Have you ever heard the story of Plato’s Cave about a community of citizens who live out their entire lives huddled together in a dark cave deep beneath the earth? All are chained & must stare forever forward at the cave wall in front of them onto which images are continually projected from an unknown source. Naturally, for trust is at the heart of human nature - the citizens take these images for real.

Totally engrossed & mesmerised no one thinks to investigate the source of the images - which in truth are merely shadows fashioned by skilled puppeteers who animate them by virtue of the light of hidden fire which glows behind them.

 But then one day - for secrets always, always find their way to the light no matter hard we might try to keep them,  one of the citizens slips her chains, wanders away from the group and somehow, somehow - perhaps it is her destiny; finds her way up to the surface - to the warmth and bright light of the sun above. And suddenly the dark spell of the puppeteers is broken and as her eyes adjust to the new light she sees the beauty of the world above -  feels the soft breeze of her face - the dewy grass beneath her feet -  and she is utterly enraptured.

she proclaims & straight away returns to the cave full to the brim of childlike wonder. But when she arrives - no one has the slightest desire to hear her tale. She appears strange and odd to her fellows - like one deluded. Yet undeterred by their disinterest she continues on & on extolling the truth & beauty of the sunilt world above – the unreality of the shadows - the folly of their distorted perceptions - and she pleads with them over & over to come see for themselves.

But not one of the citizens is tempted to follow her. Some feel downright insulted - who does she think she is - making a mockery of our entire existence? She must be silenced some say - & very soon, plots begin to put her to death.

We don’t know what happened in the end - it’s left unscripted, undone - unended - maybe it was the authors hope that each of us might choose.
 
Plato fashioned this tale around 380 BCE. It is regarded as one of the most significant passages of The Republic - a corner stone of Western Literature.

It was pertinent then. It is pertinent now!

Which ending will we choose?

Anne Maria Clarke
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