Nasty stuff

This page is here solely because of academic interest in the uses and effects of blindfolds. If you don't want your cosy/sexy/romantic feelings about blindfolds disturbed, return to the index page.

If you are not squeamish, and want to read a discussion about the uses of blindfolds in less pleasant situations, jump to the lower portion of this page.

Executions

Everybody's familiar with the cliché about the hero who refuses a blindfold at his execution. Actually this is based on a slightly distorted idea about the purpose of blindfolding someone who is about to be executed. While it may be claimed that the blindfold has a calming effect on the victim, who doesn't have to "look death in the eye", it is quite certain that this at least originally was NOT the point of blindfolding the condemned person. The blindfold was originally there for the benefit of the executioner. In many cultures there is the superstitious idea of "the evil eye" and similar concepts. A dying person's eyes can have an effect on the killer, and follow him ever after. This is almost certainly simply a superstitious interpretation of bad conscience.

An example: In the old Icelandic Saga of Grettir, the hero "kills" a ghost named Glámur. In his dying moments, Glámur curses Grettir, saying that his eyes will follow him whereever he goes. In the end, the everpresent eyes of the ghost help to bring about Grettir's downfall.

Torture

People under torture are frequently blindfolded. This can have a double purpose:

• In case of changed conditions in that particular country, a blindfolded victim has worse chances of identifying the torturers and bringing about their punishment.
• The psychological effect of a blindfold under such conditions is to give an increased feeling of insecurity and helplessness. This can help break down the victim.

Kidnapping

Obviously kidnappers like their victims not to be able to identify them after their release (if the kidnappers plan on releasing them at all, that is). Some people have been blindfolded for months in their captivity.

Brainwashing

It is pretty certain that a blindfolded person is more susceptible to auditory stimuli, and more likely to believe what he or she hears than a sighted person. In the famous case of Patty Hearst, she was kept blindfolded for weeks, while constantly bombarded with the propaganda of her kidnappers, the Symbionese Liberation Army. As a result, she came to identify herself completely with their aims and actions, finally joining the group and participating in bank robberies with them.

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