Theme & SymbolIntermediate
Allegory
A narrative whose literal elements systematically carry abstract meaning.
Principle
Allegory turns story into a second-order argument.
Takeaways
- Characters, places, and events often correspond to ideas or institutions.
- It differs from symbol by its sustained system of meaning.
- Too rigid an allegory can become diagram rather than drama.
Overview
Allegory is an extended mode of meaning in which the visible story points consistently toward another level of moral, political, spiritual, or philosophical significance.
Examples
- A journey through named temptations stages a spiritual education.
- An animal society represents political revolution and its betrayals.