Genre
Fictional Allegory Novel
Setting and Context
The Center, present time
Narrator and Point of View
Cipriano Algor
Tone and Mood
Depressive, Gritty
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist: Cipriano Algor, Antagonist: The Center
Major Conflict
The Center is placed close to Cipriano Algor's pottery, and he is forced to change his work. Then he discovers dead bodies in the basement of the Center.
Climax
When Algor realizes that everyone in the Center are no different than the dead bodies he found in the basement.
Foreshadowing
The book being named "The Cave" is a foreshadowing to the reveal, as it followed Plato's Cave.
Understatement
The separation from the outside world is understated, as it has big consequences towards the end of the book.
Allusions
The entire book is an allusion to Plato’s Cave, where he compares "the effect of education and the lack of it on our nature"
Imagery
The image of Algor following the sound he hears and finally sees the dead bodies hanging facing a blank wall. Instead of feeling dread or disgusted, he says he know how they feel, because he is in the same position.
Paradox
The main paradox discussed in the book is the "goodness" of capitalism. Capitalism seems to be the source of many people's happiness in the book, while Cipriano lost everything because of it.
Parallelism
Parallel lines can be drawn between the original Cave and the one Saramago describes in his book.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
The Center is personified several times, and receives human-like abilities throughout the book in Algor's mind.
