Blind Men and the Elephant (a.k.a., ”Blindmen”) (by John Godfrey Saxe)
Read the attached poems (2) and answer the questions that follow in at least 300 words total.
Hint: Think about the blind men as being blind figuratively, what does their blindness symbolize? How might they NOT exemplify what Socrates teaches? If you cannot open the poems document, you can read them below:
- www.wordfocus.com/word-act-blindmen.html
American poet John Godfrey Saxe (1816-1887) based this poem,
”The Blind Men and the Elephant” on a fable that was told in India many years ago.
It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind
The First approached the Elephant,
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
“God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a wall!”
The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried, “Ho! what have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me ’tis mighty clear
This wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!”
The Third approached the animal,
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:
“I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant
Is very like a snake!”
The Fourth reached out an eager hand,
And felt about the knee.
“What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain,” quoth he;
“ ‘Tis clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a tree!”
The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said: “E’en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can
This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a fan!”
The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Than, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
“I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant
Is very like a rope!”
And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!
How does this poem relate to critical thinking?
What do you think the elephant represents?
What do you think the blind men represent?
What is the meaning of this poem?
What could be an alternative meaning to this poem?
”Zen Buddhism”
A University Professor went to see Nan-in, a Zen Master, to find out more about Zen,
As their meeting continued Nan-in was pouring Tea and continued to pour even though the cup was overflowing.
The Professor cried. ”Enough! No more will go in”
Nan-in replied ”Like this cup you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?’
1. What is the message of this poem?
2. Do you think it is a good message?
3. How could this poem relate to you or your life?
