Allegory
What Is Allegory?
An allegory is a story that alludes to other literary works or comments on
common conditions of life. When a work or its passages are allegorical, they are
similar to an event, character or setting in a story that is universally known: a
fable, a parable in the Bible, or a Greek myth. Allegories have two levels of
narration occurring at the same time: the actual events, characters and setting
presented in the story, and the ideas they are intended to convey or the
significance they bear.
Three literary forms that you might use when discussing allegory:
Fable. A fable is a short story, often featuring animals with human traits, to
which writers attach morals or explanations.
Parable. Parables are most often associated with Jesus Christ, who used
them in His teachings. They are short narratives that exemplify religious truths
or insights.
Myth. Myths are stories, either short or long, that are often associated with
religion and philosophy and with various races and cultures. They embody the
social and cultural values of the civilization during which they were written.
When writing about allegory, determine whether all or part of the story is
allegorical.
Sustained allegory. This occurs when a story’s allegory continues
throughout the work, from beginning to end. The sole purpose is to convey
the dominant idea. The idea is emphasized rather than the story’s actual
(literal) details. For example, The Pilgrim’s Progress is a story about
Christian’s difficult journey from his home in the City of Destruction to his new
home in the Heavenly City. But the main idea is about the rigors and trials of
Christian life.
Episodic allegory. This occurs when a story contains an allegorical episode
or passage. The passage is based on both the actual (literal) events in the
story and the allegorical elements. For example, during one scene in the film
“Star Wars,” Darth Vader imprisons Luke Skywalker, and Skywalker must
exert all his skill and strength to get free and to overcome Vader. This
temporary imprisonment signifies those moments of doubt and
discouragement that people experience while trying to overcome obstacles.
