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allegory

noun

/ˈælɪɡəri/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of allegory

A literary device in which characters, events, and settings are used to symbolize a deeper or hidden meaning, often a moral or political message.
"The Tortoise and the Hare' is an allegory about the perils of overconfidence."

Detailed meaning of allegory

An allegory is a type of extended metaphor, where the entire story or poem functions as a representation of an abstract concept or idea. The symbolism used in an allegory is usually intentional and carefully crafted, with each element serving to represent a specific idea or concept. Allegories can be found in a wide range of literary works, including fables, myths, and religious texts. Some examples of famous allegories include George Orwell's "Animal Farm," which uses a group of farm animals to represent the Russian Revolution and the rise of Soviet communism, and John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress," which uses the journey of a Christian pilgrim to represent the spiritual journey of all believers. Overall, allegory is a powerful tool for communicating complex ideas and messages in a way that is both engaging and accessible to readers.

Example sentences containing allegory

1. "Animal Farm" is an allegory of the Russian Revolution.
2. Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" explores enlightenment.
3. "The Lord of the Flies" serves as an allegory for human nature.
4. "The Tortoise and the Hare" is an allegory of perseverance.
5. "Pilgrim's Progress" is an allegorical Christian journey.
6. Orwell's "1984" is a cautionary allegory of totalitarianism.

History and etymology of allegory

The noun 'allegory' has its etymological origins in Greek and Latin. It stems from the Greek word 'allegoria,' which means 'speaking otherwise' or 'figurative language.' This term was later borrowed into Latin as 'allegoria,' where 'al-' denotes 'other' or 'different,' and 'legere' means 'to gather' or 'to choose.' In the context of literature, an allegory involves using characters, events, and settings to symbolize deeper or hidden meanings, typically conveying moral or political messages. The etymology of 'allegory' encapsulates this concept of speaking or conveying a message in a figurative or symbolic manner, where the surface narrative serves as a vehicle for conveying a more profound, often allegorical, meaning beneath the literal text.

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Further usage examples of allegory

1. "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" is an allegory of good vs. evil.
2. Kafka's "The Metamorphosis" is an allegory of alienation.
3. "The Matrix" serves as a modern allegory for reality and control.
4. "The Crucible" is an allegory of McCarthyism and hysteria.
5. "The Faerie Queene" is an allegorical epic poem.
6. "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is an allegory of dual nature.
7. "The Wizard of Oz" contains allegorical elements.
8. "The Scarlet Letter" is an allegory of sin and redemption.
9. Aesop's fables are filled with allegorical lessons.
10. "The Giver" is an allegory of a dystopian society.
11. "The Picture of Dorian Gray" explores moral allegory.
12. "Lord of the Rings" has allegorical elements of war and power.
13. "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" is an allegorical journey.
14. "Brave New World" is an allegory of a controlled society."Lord
15. of the Flies" is a powerful allegory about the destructive nature of power.
16. "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" is an allegory for the Christian story of redemption.
17. "The Wizard of Oz" is an allegory for the Populist movement in American politics.
18. "The Matrix" is an allegory for the struggle between freedom and control.
19. "The Masque of the Red Death" is an allegory about the inevitability of death.
20. "The Emperor's New Clothes" is an allegory about the dangers of vanity and foolishness.
21. "Animal Farm" is a biting allegory about the dangers of totalitarianism.
22. "The Pilgrim's Progress" is an allegory about the journey of the human soul.
23. "The Faerie Queene" is an allegory about the virtues and vices of humanity.
24. "The Divine Comedy" is an allegory about the journey of the human soul through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise.
25. "The Allegory of the Cave" is a philosophical allegory about the nature of reality and perception.