Seeing/Vision/Blindness/Perspectives: Excerpts from Students' Final Reflections on our Class Theme

     "We all come into the world having sight.  We see what's in front of our faces, but our personal perspectives blind us into only seeing what we already look for..."  (Ashanti R.)

   "Remember that everyone's life story is complex" is a saying/rule that Ms. Loosen has always made known to the class.  We have all seen and experienced things that influence who we are.  Because of these experiences we don't always see things in a similar light.  We are often blind and judge.  But sometimes we just need a different "frame" of mind.
      I believe that this class has enhanced the idea that we all see things differently.  The characters in our books do, as do the writers and all of the students.  In our Socratic discussions, I think it was a great opportunity for students to present and share ideas, perspectives, and thoughts.  And through these discussions, I think it was a good way to get a better understanding of our classmates.  Just like the characters in the books we read, we all come from different backgrounds.  But sometimes, despite our backgrounds, we share similar perspectives.  I think it was eye-opening for us how we can all see things differently..." (Pa Nou X.)
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     "When you see something it doesn't always literally mean what it represents.  Seeing is a disability.  It holds the defect that we all possess because by seeing we are susceptible to blindness.  No, I am not saying that it is better to be literally blind, but rather that if we have the ability to see, we should try to seek our own blindness and make ourselves see the perspectives of the many different views of this world..." (Peterson V.)

    "....From the beginning with Oedipus, the blind oracle Teiresias knew more than the protagonist or surrounding characters.  This is a mark of irony but also serves to show that point of view is more important as a way to show perception, deception, and mistakes.  For example, the Chorus of Oedipus Rex knew as much as Oedipus and the audience so they acted as a relatable perspective.  From this, we see events unfold which surprise us: a secret build-up of events is finally made evident to the audience in a single terrifying climax..."  (James W.)

    "...While looking at a painting, the whole can be seen before its parts, yet the details are what makes the painting a masterpiece.  When reading a novel, your mind automatically sets the scene and its characters, yet these images can be completely different from what the author created in their mind and their writing.  And in real life, you can see someone clearly and you begin to judge, yet you never stop to judge what is underneath.
     Humans are naturally blind.  Some are blind to the truth about themselves, the world, and literature.  It takes someone who is willing to tear off the blindfolds to find the true meaning behind things that confuse them.  Very few are willing to do so.
     I learned that it is much more fulfilling to pull the blindfold off, thread by thread..."  (Jessica S.)

     "What I learned about seeing is that when you look at something you always miss little details.  But once you really look at it from different angles or points of view, it's actually different from what you first looked at..."  (Pahoua C.)

     "...I learned to see that our city, our class, our beliefs, our existence, my existence is only a small, small fraction of what the world is about...but even so, we can make the biggest difference.  We can change the world by simply writing down a few words, reading a few books, and standing back once in a while to get a new perspective of the bigger picture." (Maya H.)