Allegory
By: Taniya Kalathara
Define Allegory:
An allegory is a figure of speech in which characters, settings, and events are used to describe an abstract idea/principle.
- Typically contain a moral or lesson
- Can sometimes be classified as an extended metaphor
Types of Allegories:
- Fable
- Parable
Function:
- Writers use allegory to add different layers of meanings to their works
- Makes their stories and characters multidimensional, so that they stand for something larger in meanings than what they literally stand for
Examples in Literature:
Animal Farm:
- The farm governed by animals stands to represent the communist regime of Stalin in Russia before the Second World War.
- The pigs symbolize the government
- The dogs represent the police force
- The rest of the animals symbolize the working class
Lord of the Flies:
- The island represents the whole world
- Ralph's conch-led Parliament represents a democratic government
- Jack's tribalism represents autocratic government
- Piggy represents the forces of rationalism, science, and intellect
- Simon represents a kind of natural morality
Works Cited
- "Allegory - Definition and Examples of Allegory." Literary Devices. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2014. <http://literarydevices.net/allegory/>.
- "Compare Lord of the Flies by William Golding vs Animal Farm by George Orwell." Lord of the Flies by William Golding vs Animal Farm by George Orwell. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2014. <http://classic-literature.findthebest.com/compare/6-9/Lord-of-the-Flies-vs-Animal-Farm>.
- Howard, Maria. "Allegory in Literature." Education Portal. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2014. <http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/allegory-in-literature-history-definition-examples.html>
- Shmoop Editorial Team. "Allegory in Lord of the Flies Page 1." Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 22 Sept. 2014. <http://www.shmoop.com/lord-of-the-flies/big-massive-allegory-symbol.html>.
- "Symbolism and Allegory." N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2014. <https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDAQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.madera.k12.ca.us%2Fcms%2Flib04%2FCA01001210%2FCentricity%2FDomain%2F91%2FSymbolism%2520and%2520Allegory%2520ppt.%25201.pptx&ei=DMEgVMC_IcPOggSj1YLYAQ&usg=AFQjCNF8EA-LfWdBRDyQXlts-4oKAC9SwQ&sig2=U0-Lweka43if1J4QjCSkAw&bvm=bv.75775273,d.b2U>.