The Simile of the Cave

The simile invites us to envision the world as a dark cave, with humans inside, trapped like prisoners. All we know are the shadows on a wall in front of us, and the mumblings from the shadows. And once you escape the cave, it is only you that understands a further experience, others may be swayed, but many will be satisfied with that of the cave.

Plato's Cave is meant to urge everyone to stop settling for an unexplored life. Since Plato believed that human beings could eventually free themselves and head upwards to the real world, the simile's bleakness is really meant to be a somewhat motivational wake-up call, to make people understand how limiting and self-defeating an "unexamined life" can be. It's also meant to remind people that they should be aware of everything. By being a skeptical person, you are able to take everything you encounter in life as an opportunity for scrutiny and self-improvement.

Spirit of Place

My spirit of place is the centre of interest in my home town. Lincoln Cathedral is not only the forefront of Lincoln’s history, but it is the foundation of the city’s historical beauty. The gothic beauty of this building is never-ending and you can find yourself looking at all the small details that play a part of the bigger thing, but all contribute to its beauty. The cathedral has power in its history,  it once held the title of tallest building in the world (for 300 years). I associate more with my identity and what this building shows; strength, celebration, beauty.  The trek up Steep Hill, however painful, is almost like a pilgrimage for city folk to come together; especially during the Christmas period, when there is a famous market that is held over three days; it’s a tradition and an opportunity to really appreciate our city and what we have within it. The city has kept its traditional feel and has a variety of independent shops and stands that all play a part in making our city what it is today.