The Things We See Are Merely Shadows

567 Words3 Pages
In Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" and J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, both authors share the idea that we are chained. Until we are unchained, we will believe in what we see and hear. Plato talks about how being chained for so long can have many consequences, but at the same time, you can still gain a vast amount of knowledge, while Rowling tells about how the things you hear and see aren't always the full truth for the truth is hidden in memories. Because the things we see are merely shadows, we must embrace the darkness for answers. Most people live their life with a cloud over their eyes. They refuse to accept the truth and believe what they want. In the "Allegory of the Cave," people see reality as the visible world, when reality is more than what meets the eyes. "Here they have been from their childhood and have their legs and necks chained so that they cannot move, and can only see before them." (Plato) The prisoners are chained, unable to see elsewhere , but with fire, they can see shadows and begin to accept that as reality. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, Harry believes that he can save the world just by following simple instructions and enduring several hardships, even though there's much more to it."Okay, there's something we need to find, something hidden here in the castle, and it may help us defeat You-Know-Who." (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) He is told that all he needs to is find the horcruxes and destroy them and then all he has to do is fight. The truth has the power to set you free, even if it hurts. "You've kept him alive so that he can die at the proper moment." (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) Harry had been searching for answers all his life, but after going into the pensieve, Harry realizes that innocent people were dying all for him, when in the end, he must take in the harsh reality and die.
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