Vladimir Galaktionovich Korolenko himself called the novella "The Blind Musician" an étude. At that time, scholars used this term for their studies in a particular field. Indeed, the writer examines the formation of the personality of his hero, Pyotr Popelsky, born blind, both from the perspective of physiological peculiarities and from an ethical standpoint.
With full conviction, Vladimir Galaktionovich proves that physical blindness is not as terrible as spiritual blindness. From childhood striving to see, Pyotr Popelsky truly gains sight — when he comes face to face with genuine suffering, disenfranchisement, and poverty; when his own physical defect turns out to be not so significant an obstacle to full self-realization.