A concept interpretation of citizenship in José Saramago: A reading introducction of "Blindness" and "Seeing"

Abstract

José Saramago’s work constitutes a privileged example to understand the way that literature could be a reality interpretation proposal. In this article we propose a parallel reading of Blidness and Seeing. According to the events that cause us distress, we verify how it urges to rethink and restructure the concept of active citizenship. Dismissing a defeatist or pessimistic point of view, José Saramago’s work can be an excellent example of how literature, culture and thinking can contribute for the edification of a clear and responsible democratic society, which claims an increasing consciousness of the individual ethical attitude. Citizenship is an increasing decisive factor in societies functioning. We should be conscious that only thinking can help us avoid future society to definitely get installed in the utopia domain and make society even closer and more real.