Final answer:
The cave-dweller typically reacts by feeling confused and disoriented upon encountering the light after exiting the cave, as outlined in Plato's "The Allegory of the Cave." This represents the difficult adjustment to new knowledge and enlightenment that contrasts with the familiarity of ignorance.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the cave-dweller exits the cave and encounters light, the typical reaction is not one of immediate joy or exploration. Instead, the reaction described by Plato in "The Allegory of the Cave" falls closest to option B. The individual is likely to be confused and disoriented, struggling to adjust to the sudden brightness. This is because the person's eyes are not yet accustomed to the natural light, having been adapted to the dimness of the cave. This passage symbolizes the journey of intellectual enlightenment, where initial encounters with new knowledge can be overwhelming and even painful.
As the cave-dweller gradually adjusts to the light, which signifies knowledge in the allegory, they begin to see the world more clearly. Initially, the person sees shadows, then reflections, and eventually actual objects themselves. However, upon returning to the cave with new understanding, this individual may be scorned or rejected by those who have not experienced the light, reflecting the resistance that true enlightenment often encounters within society. The journey from darkness into light, according to Plato, represents the intellectual growth of the individual.