Emerson believed that imitation of someone else would result in being accepted by the crowd and finally belonging. others becoming jealous of your talents. a figurative death of the creative and unique self. becoming a great man or woman.

Write about three symbols that you find in the story and what each symbol means. the meaning should be on the topic of knowledge vs. ignorance, the relationship of knowledge to freedom, and both the good and bad associated with gaining knowledge. use this example as a model for your "the prisoner who is set free and leaves the cave represents a person who gains knowledge, and his experiences show both the positive and negative effects of learning something new." write about what you think plato is trying to tell us about knowledge vs. ignorance and the relationship of knowledge to freedom in this story. be sure to include what he says about the cost (the pain).