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BOOK VII. And now I will describe in a figure the enlightenment

or unenlightenment of our nature:-Imagine human beings living in

an underground den which is open towards the light; they have

been there from childhood, having their necks and legs chained,

and can only see into the den. At a distance there is a fire, and

between the fire and the prisoners a raised way, and a low wall

is built along the way, like the screen over which marionette

players show their puppets. Behind the wall appear moving

figures, who hold in their hands various works of art, and among

them images of men and animals, wood and stone, and some of the

passers-by are talking and others silent. 'A strange parable,' he

said, 'and strange captives.' They are ourselves, I replied; and

they see only the shadows of the images which the fire throws on

the wall of the den; to these they give names, and if we add an

echo which returns from the wall, the voices of the passengers

will seem to proceed from the shadows.