Plato's Allegory of the Cave, and Sartre's No Exit are both allegories that connect an abstract idea to a real life example through an extended metaphor. In Allegory of the Cave, Plato compares a cave to a life lacking truth, and the prisoners aren't able to leave the cave and find the sun, or the ultimate truth. It shows that we often only see a perceived reality and accept that, instead of venturing for truth and knowledge. In No Exit, three people are in a drawing room, where they must deal with each others' personalities. At first they don't want to admit their wrong doings, but eventually they do, coming to the conclusion that "hell is other people." The three characters are driving themselves crazy due to their own issues in their heads.
Sartre believed that everyone has the ability to become who they want to be, but it is up to them to make the right decisions or to act in a certain way as to reach their full potential. It can't be given to them. This idea is very similar to Plato's. In the cave, the prisoners didn't know any better, and didn't want to know any better. They were fine where they were because of their chains, whether the chain be laziness, fear, or comfort. In No Exit, the characters are fearful of the others judging them, or what is perceived of them. In both cases, they are afraid of taking responsibility of their actions and their lives, so they decide rather to live in a dull place where nothing of value can occur.
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