Allegory Of The Cave Summary

In “The Allegory of the Cave”, Plato persuades the reader to escape their own inner imprisonment in the pursuit of knowledge by using symbolism, credibility, and emotional appeal.
In this piece, everything has a deeper meaning. Plato compares life to a cave to illustrate one’s self imprisonment. In this cave, the people that are imprisoned represent those who have not, or will not, seek enlightenment. For this reason they remain stationary, unable to move forward or see any truth. By using this analogy, Plato suggests that very few people are actually aware of the world around them because they are confined in their own cave. While the reason behind these caves can vary from person to person, the thing holding them in generally stays the same;
fear of vulnerability and failure. Predictability often assures safety, which this cave represents. With the infinite possibilities this outside world has, many people will fight to stay in the confines of their certainty. The author uses one prisoner’s return to illustrate this “‘And would they not kill anyone who tried to release them and take them up, if they could somehow lay hands on him and kill him?’” (Plato, 3).
Plato uses this possible encounter to explain how the inability to believe in the unknown can lead these prisoners to act out. By describing this scene and posing this question the reader can imagine what it is like to be a prisoner. Once they are in this state of mind, Plato can help the reader see what they see, feel what they feel. Plato explains their fear and how it could lead them to do anything in their power to stay where life is comfortable. With the reader in this mind frame, Plato can use that fear and contrast it to the enlightenment that will follow their escape. Plato describes the realization of this world outside the cave to be, although an adjustment, an all around life changing experience. When one breaks free of their cave “... the brilliance would fill his eyes and he would not be able to see even one of the things now called real” (Plato, 2). With this Plato describes the experience of the new world to be overpowering. The brilliance and clarity that this new world brings is so immense that it takes time to adjust. However if one does manage to find the reasoning
behind their cave and escape to this new world they will be met with a world of clarity. With this new knowledge one can prosper and succeed, however that is not where the journey ends. Plato stresses the importance of returning back to the cave to educate those who have not seen. Knowledge is to be shared not harvested for selfishness. Together, with this new found knowledge, cities and societies can rise to success.
Lastly, Plato uses his own credibility to earn the respect of the audience and to help further his role as a leader. He does this in explaining “Then it is the task of us founders to compel the best natures to attain that learning which we said was greatest...and when they have ascended and properly seen, we must never allow them what is allowed now” (Plato 4). In asserting himself as a founder and explaining the problem with the cites, Plato asserts his credibility and also takes on responsibility. He owns up to being a founder and stresses that the things that are happening now can never happen again. This helps the audience see the role he plays and his commitment to help the situation. Also Plato is a well known philosopher, meaning he is highly educated. Many people have heard of his name and thus are more likely to take what he is saying into consideration. By using himself as a source of credibility, Plato is more likely to gain not only the trust, but also the respect of the audience.
Plato used methods of ethos, pathos, and symbolism to explain the importance of knowledge. While fear of failure often hold people back, Plato stresses that it is necessary in reaching higher levels of intelligence, which should be shared with others.