Witness

In Witness, sight is a recurring motif that coveys the theme of standing against injustice: What the characters see, how they interpret what they see, and what they choose not to see determines their stance toward the Klan and their ability to discern the truth. Even the title of the novel, “witness,” addresses both the idea of seeing or knowing the truth of something through personal observation, as in a court of law, as well as bearing witness against injustice. Bearing witness means to show something exists or is true. When a person can’t change an injustice on their own, they can still bear witness so the injustice will not be overlooked by those in power or brushed away by time. When characters “see,” it is on multiple levels.

For example, Sara claims that it took the Hirsches staying at her farm for her to see the Klan “straight through / to the end of it” (59). Esther constantly describes seeing birds, animals, and flowers. This childlike way of seeing uncommon beauty in commonplace objects creates a purity of vision that allows her to speak with God. Notably, she is the only one who sees her father’s shooter; her bearing witness to the crime brings about Johnny’s spiritual judgment, if not his secular punishment.