The Cave
This series tells Plato's Allegory of the Cave in two stories through a digitally illustrated alphabet. Completed and shared on Instagram as a part of 2018's 36 Days of Type.
![A](img/thecave/a.png)
Sombra is an Allegorian. Allegorians live deep within the earth in a never-ending network of caves.
![B](img/thecave/b.png)
Sol is a Hemelite. The Hemelite tribe flies above the earth in magnificent balloons.
![C](img/thecave/c.png)
Allegorians have everything they need beneath the earth. They have no reason to leave their caves, and so they never do.
![D](img/thecave/d.png)
Hemelites are nomadic. They travel the earth, seeking new knowledge.
![E](img/thecave/e.png)
The Allegorians often see strange shadows cast on the ground of their caves. They give these shadows names, but never look to see what it is that casts them.
![F](img/thecave/f.png)
On a Hemelite’s 16th birthday, it is tradition for her to travel the world on a quest of discovery and self-discovery.
![G](img/thecave/g.png)
While the rest of Sombra’s tribe is alright making up names for the shadows they do not understand, Sombra needs something more.
![H](img/thecave/h.png)
With 16 years behind her, Sol sets off in her little balloon. She floats past the forests of her childhood.
![I](img/thecave/i.png)
Sombra makes his way through the caves, always choosing the path that goes up. He doesn’t know why, but somehow he feels this is where he will find answers.
![J](img/thecave/j.png)
The landscape changes, and Sol recognizes less and less.
![K](img/thecave/k.png)
The path is long and winding, but Sombra’s curiosity drives him forward.
![L](img/thecave/l.png)
After weeks in the air, Sol sees a strange canyon. She wonders about the mysteries within.
![M](img/thecave/m.png)
Sol floats into the darkness, wondering if any of her people have explored these caves before her.
![N](img/thecave/n.png)
At last, Sombra sees something new. Light! His eyes slowly adjust as he climbs upward.
![O](img/thecave/o.png)
Sol studies the landscape beneath her. It becomes more and more alien.
![P](img/thecave/p.png)
At last Sombra emerges fully emerges from the caves. He looks around him – there are so many new sights to see!
![Q](img/thecave/q.png)
At last, Sol sees a place to land her balloon. She lowers herself onto a strange island and follows the path.
![R](img/thecave/r.png)
Sombra follows the path from his cave. He walks without expectation, but not without purpose.
![S](img/thecave/s.png)
The path twists and turns as Sol follows it deeper and deeper.
![T](img/thecave/t.png)
Sombra sees the balloons of the Hemelites floating by and decides to follow them.
![U](img/thecave/u.png)
Sol begins to notice human-made structures, and wonders who lives in this deep, dark place.
![V](img/thecave/v.png)
Sombra follows the balloons over mountains and through valleys.
![W](img/thecave/w.png)
As Sol walks she hears voices, but sees no one.
![X](img/thecave/x.png)
At last, Sombra’s path converges with the strange tribe of balloon-flying folk.
![Y](img/thecave/y.png)
At last, Sol meets the Allegorians. She greets them with excitement. They arrest her without question.
![Z](img/thecave/z.png)
The Hemelites listen to Sombra's stories. They welcome him to their tribe. They give him his own balloon.
![0](img/thecave/0.png)
The Allegorians lead Sol deeper and deeper. She takes a last glimpse up to the sky above the caves and sees her people floating overhead.
![1](img/thecave/1.png)
From his balloon, Sombra can see the many curiosities of the landscape, and how when touched by light, they make shadow.
![2](img/thecave/2.png)
Sol tries to tell her story, but nobody listens. They only lead her deeper and deeper into the caves.
![3](img/thecave/3.png)
Sombra learns about so much more than just shadows. He learns about reflections.
![4](img/thecave/4.png)
The guards escort Sol deeper into the caves. She sees fewer and fewer people, and as the light fades, Sol loses all hope.
![5](img/thecave/5.png)
Sombra sees how plants grow, and how they bend their leaves to face the light.
![6](img/thecave/6.png)
The Allegorians lead Sol down and down and down, into the pit.
![7](img/thecave/7.png)
The more Sombra learns, the more he hopes to discover.
![8](img/thecave/8.png)
The Allegorians leave Sol alone in the pit. This is where her story ends.
![9](img/thecave/9.png)
Sometimes, Sombra will see a crack leading down into the deep, and he wonders why his people never wondered.