The Allegory of the Cave or Diagnosing and Treating the Ophelia Syndrome

The text is more of the darkened reality of slaves held in captivity against their consent. Fortunately, one among the slaves frees, escaping only to realize that the world outside the cave is way better. The Allegory of the Cave by Plato is a representation of an extended analogy, which conflicts how we believe and perceive things to be a reality in life.

In Diagnosing and Treating the Ophelia Syndrome, we are made to understand how the world influences people into being egocentric and only think about themselves through various means in life. Through the text, Thomas Plummer uses Ophelia as a character to exemplify how we can refuse to believe about ourselves and instead allow ourselves to learn from others through their mentorship (Plummer n p). While reading through the two texts, I have learned that there are a variety of things that can assist us in figuring out our likes and dislikes. Overall, both the Allegory of the Cave or Diagnosing and Treating the Ophelia Syndrome have similarities and differences.

The Allegory of the Cave or Diagnosing and Treating the Ophelia Syndrome both provide insights into the reality that it is crucial to rely on ourselves and not to depend on other people (Levinsohn and David 43). Primarily, depending on other people often results in failures in life, which in turn leas to depression and psychological effects. Another essential similarity is that it is important to explore different possibilities in life and also learn new adventures and new things. Therefore, the two texts help us in exploring the effectiveness of being independent life and never relying on others in learning different aspects of life.

The Diagnosing and Treating the Ophelia Syndrome is a better text to me because of the effectiveness of the Socratic Method in my life so far. One aspect which grabs my attention in this text is the difference in the issue of depiction in Discovered trust. However, practicing self-sufficient is essential in our lives (Plummer n p). Basing on both versions, the protagonists in the readings have challenges when it comes to trusting their consents and relying on others in life. This concept implies that building trust in ourselves helps a great deal in determining many aspects concerning humanity. All the same, the two texts are about discovering our beliefs and confidence in life.

The allegory of the cave is a vital passage as far as the history of western philosophy is about. Plato, in his book, tells allegory concerning education; “it is ultimately about the nature of philosophical education, and it offers an insight into Plato’s view of education.” (Levinsohn and David 43) Mainly, this phrase presents an insight into Plato’s views about education. For instance, he uses the characters in the cave to represent our society. In this book, Plato argues that people are like the prisoners in the cave, only hallucinating about the shadows of life. Furthermore, the cave symbolizes the state in which all human beings start in their lives. Plato adopts the cave to represent the outside world; the world under which things do not seem to match people’s expectations. In general, this reality about life is only discerned by way of reasoning and not through physical senses.

Plummer Thomas, in his book, ‘Diagnosing and Treating the Ophelia Syndrome’ uses Ophelia as a character to state the modern society where many people, mostly students, suffer from the Ophelia Syndrome. Plummer believes that students allow the current generation to influence them on what to do and think. He emphasizes his point saying, “I worry often that universities may be rendering their most serious students…vulnerable to the Ophelia Syndrome rather than motivating them to individuation” (Plummer n p). This phrase is a clear indication that Plummer believes that after several attempts of being told what to do, learn or think, many students tend to still exhibit characteristics of wanting to be taught instead of even reasoning themselves.  Overall, Plummer suggests that we have the ability to overcome Ophelia syndrome.

Comparing the two texts, Diagnosing and Treating the Ophelia Syndrome, is more valuable to me, as one can experience things as what Ophelia goes through. For instance, some people end up not believing in themselves but rather let others do so on their behalf. By analyzing the text, treatment 2 ascertains that trusting and knowing ourselves is just about how we try figuring out what and who we are and what we shall be in the future(Plummer n p). Furthermore, it is until later on when we are a little old that we realize how our actions affected our reasoning in the past. Although Allegory of the Cave is somehow similar to Diagnosing and Treating the Ophelia Syndrome,there is a slight difference regarding how we experience what happens in the real world. Therefore, we can easily make mistakes concerning the reality and truth about life.

In conclusion, the analysis of both the Allegory of the Cave or Diagnosing and Treating the Ophelia Syndrome explores better and new aspects throughout our lives and how difficult life itself can appear. The depiction of trust in the text, ‘Treating and Diagnosing of Ophelia Syndrome,’ captures much of my attention because of the concept of how we should live fulfilling our life expectations.