An allegory is a literary device in which characters, events, and details symbolically represent abstract ideas, moral concepts, or philosophical themes. They are arguably the oldest form of literature. Cultures across several countries continents and centuries apart have stories or tales that teach a moral lesson using a tale.
These tales often feature talking animals, objects, and magic. The best ones are well told and feature the aspects of well-written literature, such as surprise endings or a twist in addition to the moral being told. A famous example is Aesop's fables. Aesop was an ancient storyteller from Ancient Greece who told tales featuring exotic animals. Here is an example of one of these stories:
Two Travelers and a Bear. Two Men were traveling together through a forest, when, suddenly, a huge Bear appeared out of the bushes near them. One of the Men, thinking of his own safety, quickly climbed up a tree. The other, lacking confidence that he could take on a bear all by himself, threw himself on the ground and lay still, playing dead. He had remembered hearing that bears would not touch a dead body. This may have had some truth to it because the bear sniffed his head for a short while. Then, seeming to be sure that he was dead, walked off. The man who had climbed the tree came down. He was curious and asked, "It looked like that bear whispered something in your ear. What did he say to you?" The other man answered , "He said that it was altogether unwise to keep company with a man who would abandon his friend in moments of danger."
This tale tells a moral and adds some action, suspense, and mystery to boot. The point of the story is obvious: "Do not abandon friends in times of trouble." However, for a brief moment, we had no idea if the man left to fend for himself would end up being a bear snack or make it out alive. His quick-wittedness in playing dead makes him interesting.
Also, there is something brilliant about how Aesop offers us the perspective of the man looking from the tree. We are reading the story and know that the bear is simply sniffing the man's head. Aesop doesn't waste time explaining beforehand that it looks as if the bear is talking to the man. Instead, he puts these words directly in the mouth of the friend asking the question. This is a good example of effective and efficient storytelling.
Why do writers use allegory?
Writers use allegory for several reasons, primarily to explore abstract themes in a more engaging and relatable way. However, the main point of using allegory is to teach a moral or philosophical lesson. In modern literature, there are numerous examples of writers taking the allegorical tale and embellishing it to create great literature.
Let's take a look at the ways writers use allegory:
1. Allegory addresses complex moral questions in a seemingly harmless way. It is used to address complex philosophical, moral, political, or spiritual questions. Through symbolic representation, it allows writers to critique societal norms, question authority, or advocate for change without overtly stating their positions.
2. Allegory also offers a timeless quality to stories. Because the underlying themes often address universal truths, allegorical works remain relevant across generations, resonating with diverse audiences.
3. Allegory serves as a teaching tool. In literature, it can communicate lessons, inspire introspection, or guide readers toward self-awareness. Religious and moral allegories, such as John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress, aim to instruct readers on ethical living and spiritual growth.
In other cases, political allegories, like George Orwell’s Animal Farm, shed light on power dynamics and societal flaws, provoking critical thought about the systems governing our lives.
Examples of allegory
Below are examples of famous allegories:
Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy. This epic poem is an allegory of the soul’s journey toward God. Dante’s descent into Hell, climb through Purgatory, and ascent to Paradise symbolize the spiritual struggles of human life and the ultimate quest for salvation.
George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Orwell’s novella is a political allegory critiquing the Russian Revolution and the rise of totalitarianism. The animals on the farm represent historical figures and ideologies, illustrating how power corrupts and revolutions can betray their original ideals.
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave. Found in The Republic, Plato’s allegory describes prisoners in a cave who perceive shadows on a wall as reality. It symbolizes humanity’s ignorance and the philosopher’s journey to enlightenment and truth.
Allegory might be useful in teaching moral lessons. However, there is the danger of it being overly moralistic and simple. In addition, the author should be careful to balance the symbols that their characters represent and the depth and credibility of the characters in their stories.
Very often, the depth and credibility of characters are sacrificed in the name of proving an allegorical moral. When carrying out character analysis and literary analysis, always make sure to comment on how well you think the author balances these two things.
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Cite this EminentEdit article |
Antoine, M. (2024, November 17). What Is Allegory? https://www.eminentediting.com/post/what-is-allegory |
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