Allegory
Meaning beneath story
An allegory is a story, poem, or picture in which characters and events represent abstract ideas or moral qualities, creating a second level of meaning beneath the surface narrative.
Animal Farm is an allegory of the Russian Revolution, with pigs standing in for Soviet leaders.
Unlike simple metaphors, allegories extend through an entire work, sustaining parallel meanings throughout.
The adjective allegorical describes works or interpretations that operate on this symbolic level.
Instructive allegorical narrative
- fableMoral tale with animals
- metaphorImplied identity comparison
- symbolismRepresenting concepts through images
- narrativeAccount of events
Aesop · Pilgrim's Progress · moral · tale · personification · didactic · Animal Farm · extended metaphor
Pigment on canvas
- BotticelliQuattrocento painter from Florence
- RenaissanceEuropean cultural reawakening
- iconographyAnalysis of artistic symbols
- symbolic imageryPictures representing abstract concepts
fresco · Bruegel · vanitas · personification · tableau · mural · emblem · classical
Satirical novella about rebellion
- satireMockery exposing vice
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- revolutionViolent governmental overthrow
Orwell · totalitarianism · commentary · dissent · critique · power · corruption · censorship
Allegorical journey to salvation
- EverymanArchetypal human figure
- DanteItalian epic poet
- Divine ComedyItalian allegorical verse trilogy
- salvationDeliverance from harm
morality play · biblical · spiritual · redemption · sin · virtue · paradise · purgatory
parable
Instructive allegorical narrative
- fableMoral tale with animals
- metaphorImplied identity comparison
- symbolismRepresenting concepts through images
narrative · Aesop · Pilgrim's Progress · moral · tale · personification · didactic · Animal Farm · extended metaphor · figurative
painting
Pigment on canvas
- BotticelliQuattrocento painter from Florence
- RenaissanceEuropean cultural reawakening
- iconographyAnalysis of artistic symbols
symbolic imagery · fresco · Bruegel · vanitas · personification · tableau · mural · emblem · classical · mythological
Animal Farm
Satirical novella about rebellion
- satireMockery exposing vice
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
- propagandaBiased information for influence
Orwell · revolution · totalitarianism · commentary · dissent · critique · power · corruption · censorship · regime
Pilgrim's Progress
Allegorical journey to salvation
- EverymanArchetypal human figure
- DanteItalian epic poet
- Divine ComedyItalian allegorical verse trilogy
salvation · morality play · biblical · spiritual · redemption · sin · virtue · paradise · purgatory · sermon
Plato
Greek philosopher, academy founder
- caveUnderground hollow in rock
- shadowsDark areas from blocked light
- enlightenmentProfound spiritual awakening
truth · illusion · reality · Republic · Socratic · wisdom · perception · knowledge · prisoners · sunlight
Allegoryrealistic fiction
Invented yet plausible storytelling
literalism · realism · naturalism · documentary · nonfiction
- literary allegorySymbolic story representing ideas
- allegory of the caveParable about mistaking illusions for reality
- religious allegorySymbolic tale conveying faith
- political allegoryStory symbolizing governmental themes
- biblical allegorySymbolic religious narrative
- allegorical taleStory representing abstract ideas
allegorical, allegories, allegorize, allegorically, allegorized, allegorizing