Similarities Between The Matrix And The Allegory Of The Cave

The Matrix vs. Allegory of the Cave “Do not try to bend the spoon instead, realize there is no spoon”. That spoon is a part of the matrix which is just as fake as the spoon so in a sense “There is no spoon” is a clever way of telling Neo there is no matrix. The Matrix was created by the Wachowski brothers who wanted to create a unique view of the world and have their audience dive into the philosophical question, what is real? Yet, this isn’t the first time this question has been used to create an interesting story. In Plato’s Allegory of the Cave he presents the reader with prisoners who have never experienced the world outside of shadows on a cave wall. When one of those prisoners is freed he slowly adapts to the real world and eventually …show more content…
In The Matrix it is revealed to Neo that the matrix is a computer program that keeps the majority of humanity suspended in a false perception of reality in order to use them as batteries. The matrix is the ultimate puppeteer showing and engaging people in a false reality in order to ensure they never wake up and discover the real world. Likewise in Allegory the puppeteers who use puppets and other objects to produce shadows for the prisoners to see are in control. They control the entirety of the prisoners perceived world much like the matrix they are the ones in control of the prisoners world and are the source for the prisoners reality. Once the prisoners escape the control of these puppet masters that they are able to see the world and experience reality for what it truly …show more content…
A major difference can be found when analyzing Neo’s decision of taking the red pill or the blue pill. As opposed to the prisoners in Allegory Neo is presented with a choice take the blue pill and return to his systematic life in the matrix or as Morpheus puts it “You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.” This is very different from the Allegory because those prisoners were never offered a choice but were just set free and then “reluctantly dragged up a steep and rugged ascent.” The prisoners in Allegory were forced to experience the real world whereas Neo was given a choice. Neo decided to take the red pill and learn the truth. We could feel sympathy for the prisoners in the Allegory because they never chose to be freed and forced to experience the real world similar to how they never chose to be imprisoned. Neo on the other hand had the choice not to be imprisoned, but to be freed. Neo wanted the truth and was willing to give up everything he had for it. This choice makes The Matrix’s story different from the Allegory of the