In Salman Rushdie's "Imaginary Homelands: Essays and Criticism 1981-1991," he explores the idea that humans have a limited understanding of reality. He suggests that we are not all-seeing beings; rather, we are flawed and shaped by our experiences. This perspective highlights the fragmented nature of human perception, where we often see only parts of the whole, influenced by our individual wounds and biases.

Rushdie's reflection on our perception underscores the challenges we face in understanding the world fully. By acknowledging our limitations, he encourages a deeper awareness of the subjective nature of our experiences. The metaphor of "cracked lenses" illustrates how our viewpoints are often incomplete, emphasizing both the beauty and pain in our struggle to grasp the complexity of life.