Theory of Knowledge
The theory claimed that knowledge gained through the senses is an opinion and for people to possess the actual knowledge, it is paramount to achieve it through philosophical reasoning (Duarte 70).
The Allegory of the Cave
In this article, Plato offers a distinction between people who confuse their senses knowledge with truth and those who see the fact. As such, he provided an example of a cave with three prisoners whose arms and legs were bound to the rocks, and the heads tied so that the only thing they could see was the stonewall in front. Due to having remained in the cave since birth, the captives had never seen the outside world. Additionally, there is fire behind them and a raised walkway between their resting places. The people outside the cave walk along carrying various items including animals, wood and stones on their heads.
The Game of Guessing Shadows
Plato further requests people to imagine they are the prisoners and should start a game of guessing which shadow will appear next. Therefore, any correct guess portrays the prisoner as bright and brand him a master of mature. One of the prisoners later escapes from the buildings and leaves the cave. Upon discovering the outside world, he cannot believe it is real (Duarte 88). And realize that the former reality view was wrong. He later goes to the cave and informs the others of his discovery. Indeed, the shadows in people’s lives make it challenging to see reality and cling to unworthy things. Additionally, the transition from darkness to light is a process that depends on various individuals perceptions.
The Passages
“Those who are able to see beyond the shadows and lies of their culture will never be understood, let alone believed, by the masses.”
In this passage, Plato was trying to portray the importance of having open minds and seeing things from different perspectives. The author was also encouraging people to be willing to explore beyond their current positions to enhance their life views. Rather than living in the shadows of ignorance, it would be better to expand a person’s knowledge and approach towards various issues.
Tan's Experience with Language
The passage reflects in Tan's experience with English as a Chinese, and the struggles she had to undergo with her mother. Since the mother could not speak English as coherently as the native speakers and educated people, she often had to make explanations in some situations to avoid embarrassment and ensure that they received quality service. The process of going from darkness into the light of knowledge is vital in everyone’s life. Such is evident in tans Mother Tongue where the author and her mother originated from China but could speak English. However, Tan's dialect was better than her mothers, and she was always responsible for ensuring that they both received. She also revealed that her mother’s English would shame her and people would not take her seriously due to the quality of the English.
Due to the broken English, the attendants at the drug stores and pretended that they could not understand or did not hear her. As such, she never received quality service. With these observations in mind, the writer decided to envision a reader in her stories, and so she chose her mother. She used terms that her mother could read and gave her the opportunity to analyze the book and later commented that it was easy to understand (Tan 10). As such, she had achieved her goal of seeing beyond her culture and learning new things which would make it possible for others to understand her. Her mother’s appreciation was also a reflection of a better future with more knowledge and wisdom.
The Idea of Good
“In the world of knowledge, the idea of good appears last of all, and is seen only with effort.”
In this passage, Plato was passing the information that it is not easy to identify what is good initially. However, it appears after putting more effort and scrutinizing situations more. Its application in Tans Mother Tongue is evident where the author later realizes the need to appreciate her mother’s broken English and try to get better by coming up with something she could read and comprehend. I think my mother’s English almost affected limiting my possibilities in life as well (Tan 15). The quote is an indication that the writer felt uncomfortable with her mother’s English and did not know how to handle the situation. Although the peers influence a person’s language development, the writer thinks the language in families, particularly the immigrant ones affects the child’s speaking skills to a large extent.
Conclusion
The shadows emanating from perceptions and realities tend to blind people and make them behave in contrary ways. However, the acquisition of enlightenment is vital because it facilitates the understanding process and encourages individuals to take the necessary actions to uplift their situations. Plato observed that in the knowledge worlds, the idea of good appears last and can only be recognizable after putting a lot of effort. Therefore, people might overlook what they need due to the perception that it is available elsewhere.
Works Cited
Duarte, Eduardo. "Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave.”" Being and Learning. SensePublishers, Rotterdam, 2012. 69-106.
Tan, Amy. "Mother tongue." Enriching ESOL Pedagogy: Readings and Activities for Engagement, Reflection, and Inquiry, by Vivian Zamel, Ruth Spack. Lawrence Erlbaum(2002)
