This allegory is used to convey Plato’s attempt to explain what the nature of reality is. It displays the role of the masses, the educated, and reality. The setting takes place in a cave. The people within the cave are chained in such a way that they can only see the cave walls. Behind them are these strange figures that would carry objects and walk behind the people. Because there was a fire, the people could see their shadows. Sometimes the figures speak so they thought that the shadows were speaking. The figures represent reality. The more you can see into the darkness, the brighter you were.
One day, one person breaks free from the chains, sees the fire, and decides to break out. This person sees the figures and walks