John Clay Jr

English 101
Ms. DeRusha
What Illusions can bring us?
In Platos Allegory of the Cave, Socrates illustrates the illusions society lives
in, this is deeply illustrated in Frederick Douglasss excerpt Learning to Read and
Write. The Allegory describes men inside a cave, chained down from their neck and
legs. Only being able to see straight, they have no ability to move their heads around.
Behind them is fire which casts large shadows of puppets in front of them. Being totally
oblivious to their surroundings, all the prisoners know and focus on are the shadows.
Socrates then describes how another man comes in to liberate his peer from the
bondage of his chains. Once the man is set free, he turns around dazed to see the light
of his cave and environment. As he walks closer to the light, he suffers temporary pains,
after enduring the pains he learns truth about himself and the world.
As he walks out of the cave, more confident of his reality and light, he begins
to feel enlightened, and becomes happy with his environment. With his newfound
knowledge of self-realization, he returns to the darkness of the cave to reveal the truth
about the prisoners realities. When his chained peers listen to his words of openness

and light, they reject and ridicule his words. Taking the rejection, the man realizes for
them to see the truth, they must experience it in their own way, if ever to be awakened
from their deep slumber of illusion. This mans journey in the Allegory of the Cave
shows that most people are held by limited views and perceptions, which blinds them
from seeing the truth. Socrates theory in Platos allegory plays out numerous times in
Douglasss experiences. His theory was once you become enlightened and see he truth
not only do you not want to go back, but you want to share it with others. This plays our
greatly in Douglasss experience. Douglass was at first blind and ignorant because of
his lack of knowledge in reading and slavery. Once he starts to learn and read more he
becomes enlightened and aware of his surroundings. Furthermore, after he found out
the truth about his existence, his feeling was to act on it. This shows that once Douglass
was led down this path, not only did he chose to never go back but he wanted to do
something about his reality. Showing Socrates theory in Platos allegory played out
exactly as expected in Douglass life and experiences

Douglass and Socrates stories are very much intertwined, not just by their
enlightenment, but by ignorance. In each story, both men start out as ignorant, thinking
only to accept the knowledge given to them, not knowing there is vast more out there. In
the allegory, men are trapped in cave, with their neck and legs chained down. They are

led to believe that their society is just the cave ad its shadows. Their ignorance makes
them prisoners, prisoners who are trapped in societys false reality. Socrates states, To
them... the truth would be literally nothing but the shadows of the images (480).
Everything given to them is an illusion. Their bondage in mental slavery is displayed by
the shadows. Similarly, before Douglasss enlightenment, his society is just as
dumbfounded as the men in Socrates story. In Douglasss era, the slave masters are
the ones blinded by their own ignorance, and unfortunately, Douglass is a victim of this
ignorance. The ultimate ignorance from there era is slavery. Douglass captures the
narrow-minded views of this time: It is almost an unpardonable offence to teach slaves
to read in a Christian country (70). Douglass examination, shows the contradiction of
morals during his time. Both stories, show how society can be trapped in ignorant views.
Recognizing ignorance is the first step to enlightenment. Like any problem,
acknowledging is half the battle. In Socrates and Douglas stories, both experienced the
problem before the solution. In both instances, to recognize the problem, someone or
something had to awaken both mens eyes out of ignorance. In Socrates story, a man
enters the cave and guides a prisoner out of his own ignorance and into a new light.
Socrates states about the freed prisoner, he is reluctantly dragged up a steep and
rugged ascent, and held fast until he is forced into the presence of the sun (480). This
quote shows that someone has to help the prisoner become free. For Douglass, it was

the opportunity to learn to read. Douglass explains, Mistress in teaching me the

alphabet, had given the inch, and no precaution could prevent me from taking the ell
(70). This quote shows how his acquisition of reading also leads out of ignorance slowly.
Both stories show ignorance, but its about how a person may need an initial push out
of ignorance. Even if he takes it upon himself to complete the journey.
Learning something new can always be painful, especially if its something that
can change peoples outlook on life, whether its a comment, idea, or task. People are
uncomfortable with new ideas because they dont want to abandon their old ones. Its a
part of human nature to fear the unknown. We want to be comfortable with ourselves.
We dont want to experience or take risks. Like in Socrates story. The man in the cave
was set free, and led outside. As he sees the radiant sun from the cave he becomes
blinded. He also becomes afraid of the new world around him. Socrates states, When
the freed prisoner looks towards the light, he will suffer sharp pains; the glare will
distress him (480). The quote perfectly displays what it means to accept a new way or
idea. Especially In the allegory. Douglasss story shows the exact same concept.
Realizing the reality around him after he obtained the ability to read. Knowing that the
reality perceived to him was false. This symbolized to him the first and greatest
epiphany of not only his existence, but what exists around him. Douglass states, As I
writhed under it, I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than

a blessing. It had given me a view of my wretched condition, without the remedy (7172). This confirms the pain he felt from learning the truth. He states that it did him more
harm than good, in the beginning. Both stories show the pain and trials of accepting not
only a new idea, but a new way to accept reality.
The next to learning anything is through process. People have to get comfortable
before taking a risk with anything. You have to take one step at a time. Everything
comes down to how well it fits with that person. Like learning a new sport, or new
activity. In their own time, they become slowly acquiesced with it. Its the same thing in
Socrates and Douglasss stories . The freed prisoner in the allegory went through a
process. He first became more comfortable looking at the shadows, the reflections in
the water, the night sky, and then finally the sun. The prisoner took small, but great
leaps. Socrates states, At first he will see... (480). From being blinded by the sun and
afraid of the light, to slowly accepting the outside environment around him. The prisoner
was finally able to see what the old man was showing him. Observing the Allegory, the
prisoners process was fortunately quick and not very painful. Douglasss on the other
hand took years. He had to slowly endure experiences from different parts of his life. For
example, the mistress, the local kids, shipyard, and Master Hughs books. Each part
played some meaningful role in Douglasss life. They were all a part of his personal
process. Douglass states, After a long tedious effort for years, I finally succeeded in

learning how to write (74). This quote explains that he recognized his process and after
many years his result was writing. Both stories explain the same thing but in different
ways. Everyone has their own process, but in the end achieve the same goal of
knowledge.
The greatest thing after accepting new idea is what comes after. Enlightenment.
The ability to understand what the person just saw and how it deeply touches them. It
changes not only there view on the world, but how they see it. Their perspective. Thats
the greatest feeling for anyone. Being able to actually see something in there own way. It
actually touching them. Socrates and Douglass stories both felt this deeply. Each
impacting them again, in their own gradual, but momentous ways. For Socrates, the
man was finally able to see the world around him. He became accustomed to what is.
This allowed him to explore, try new things and ultimately open up his mind. He wasnt
close minded anymore. He wasnt afraid. He was happy. Socrates states When the
freed prisoner is able to see and understand the sun, he will be able to see the sun,
and not mere reflections of the sun in the water, but he will see him in his own proper
place, and not another; and he will contemplate him as he is (481). This beautiful quote
explains not only the importance of enlighten, but how it affects the individual. Being
able to finally see their own place in the world. Douglasss has the same experience
during his journey. Since he was in slavery, his enlightenment was being able to see

freedom. He was able to see that his life isnt just the way it is. He could achieve
something much greater; Freedom. This not only touched his soul but gave him
supreme hope for the future. Douglass states, The silver trump of freedom had roused
my soul to eternal wakefulness. Freedom now appeared, to disappear no more forever.
It was heard in every sound, and seen in everything (72). This explains that his
experience finally hit him, and his enlightenment was freedom. Both stories show that.
Enlightenment is a common process that can be achieved through very different
journeys.
The greatest thing about enlightenment is passion. Once the person has the
passion of understanding, it cant be stopped. In both stories this is very much true.
Socrates and Douglasss. The prisoner in Socrates story wanted to share his experience
with his fellow peers. Same with Douglass and fighting for freedom. Their goal was to
people them see the greatness in knowledge and enlightenment. He didnt want them
stuck in the darkness of ignorance. Socrates states, The freed prisoner who is
enlightened is compelled to fight in court of laws, or in other places, about the images
or the shadows of images of injustice (482). This shows the prisoner wanted to fight for
light and also the knowledge of whats right. Douglasss story was the same case. Once
he saw the qualities of freedom, he wanted his fellow slaves to experience it. Douglass
states, When he learns of abolitionism, he drew near. Expecting to hear something of

importance to himself and fellow-slaves (73). This shows that Douglass wanted
everyone to experience freedom. Both stories show the compassion one has for
enlightenment and to share it.
Sharing your ideas can potentially be dangerous. Whether your enlightened or
not. Socrates and Douglasss stories and perfect examples of this. The prisoner in
Socrates story runs back to the cave to tell his fellow peers. When his peers reject his
insight of knowledge they threaten to kill him. Socrates states, The prisoners still in the
cave find the freed prisoner and his story ridiculous (481). Not only does this show a
rejection of knowledge, but ignorance of ones self. Douglas story shows the same thing.
When he tries to fight for abolitionism people still try to reject him. Douglass states, To
learn to read and write he was compelled to resort of various stratagems (69). This
shows people will still reject your ideas and views even if you show compassion with
enlightenment.
These stories sum up the importance of one thing knowledge. They not only
show knowledge they show the experience and learning process it takes. It shows that
everyones process is different but, in the end they all attain the same thing.
Enlightenment.