used to live. The woman's body, carrying keys, was lying in front of the door, and the group speculates about why she had the keys on her. The group eventually decides to take her body to the backyard and down the emergency staircase after realizing that she had likely died outside of her home. The scene depicts the struggles of carrying a rigid body down a narrow staircase but ultimately highlights the group's refusal to leave the dead woman abandoned on the street.
10:05:00 In this section, the characters are seen burying the victim of blindness. As they dig the grave, they notice the presence of other blind people observing them from their balconies, and the woman of the doctor decides to shout out "resurgirá" to them. This surprises and shocks the other blind people, and the doctor asks her why she said that. She doesn't know and says it just popped into her head. Later, she reflects that the living need to resurge from themselves more than ever, implying they need to find hope and meaning despite their circumstances.
10:10:00 In this section, the characters discuss leaving a signal for the girl's parents, in case they return, as a way to let them know that she is still alive. The woman suggests leaving a piece of the girl's hair on the door handle as a symbol of life. The discussion leads to a reflection on the inversion of symbols, as death symbols become signs of life in their current situation. Later that night, the characters engage in reading as a way to distract themselves, and they reflect on the importance of preserving humanity's history through books, forming a connection with the past that they fear may be lost forever if they all go blind. The characters hold onto hope, even if some of their hopes may seem like madness to others.
10:15:00 In this section, two blind people have a heated conversation about their relationship. The man, an old and half-blind widower, confesses his love for the woman, who is young and wears dark glasses. After some back and forth, they agree to live together like a married couple. Despite the lack of congratulations or excitement from the others, the two are satisfied and sit next to each other, holding hands. The times are tough, and perhaps that's why they are grateful to have found each other.
10:20:00 In this section, the woman of the doctor improvised a bed for the cross-eyed boy in the corridor and stated that he would be sleeping there from then on. The woman and her husband decided to go to the underground supermarket to get food, hoping to control their intake and avoid the possibility of getting lost. They feared that the overhead load would be difficult on six people, who were all unable to fend for themselves. However, the woman wished that she could be blind like everyone else, and the doctor's family relied on her heavily. On their walk to work, they traversed through streets filled with piling rubbish, slowly choking from the stench. The doctor and his wife were convinced that epidemics would break out soon, and everyone was helpless against it.
10:25:00 In this section, the group continues their journey through the rain-soaked streets, witnessing the destruction caused by the heavy downpour. They encounter groups of blind people listening to speeches about societal principles and institutions that govern their lives, including politics, law, and commerce. The woman and the doctor explore the city, looking for the woman who had been abandoned and left alone in the supermarket. They eventually find the store, which has been vandalized and looted, and they realize that the survivors must have already taken everything. The group then encounters three blind people, who discuss their loss of vision and the difficulty of letting go of the habit of seeing.
10:30:00 In this section, the group, led by the doctor's wife, ventures into a dark corridor that leads to the basement of an abandoned supermarket where the stench of rotting flesh is overwhelming. As they get closer, the woman realizes that what she had initially thought was just an overpowering smell was actually the sign of something much worse. The dog accompanying them whimpers constantly and eventually lets out a keening howl before running off, and when the woman opens the door to the basement, she sees flickering lights, but she is unable to comprehend what they are until she realizes that they were the result of phosphorus that had been released from decaying bodies. The group had inadvertently sealed several people inside who had likely been seeking food and then were unable to escape. The wife feels a heavy sense of responsibility for what has happened, but the doctor tries to comfort her by reminding her that they are still responsible for feeding and taking care of themselves, even though the prospects look bleak.
10:35:00 In this section, a group of survivors in a world affected by blindness try to gather food and take shelter inside a church. The woman of the group is exhausted from the ordeal, and they decide to take a break in the church. However, the dog that usually accompanies them is hesitant to enter, due to the genetic code that prohibits dogs from entering churches. Eventually, they make it inside, and the woman falls unconscious. The husband takes measures to improve her blood flow and circulation, while the others explore the church. The woman eventually regains consciousness and seems fine, but starts to doubt her sanity when she looks up at the towering columns and vaulted ceiling.
10:40:00 que estás viendo, dijo la mujer del médico al hombre que estaba a su lado. En esta sección del video, se muestra cómo todas las imágenes de la iglesia tienen los ojos vendados, lo que lleva a especulaciones sobre quién pudo haberlo hecho y por qué. La mujer del médico sugiere que pudo haber sido el cura, quien decidió que Dios no merece ver lo que está sucediendo en el mundo de los ciegos. Esta idea desafía la idea convencional y plantea preguntas sobre la percepción y la experiencia humana. Además, se muestra la importancia del tiempo y cómo puede cambiar nuestra perspectiva y pensamiento sobre cualquier cosa.
10:45:00 In this section, the news that the images in the church were blindfolded spread quickly among the blind community, causing panic and chaos among the congregation. Superstitious individuals became convinced that the images had become blind, transforming the atmosphere of the church into one of horror and desperation. The blind individuals struggled to come to terms with the fact that they were blind, while the notion of blind images seemed like an unforgivable offense. The incident led to pandemonium as people fled the church, leaving all their belongings behind, and some opportunists took advantage of the situation to steal what little food they had left. However, the event did have some amusing moments as people tripped and stumbled in a comical fashion, while the woman who declared the blindness of the images failed to convey the full horror of the situation. The blind people responded to the event in various ways, with some individuals finding the incident curious and even amusing.
10:50:00 In this section of the video, the group discusses the idea of leaving the city and moving to the countryside to have better access to food. After eating, the others listen to the audiobook while the first blind man falls into a semi-dreamlike state. Suddenly, he realizes that he can see, and he proclaims it ecstatically to everyone present. The others are shocked but also happy for him. The doctor asks him questions about how well he can see, and he says that he sees much better than before.
10:55:00 podía imaginar la oleada de emociones que experimentaría al volver a ver después de haber perdido la vista, como sucedió con las personas en la habitación. La mujer del médico lloró inconsolablemente cuando escuchó las palabras del médico y su reacción visceral fue como la de un bebé recién nacido. El perro de las lágrimas confortó a la mujer y la chica de las gafas oscuras recuperó la vista en segundo lugar. A medida que los demás empezaron a recuperar la vista, se sintieron abrumados por los nuevos sentimientos y sensaciones que experimentaron. El banquete matutino se convirtió en una verdadera celebración a medida que comenzaron a saborear la felicidad de ver de nuevo.
In the video titled "Audiolibro Ensayo sobre la ceguera", the previously blind individuals start to see again and some of them venture out in search of food while others put up a sign on their door to reunite with their parents. The doctor and his wife observe the situation from their window and are mystified by the fact that the previously blind can see, but not really. The doctor mentions that one of their friends will lose his vision again due to cataracts caused by the blindness. However, the wife starts to suspect that they may be truly blind despite being able to see because everything appears as white to her.
11:00:00 In this section of the transcript, the previously blind individuals start to see again and one of them puts up a sign on her door in the hope of reuniting with her parents. Others decide to venture out of the asylum to find food. From the window, the doctor and his wife watch as the previously blind come to terms with their newfound sight. They agree that the situation is otherworldly and start to wonder if they are truly blind because they can see, but not really. The doctor mentions that the friend with the black eye-patch will lose his vision again due to cataracts caused by the blindness. The wife then looks outside and sees everything as white, leading her to suspect that they may be truly blind despite being able to see.