Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
14
↓
Inaccurate portrayal of blind/vi characters in fiction (self.Blind)
submitted by QuentinJamesP89
Someone mentioned not caring for books with blind piano tuners (I don't mind this. It's neat to read about a blind inventor or lawyer, but the truth is piano tuning was much more common, and if it's a historical work more accurate). I thought I'd mention a pet peeve of mine. One thing that bothers me in fiction is that blind characters always seem to have beautiful eyes or be extremely attractive. (Or they all wear dark glasses, something those of us who can still see a little don't always find practical.) The reality is most of us have weird looking eyes that make people uncomfortable. I've been self conscious about my eyes ever since I can remember, and they've only gotten worse in appearance over the years.
I don't know, perhaps I'm being petty and this is just a thing in fiction in general (characters must always be reasonably attractive, or at least not unattractive). It's possible that authors don't want to describe a main character like this: "Here's our hero, skinny, mostly blind, and extremely cross eyed with eyes that used to be dark brown but are now faded looking and full of cataracts and weird blood vessels and watery and squinty and you can't tell which eye to look at. He's very cool, trust me." It's still annoying, though, and very unrealistic.
Thoughts?
I don't know, perhaps I'm being petty and this is just a thing in fiction in general (characters must always be reasonably attractive, or at least not unattractive). It's possible that authors don't want to describe a main character like this: "Here's our hero, skinny, mostly blind, and extremely cross eyed with eyes that used to be dark brown but are now faded looking and full of cataracts and weird blood vessels and watery and squinty and you can't tell which eye to look at. He's very cool, trust me." It's still annoying, though, and very unrealistic.
Thoughts?
casserole_cat 4 points 1y ago
I’ve never read a book with a blind person in it wait only a colorblind person but that was in a wizard manga and he got his regular vision back when this girl made him a special potion.
But yea I guess I have heard about blind characters and they are always gorgeous with like light blue pretty eyes. I have hazel eyes and ones is lazy eye.
I think the thing that bothers me most about this misrepresentation is that they always have the blind character not being able to do something and being all unknowing. And I’m 16 so I’m surrounded by people my age who don’t know this isn’t realistic. Like yea I can use the internet and yea I can be a bitch also. But no I can’t magically play the piano. In fact I suck at instruments.
But yea I guess I have heard about blind characters and they are always gorgeous with like light blue pretty eyes. I have hazel eyes and ones is lazy eye.
I think the thing that bothers me most about this misrepresentation is that they always have the blind character not being able to do something and being all unknowing. And I’m 16 so I’m surrounded by people my age who don’t know this isn’t realistic. Like yea I can use the internet and yea I can be a bitch also. But no I can’t magically play the piano. In fact I suck at instruments.
QuentinJamesP89 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Yes, what is it with blind characters always having "beautiful" blue or grey eyes. That's definitely a common thing.
I think blind characters in fiction are usually one of two extremes: either helpless and completely clueless (and possibly a little saintly), or basically have super powers like extra sensitive senses. And yes, they're often interested in music in fiction, though that's a stereotype for a reason. I fit that one.
I think blind characters in fiction are usually one of two extremes: either helpless and completely clueless (and possibly a little saintly), or basically have super powers like extra sensitive senses. And yes, they're often interested in music in fiction, though that's a stereotype for a reason. I fit that one.
TwoSunsRise 4 points 1y ago
I like the direction you took this post. I've seen thoughts about how blind people are portrayed but how we actually look is interesting too. I agree, many blind characters look normal. Many do have cataracts which is fairly realistic (I have some). Unfortunately, when a character has a lazy eye it's always portrayed as a joke which is too bad. I really don't care, I can laugh at myself as much as anyone but it gets old after a while.
I love star wars so I'll go with that for now. There's a few blind characters and they show it in different ways. One character has cataracts in both eyes, another has one white eye that you assume he can't see out of and another wears a mask over his eyes so you can't see the damage to his face at all. But yeah, no lazy eyes or different shaped or sized eyes or something that may be more uncomfortable to look at. Again, not a huge deal to me but just some thoughts off the top of my head.
Edit: sorry, I just noticed you mention books but my take was relating to visual media. Sorry about that!
I love star wars so I'll go with that for now. There's a few blind characters and they show it in different ways. One character has cataracts in both eyes, another has one white eye that you assume he can't see out of and another wears a mask over his eyes so you can't see the damage to his face at all. But yeah, no lazy eyes or different shaped or sized eyes or something that may be more uncomfortable to look at. Again, not a huge deal to me but just some thoughts off the top of my head.
Edit: sorry, I just noticed you mention books but my take was relating to visual media. Sorry about that!
QuentinJamesP89 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
That's true that a lazy eye in fiction is usually a joke, or worse, a sign that someone is shifty or odd somehow. My blind eye isn't just lazy, it turns in very drastically toward my nose and doesn't sync up with my seeing eye at all. It's quite embarrassing.
You're right about movies. I hadn't considered that. I was thinking more about novels. Though even in movies if the blind character is a main character (think daredevil, I can think of a host of others) they're usually attractive. It's the side characters or older/mentor types that have the massive cataracts.
You're right about movies. I hadn't considered that. I was thinking more about novels. Though even in movies if the blind character is a main character (think daredevil, I can think of a host of others) they're usually attractive. It's the side characters or older/mentor types that have the massive cataracts.
AllHarlowsEve 2 points 1y ago
I honestly hate the whole "white eyes mean blind" trope. Obviously cataracts exist, but it's such a stereotype that people are surprised when they meet me that I've got pretty blue eyes . I would love more characters with bouncy eyes or one that tracks different, but I'd also be just as happy to continue seeing more characters that aren't ridiculously obviously blind from half a mile away, y'know?
I also would love if someone's wearing sunglasses for them to not just be the big geezer wraparounds. I have something like 30 pairs of sunglasses in varying styles and I hate that people comment on them like having literally any sense of style means I'm not blind. My favorite ones are tortoiseshell ray-bans and they fit my face perfectly. I've also got cat eyes that are bright red, rose gold aviators etc. They're as much for blocking out light as they are to express my fashion sense. They're not a blindfold either, although some of them are harder for people to see through or even mirror finished.
I also would love if someone's wearing sunglasses for them to not just be the big geezer wraparounds. I have something like 30 pairs of sunglasses in varying styles and I hate that people comment on them like having literally any sense of style means I'm not blind. My favorite ones are tortoiseshell ray-bans and they fit my face perfectly. I've also got cat eyes that are bright red, rose gold aviators etc. They're as much for blocking out light as they are to express my fashion sense. They're not a blindfold either, although some of them are harder for people to see through or even mirror finished.
QuentinJamesP89 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
The "white eyes mean blind" trope seems to be a thing only in movies. In books, particularly if it's an important character they always have beautiful eyes, usually blue or grey. My point was that "most" blind people don't have attractive eyes. I understand there are exceptions, just saying that fiction tends to not be realistic. They want the characters to be as likable, and thus, as normal as possible. If we were all that normal and had eyes that didn't freak people out we'd have a much easier time in life.
Eternal-wizard-1942 2 points 1y ago
Personally, I never really cared. And, at least for me, I’ve always made my blindness as a joke, and even find blind comedy great.
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.