22nd Annual Student Research Conference
Shadows, Cinema, and Caves
Mark M. Lambert
Dr. Patricia Burton, Faculty Mentor
You cannot move from your seat, darkness envelopes the cavernous space, images flicker before you, sound echoes about the walls, you are captivated. But are you in a cinema house, or are you in Plato's Cave? Plato's Myth of the Cave and modern cinema necessitated fertile comparison. Inquiry into Plato's Myth of the Cave reveals a connection with his Divided Line and the educational aspirations of ascending from the domain of darkness and opinion into the expanse of light and knowledge. The dichotomy of imitation vs. imitativeness within the realm of art is directly linked to this delineation of opinion and knowledge. With the application of this distinction to film, film proves instrumental concerning the Cave and education in its capacity to send forth patrons transcended and possessors of truth, or to further incarcerate viewers in illusion and shadows.
Keywords: Plato, Cave, Myth, Film
Topic(s):Philosophy & Religion
Art
Art History
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 26-3
Location: VH 1424
Time: 10:15