Xiuting Lin
Professor Nunez
Eng 1010 T8BF
11-2-2014
Reality and Illusion
Life is not easy and it is changing all the time. There are various sharp thorns in the life. Many people are afraid to face the hardships they cannot overcome themselves. Nora Ephron, George Orwell and Plato, three famous writers, represent three different views about how people attempt to escape the everyday struggles in life. Ephron’s “The Boston Photographs” details peoples’ reactions toward the pictures of death. Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant” tells a story about how and why a British officer kills an elephant after struggling with himself. Plato’s famous “The Allegory of the Cave” tells a story about a group of prisoners who live
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in a world of illusion. These three essays seem to differ but they have a common theme. They all illustrate that people are living in their own world and they are unable to distinguish between reality and illusion and fear to face the reality, but they differ in some ways. People are stuck in their own worlds and fear seeing the reality. In “TheAllegory of the Cave”, Plato says, “[t]o them, the truth would be literally nothing but the shadows of the images” (304).Inside the cave, the prisoners believe that the shadows they see on the wall are actual reality. This is important because it means that the prisoner’s consciousness is distorted and they are not by any means seeing true reality. Prisoners know nothing about the cause of the shadows, but they never try to explore they do not know things. Plato further says, if a prisoner is released, he will begin to see the sun, begin to see a new world; this prisoner will realize that his former view of reality was wrong. If this prisoner returns to the cave and tells other prisoners his finding, other prisoners will kill him because he said things that would reverse their existence (Plato, 308).The shadows in the cave represent the world of illusion, the sun represents the reality. Plato believes that most of people are just like the prisoners in the cave: they are willing to live in the cave and unwilling to see the real world. Those people never know the existence of some other different facts, so it is very difficult to accept or even impossible to accept another truth for them. In the“Shooting an Elephant,”Orwell deals with the same topic as Plato. Orwell says that townspeople want him to shoot the elephant even though “[h]is attack of must was already passing off; in which case he would merely wander harmlessly” (Orwell, 298). Townspeople want Orwell to kill the elephant because they think this elephant will be dangerous; they imagine that this elephant will keep hurting people. However, in reality the elephant is peaceful and not aggressive. Townspeople do not realize what the reality is; they are still stuck in their world of illusion. Also,even though Orwell knows the elephant is not dangerous, the death of the coolie seems to justify killing the elephant; as well as the peer pressure from the crowd around him and the “beautiful” gun he holds in his hands. If people are afraid to face their real personality, they will not be able to deal with the difficulties in real world. It is a way to escape from reality because it clouds their judgment. In Ephron’s “The Boston Photographs,”Ephron says people do not want to see the image of death, but “death happens to be one of life’s main events” (157). Death is a part of life and it happens every day. However, most people unwilling to face the death.They do not even want to see the pictures of death. Ephron states that most papers will not print a picture of a dead body even though those photos are newsworthy (156), because people will think publication of the death photos was unjustified and most editors are afraid of people’s negative response. People’s refusal to look images of death is also a kind of way to escape from reality because death is an important part of real world and it is inevitable. Comparing “The Allegory of the Cave,” “Shooting an Elephant,” and “The Boston Photographs,” they are similar in some aspects.
All of three essays say that people’s attitude toward the reality and explain the reasons why people like to stay in their “cave” and are unwilling to face the reality is because of their fear and ignorance. Moreover, “The Allegory of the Cave” and “Shooting an Elephant” are more similar because both of them use symbolism to expand notions and use allegory in their essay. In“The Allegory of the Cave,” the darkness, the shadows, and the sunlight all represent ignorance and enlightenment. The fire, the prisoners, the puppeter and the light all had abstract qualities that go back to mankind’s behavior and Plato’s argument. In the“Shooting an Elephant,” the elephant represent the British Empire. The death of the elephant symbolize imperialism of British Empire will fade and die off, as well as cowardice of the police and the ignorance of the …show more content…
people. “The Allegory of the Cave” and “Shooting an Elephant”have similar themes but they have different writing styles.
Plato’s “The Allegory of the Cave” is in the form of allegory and is a fiction. Plato did not express his ideas directly; he used metaphors throughout the story. Every actions and setting he used as symbols and they all represent allegorical meanings. Plato uses his philosophical viewpoint to criticize people's cowardice and ignorance. “Shooting an Elephant” is a nonfiction essay. It is autobiographical and is narrated as a story in the form of an essay. Unlike Plato, George Orwell is telling his own experience; readers can recognize that human foibles through his description directly. For example, Orwell says, “I had done it solely to avoid looking a fool”(302). According to this quote, readers can understand that killing the elephant is not Orwell’s original intention. If Orwell does not fear listening to his own heart; if he has the courage to face reality; he will not kill the elephant. So, the biggest difference between these two essay is that readers can more easily get the author’s idea in “The Allegory of the Cave” than in the “Shooting an
Elephant”. Even though the theme of the “Shooting an Elephant” and “The Boston Photographs” is the same, they are also very different. George Orwell and Ephron both talk about the death in their articles, but they talk about peoples’ different attitudes toward death. In the “Shooting an Elephant,” Orwell talks about the death of the elephant. Orwell thinks that people are not really afraid to see the death because it is people who create the rules to make the elephant go to death. However, Ephron talks about the death of humans in her essay. She thinks that people do not want to see images of the death because they are afraid of death, and afraid to see tragedy in the real world. In conclusion, Ephron, George Orwell and Plato, all of them show the reasons why people are unwilling to face the reality. Many people like to live in a world of illusion because they do not have to face the imperfections of their lives. The result of the illusion is that people will never truly be happy because if people do not see the “sun”, they will never know how the real world look like is. Works Cited Ephron,Nora. “The Boston Photographs.” 50 Essays. Ed.Samuel Cohen. 4th ed: Boston: Bedford, November.2014.print Orwell,George. “Shooting an Elephant.” 50 Essays. Ed.Samuel Cohen. 4th ed: Boston: Bedford, November.2014.print Plato. “The Allegory of the Cave.” 50 Essays Ed.Samuel Cohen. 4th ed: Boston: Bedford, November.2014.print
The Allegory of the Cave by Plato, shows the contrast between sense experience and rationalism. The story explains that in the cave where some people have known nothing of the outside world and can only comprehend what they see based on what little they do know of their cave. The people have come to the conclusion what the shapes represent and what causes them and believe it to be correct and thus believe it as the reality of the world. However what they don’t know is that this is not the world and what they will soon find out is that the things they once saw with their eyes what they smelt, what they heard, what they felt were just shadows of real images and objects cast on the wall by fire. What this does is show that sense experience can be at fault because the one perceiving is at times is ignorant of the fact that they know nothing of the true reality of the world and its workings. One must be showed how things are in order to learn and thus no longer be ignorant but have now begun taking steps towards wisdom.
The "Allegory of the cave "is broken down into four levels. The cave itself representing the tunnel we as humans have dug for ourselves away from the world of learning and knowledge to a world of safe answers where nothing is ever questioned . The cave represents the human's subconscious struggle to be safe and hide from the unknown. Beginning with Level one . The shadow watchers(the mystified )Illusion the figures and shadows reflection on the cave wall.This level is best described as such because the prisoners are not seeing what is real .They are seeing a copy or illusion of what is the real.They are seeing what they want to see.Level two The shadow casters .I believe the shadow casters area people who realize that the world is not as it
American’s education system has been entering crisis mode for a long time. Throughout the past few years, the overwhelming question “Is college needed or worth it?” While it is an opinion, there are facts that back up each answer. Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” mentions that the enlightened must help the unenlightened and further their knowledge. The problem with America today is that high school students are given the option of college and that makes for less enlightened people. While it is possible to learn in the work force or Army, college is a better option. Mary Daly wrote the article “Is It Still Worth Going to College?” which talks about the statistical value of attending. Michelle Adam wrote the article “Is College Worth It?” which mentions the struggle young people are going through to even get into college. Caroline Bird wrote the chapter “Where College Fails Us” in her book The Case Against College where she
Every day, each individual will look back on decisions he or she have made and mature from those experiences. Though it takes time to realize these choices, the morals and knowledge obtained from them are priceless. In George Orwell’s nonfictional essay, “Shooting an Elephant”, a young Orwell was stationed in Burma for the British imperial forces, tasked to deal with an elephant who destroyed various parts of the village Moulmein while its owner was away. Backed by second thoughts and a crowd of thousands, he finds himself shooting the elephant and reflecting that it was not justified; however, it was a choice pushed by his duty and the people. Written with a fusion of his young and old self’s outlook on shooting the elephant, Orwell’s essay is a sensational read that captivates his audience and leaves them questioning his decision.
The Allegory of the Cave is a parable that demonstrates how humans are afraid of change and what they do not know. In this work, Plato suggests a situation in which men are living in an underground cave. The one entrance is located near the top and there, a burning fire casts shadow. The men of the cave are chained so that they can only see the wall and cannot turn around. When objects pass by it creates a shadow on the wall. The shadows are the only thing they can see and therefore is the only thing they know to exist (747). Somehow one of them gets loose and wanders outside the cave (748). When he gets out, he is astonished at what he finds. He comes back in to tell the others about what he saw. The other men think he is mad and plot to kill him (749). This illustrates how fear, inherent in the primitive nature of man, only serves to promote his ignorance.
The Allegory of the Cave is a hypothetical scenario, described by Plato, in the form of a conversation between Socrates and Glaucon. Socrates describes the picture of prisoners living in a cave where they have no source of light except for the one provided by the fire. There since birth, the prisoners live in a fixed position, staring at the shadows that are projected onto the walls. The puppeteers walk along a path behind the chained prisoners, each holding different objects. They live in a state of constant prediction, waiting for future shadows to be cast. As the objects reflect into shadows, the prisoners guess what the projections are and what they represent. The conversation reveals Socrates thoughts of human ignorance and the imprisonment of humans, trapped in society. It covers the search for truth and the desire to share it with others and free them from the bondage of ignorance. Socrates metaphor can represent education, religion, and our interaction with society. The prisoners in the cave lack education and you can
In the Allegory of The Cave, Plato states that "the prison world is the world of sight, the light of the fire is the sun, and you will not misapprehend me if you interpret the journey upwards to be the ascent of the soul into the intellectual world according to my poor belief". Everything described in the Allegory of The Cave holds a double meaning as a symbol for something else; the prison world symbolizes our world and the fire casting shadows on the walls of the cave is in actuality the sun. Only the sun isn 't just the sun, it is a representation of the good and the truth in this world. When one reaches this level of enlightenment, according to Plato they not only find the truth of their existence, but they also find the good in life, and
The allegory of the cave is an enlightening philosophical work made by Greek Philosopher, Plato. The allegory portrays people as sponges and that they only know as much as they are told, whether it is true or not and it compares the effect of education and the lack of it in human nature. Plato’s allegory of the cave is highly comparable to the movie called “The Truman Show”, which some may argue is a modern adaptation that is more relatable today. It shares some of the main themes of the allegory, for example the seven symbols of the cave: the light/fire, the shadows, the breaking of the chains, the prisoners, the free prisoner, the cave, and the real objects. The allegory of the cave is a very disputable idea which many do not understand.
A police officer in the British Raj, the supposedly 'unbreakable'; ruling force, was afraid. With his gun aimed at a elephant's head, he was faced with the decision to pull the trigger. That officer was George Orwell, and he writes about his experience in his short story, 'Shooting an Elephant';. To save face, he shrugged it off as his desire to 'avoid looking the fool'; (George Orwell, 283). In truth, the atmosphere of fear and pressure overwhelmed him. His inner struggle over the guilt of being involved in the subjugation of a people added to this strain, and he made a decision he would later regret enough to write this story.
Orwell, George. "Shooting An Elephant." An Age Like This, 1920-1940, vol. 1 of The Collected Essays, Journalism and Letters of George Orwell. ed. Sonia Orwell and Ian Angus. New York: Harcourt, 1968.
In “Shooting an Elephant” writer George Orwell illustrates the terrible episode that explains more than just the action of “shooting an elephant.” Orwell describes the scene of the killing of an elephant in Burma and reveals a number of emotions he experienced during the short, but traumatic event. Effectively, the writer uses many literary techniques to plant emotions and create tension in this scene, leading to an ironic presentation of imperialism. With each of the realistic descriptions of the observing multitude and the concrete appeal of the narrator’s pathos, Orwell thrives in persuading the audience that imperialism not only has a destructive impact on those being governed under the imperialists’ oppressive power, but also corrupts
Plato's Allegory of the Cave is a representation of the normal human behavior as well as the circumstances we presently encounter on a day-to-day basis. The Allegory of the Cave symbolically describes our circumstances as human beings in today’s world. Plato uses a number of key elements to depict the image of the human condition. Plato's images contain relatable ideas in regards to society that are related to my everyday life. By reading Plato I have personally begun to expand my though process and have learned not to rely solely on my senses. Plato’s Allegory of the Cave brings philosophy’s teachings to the forefront and makes it easy for us readers to understand what philosophy is trying to teach us.
The quest for power is one which has been etched into the minds of men throughout history. However, it can be said that true power is not a result of one’s actions but comes from the following one’s own beliefs without being influenced by others. This principle sets up the story for Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell. The protagonist, Orwell himself, is a sub divisional police officer in Burma, a British colony. Orwell must try to find and use his inner power when he is faced with the decision of whether or not to kill an elephant which has ravaged the Burman’s homes. The state of power established through the imperialistic backdrop show that Orwell, as a colonist, should be in control. As well, the perspective and ideas given by Orwell show his true character and lessen the overall power set up for him. Lastly, the symbols shown are representations of traditional forms of power, but take on different implications in the story. In Shooting an Elephant, George Orwell uses setting, characterization and symbols to show that true power comes from following the dictates of one’s conscience.
Every writer has that one special quirk that keeps readers coming back for more. Whether it is the humor or the characters, most authors carry their quirks from story to story. In “Shooting an Elephant,” George Orwell describes his experience of shooting an elephant. In “A Hanging,” he describes the emotions that run through him as he watches the hanging of a prisoner. Both essays have similar key ideas that identify Orwell as a writer. The results of pride and power contribute to the themes that connect his essays and identify Orwell as a descriptive writer.
3. The Allegory of the Cave tells the story of three men trapped in a cave since birth. They have not seen the outside world or have any knowledge of it. They cannot move, and can only stare at the shadows moving on the wall in front of them, cast by the light of a fire behind them. The prisoners believe that the shadows are real, since they have never seen real objects.