Allegory Definition: an extended narrative in which the characters, setting, and plot represent both a concrete meaning and a symbolic meaning
Allegory - Read Between the Lines
Allegory comes from the Greek and Latin term, allegoria, which means “speaking otherwise”, or “veiled language”. An allegory has two meanings: a literal meaning, and a figurative, often symbolic, meaning. Allegories are a common way for an author to address a real-life event, political climate, or person in a way that holds a deeper meaning. The purpose of an allegory is to criticize, satirize, politicize, or instruct on a moral or religious matter. The main characters are often personified animals or abstract concepts, such as Death and Love.
Traditionally, allegories are split into three categories: moral allegory, political allegory, and religious allegory. A moral allegory, like Edgar Allan Poe’s “Masque of the Red Death”, addresses an ethical question about the rich using their wealth to try to cheat death. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Miller takes aim at the blacklisting and senate hearings against suspected Communists in the McCarthy era in the 1940s and 1950s, likening it to the “witch hunts” of Salem. In religious allegories like Dante’s Inferno, a symbolic journey into Hell is undertaken by the main character (Dante himself) in order to better understand his own relationship with God and to purify himself of sin. Allegories can also be found in artwork, where symbols are depicted to represent deeper meanings throughout the painting. This was especially popular in the Medieval and Renaissance eras for religious purposes.
Allegory Examples in Literature
Moral Allegory
Political Allegory
Religious Allegory
- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
- Inferno
- “Young Goodman Brown”
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How Tos about What is Allegory?
Engage students with an allegory analysis activity
Choose a simple allegory story that relates to your lesson theme. Stories like 'The Tortoise and the Hare' or 'The Lion and the Mouse' work well for grades 2–8.
Guide students to identify symbols and their meanings
Ask students to list key characters, objects, or events and discuss what they might represent. Encourage students to think about deeper meanings beyond the literal plot.
Facilitate a group discussion about the allegory’s message
Lead a conversation where students share their ideas about the story’s lesson. Prompt them to connect the allegory to real-life situations or classroom values.
Create a visual representation of the allegory
Have students draw or diagram the story showing how each symbol connects to the allegory’s message. This helps visual learners understand abstract concepts.
Encourage reflection through creative writing
Ask students to write a short paragraph explaining what they learned from the allegory and how its message applies to their own lives. This reinforces comprehension and personal connection.
Frequently Asked Questions about What is Allegory?
What is an allegory in literature?
An allegory is a story, poem, or picture that uses symbolic characters and events to represent deeper meanings or abstract ideas, often teaching a moral or lesson.
Can you give examples of famous allegories?
Classic examples of allegories include George Orwell’s Animal Farm, which represents political systems, and Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, symbolizing enlightenment and truth.
How do teachers explain allegory to students?
Teachers often introduce allegory by sharing simple stories or fables, highlighting how characters and events stand for bigger ideas, and encouraging students to find these hidden meanings.
What is the difference between allegory and metaphor?
An allegory is an extended narrative with multiple symbolic elements, while a metaphor is a direct comparison between two unrelated things within a sentence or phrase.
Why are allegories important for students to learn?
Learning about allegories helps students develop critical thinking, interpret deeper meanings in texts, and understand how stories can reflect real-world issues or values.
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