Blind Men and the Elephant A Poem by John Godfrey Saxe

Evaluative Level Questions

How do you feel when other people dont see something the same way as you?
What lesson did the Rajah teach the blind men? What does the author wants us to learn
from this poem?
Do these problems happen in real life? Do you have similar scenarios wherein you get
into an argument or misunderstanding because of clashing points of view?
What do you think will happen if the men were not blind? Do you think they will still
have different ideas? What do you think will change?
What makes a thing what it is? Is it the way it is perceived by other or is it something
else?
What makes a person who they are? Is it their religious affiliation? Race? Beliefs? Or is it
something else?
How does the poem been a commentary on the importance of being open-minded?
How important it is for us to consider other views before finally reaching our own
conclusions?
How do we, individuals, perceive, see and come to know reality?
How does the poem help you to understand the concept of identity? Give examples.
Do our family upbringing, class values, societal values or religious affiliation condition
the way we perceive and see the world? Why? How is that?
Does our perception of the world influence our thinking, feelings and behavior? How?
Can a human person possess a comprehensive and total knowledge of reality?
For you, what is truth? Can you possess it, 100%?
How is the poem connected to what is happening in the world today? (Wars, fights,
biases, prejudices, etc.)
What do you think is the attitude and behavior needed for us to really grasp the
knowledge of truth?
Why is it so hard for us, sometimes, to change our views, ideas and beliefs?
What moral does the poem impart to the reader?
How is the poem a picture of relativism and tolerance?
After reading and understanding the poem, what changes occur? What difference does it
do to you, as the reader?
After reading and understanding the poem, what do you think people will do differently?

For the style part:

What patterns do you notice in the poem? Give examples in the text.
How does the poem considered to be a metaphor? Give examples in the text.