Allegory Of The Cave
In Plato’s allegory, this is what the chained prisoners believe is “reality.”
What are the shadows on the wall?
The TV segment mentioned in the text is called “CNN’s ______ Report.”
What is the Mark Watney Report?
William’s breakthrough depended on teaching himself from a library book focused on this subject area.
What is physics (especially electricity/generators)?
When the audience knows something a character does not, creating tension.
What is dramatic irony?
This number is irrational and equals the circumference of a circle divided by its diameter.
What is π (pi)?
This physical object creates the shadows the prisoners watch.
What is the fire?
The storm is dangerous because it blocks about this percent of sunlight.
What is 80%?
In his first test, the device produced 12 volts—and this mechanical part failed because of the sudden force.
What is the chain (that snapped)?
A pattern of repeated images/ideas that develops meaning across a text (not the same as theme).
What is a motif?
The line of latitude at 0° that divides Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
What is the Equator?
The prisoners are described as “like ourselves,” meaning they symbolize this group.
Who are ordinary people (human beings) who mistake appearances for truth?
Watney’s only source of energy in the excerpt is this piece of equipment.
What are solar panels?
The first successful “proof” that his windmill could power something ended with this object smoking/being damaged.
What is his father’s radio?
A contrast placed side-by-side to highlight differences (often in characters, settings, or ideas).
What is juxtaposition?
This element has the chemical symbol Fe and is essential in hemoglobin.
What is iron?
When a prisoner is freed, this sensory experience causes pain and confusion at first.
What is the glare of the light (seeing the fire/sun)?
The text measures time on Mars using this term (e.g., “Sol 471”).
What is a sol (a Martian day)?
To prevent future damage, William used copper wire from an old motor to increase this electrical property and lower the output.
What is resistance?
A character designed to highlight or intensify another character’s traits through contrast.
What is a foil?
This imaginary boundary around a black hole marks the point where nothing—not even light—can escape.
What is the event horizon?
In the “world of knowledge,” Plato says this appears last and is hardest to see, yet explains what is true and right.
What is the Idea/Form of the Good?
NASA can’t speak to Watney directly, so the public learns through this method.
What are satellite observations (monitoring satellite data)?
Identify two scrap materials used in the windmill’s construction (not counting the dynamo):
What are any two of a tractor fan, bicycle frame, bamboo, or bottle caps (as washers)?
A narrator whose perspective can’t be fully trusted because of bias, limited knowledge, or deception.
What is an unreliable narrator?
The pH scale measures the concentration of this ion in a solution.
What is the hydrogen ion (H⁺)?