Allegory in the Cave by Plato
Lit Anal
Lit Anal
GENERAL
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read, and explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose (based on your well-informed interpretation of same).
-This story is about some men who live in a cave since they were born and have been living there life chained with shackles and being powerless, unable to see what the world is like outside the cave. The men are facing a wall with a fire behind and there is a bridge which allows people to cross and with this, the shadows of whoever dares to cross are being left on the empty wall of the cave and these are the only live images of the outside world that these men are allowed to look at. They have no knowledge of life and how it works, until one day. One man breaks free and was lead into the light to learn and seek the knowledge of how life works outside the cave. It was a challenge for the man but he was willing to push through it in order to be enlightened. Once enlightened he came back to the cave to help the others so they as well can see the light and become knowledgeable of the outside world.
2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.
- I will quote my sonnet off of Allegory in the Cave.
"Great change will occur when he who is enlightened
But it is up to us whether we see the knowledge or choose to be frightened".
In my opinion this is what sums up the theme of Allegory in the Cave. Plainly said.
"And suppose once more, that he is reluctantly dragged up a steep and rugged ascent, and held fast until he 's forced into the presence of the sun himself, is he not likely to be pained and irritated? When he approaches the light his eyes will be dazzled, and he will not be able to see anything at all of what are now called realities." This quote explains a tone towards the character of disbelief. It is one tone where the author expressed some emotion of how there wasn't any belief in the prisoner who was freed to see the reality of being outside the cave. Believed that the freed prisoner wouldn't be able to handle the change, and would choose to go back down into the familiar.
4. Describe a minimum of ten literary elements/techniques you observed that strengthened your understanding of the author's purpose, the text's theme and/or your sense of the tone. For each, please include textual support to help illustrate the point for your readers. (Please include edition and page numbers for easy reference.)
Imagery- " He will require to grow accustomed to the sight of the upper world. And first he will see the shadows best, next the reflections of men and other objects in the water, and then the objects themselves; then he will gaze upon the light of the moon and the stars and the spangled heaven; and he will see the sky and the stars by night better than the sun or the light of the sun by day?"
Simile- "But then, if I am right, certain professors of education must be wrong when they say that they can put a knowledge into the soul which was not there before, like sight into blind eyes. "
Rhetorical Question- "And if there were a contest, and he had to compete in measuring the shadows with the prisoners who had never moved out of the den, while his sight was still weak, and before his eyes had become steady (and the time which would be needed to acquire this new habit of sight might be very considerable) would he not be ridiculous? "
CHARACTERIZATION
1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization. Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?
-
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
- The freed prisoner expresses round and static characteristics in the story. He shows these qualities because he expressed a since of decision making like a human would. Being able to make a life changing decision is a big step, and the freed prisoner demonstrated it well. He also showed a static characteristic. The freed prisoner went from a cave prisoner, along with the others, and let himself become enlightened which proved him to grow as a person.
4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character? Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.
- After reading this story I felt it was so real. I connected it to my daily life and it relates to it so much, which caught my attention. I also started connecting to other things in life as well, and it appeared that it can be compared and have the same meaning behind it all. By far I'd have to say that this story and the play, No Exit by Jean Paul Sartre would have to my favorite literature of first semester.
