IV. Appendix
The Blind Men and The Elephant
The parable “The Blind Men and the Elephant” asks us to think about how we view our world and
how we too often jump to conclusions before gaining a more complete perspective. Read and then
answer the questions below.
The Blind Men and the Elephant
John Godfrey Saxe (1816-1887)
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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 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 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 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 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 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!"
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!" 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 the lesson of this parable relate to the challenge of providing an accurate picture
of a culture through a single piece or even a single collection of student art?
How complete a view of culture did your class’ collection of art provide for your partners?
Were there important aspects that you and your classmates didn’t cover?
How complete a view of culture did your partner class’ collection of art provide for you? Do
you have any clarifying follow-up questions you would like to ask them?
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