The Analysis of the Matrix Vs the Allegory of the Cave

Neo, from the movie The Matrix directed by Lana Wachowski, is a perfect example of an accidental hero. In the future, a hacker called Neo is contacted by a small group that explain reality as he knows is actually a computer program called the Matrix. Made by an AI, the Matrix hides the truth, allowing humans to live a convincing, simulated life as the machines grow and harvest the people for a source of energy. The leader of the group called Morpheus believes Neo is “The One” someone that will lead humanity to freedom and overthrow the machines.

Lana Wachowski’s The Matrix an allegory of The Allegory of the Cave by Plato.

Both the movie and the book deal with what is real. This question has been explored by philosophers since the dawn of man. In the Matrix Morpheus asks Neo a question with great important “What is real?” since Neo is trapped in a false reality created by an AI when machines took over the planet. In The allegory of the Cave prisoners are restrained in a way that they cannot observe anything other than a blank wall in front of them. These both show how a limited perception can skew an understanding of reality and have limited access to any greater truth.

In The Matrix the “prisoners have a choice whether to remain in prison which is show in the two pills, one which will let you live in ignorance. “The story ends, you wake up in your bed believing what ever you want. Take the red pill, you stay in wonder land and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.” (30 minutes movies) Cypher was born into the Matrix but after being set free, like a prisoner in the cave seeing fire for the first time, the real world proves unbearable and he tries to find away back into the Matrix. In The Allegory of the Cave once you are set free you cant go back, you gain the truth.

Neo ends up taking the red pill to see more of the truth of his plight, ending up with him waking to the real world. Waking up he finds his muscles have atrophied and his eyes hurt. Morpheus tells Neo “You’ve never used them before.” Neo takes time to adapt to this new world and ends up accepting the truth even if his mind is not conditioned to believe it. Plato suggests that a prisoner taken out of the cave against his will is overwhelmed by the light of the sun and it takes a lot to get used to this new world.

The Matrix and the Allegory of the Cave both are useful to explore the nature of discovery and how perception and reality are linked. Both stories show human resistance to a worldview which is counter to their existing. They also have a desire to share when someone finds new knowledge. This depiction of enlightenment and imprisonment are both effective and shows that the most powerful prisons are ones of our own making.

Did you like this example?

3379

141