Allegory uses symbolism to address big-picture problems (like war and inequality). It is the task of the enlightened not only to ascend to learning and to see the good but to be willing to descend again to those prisoners and to share their troubles and their honors, whether they are worth having or not. Origins and Examples of Allegory. One of the most famous examples of allegory in history is Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, in which a group of people is chained inside a cave and sees only shadows of the outside world projected on the wall of the cave. Examples of Allegory: Examples of Allegories. The surface story is about a group of farm animals who rise up, kick out the humans, and try to run the farm themselves. Rather, they can express it through moving scenes, jarring dialogue, and inventive characters. Bravery, loyalty, and tenacity can be expressed in nearly any genre. The news stirred up something infinitely black and evil in the town; the black distillate was like the scorpion, or like hunger in the smell of food, or like loneliness when love is withheld. }); An allegory is a work of art, such as a story or painting, in which the characters, images, and/or events act as symbols. Spell. Allegory comes from the Greek and Latin term, allegoria, which means “speaking otherwise”, or “veiled language”.An allegory has two meanings: a literal meaning, and a figurative, often symbolic, meaning. target_type:'mix' The word “allegory” comes from the ancient Greek for “to speak so as to imply something other.” The definition of allegory makes sense coming from this term, as an allegory always has some hidden meaning below the surface. Authors have used allegory throughout history in all forms of art to illustrate or convey complex ideas and concepts in ways that are comprehensible or striking to its viewers, readers, or listeners. 1. window._taboola=window._taboola||[]; Let's take a look at a few great examples of allegory in literature. Here’s a quick and simple definition:Some additional key details about allegory: 1. Here are some prominent allegory examples. Through the course of the story, Kino encounters greed in every direction, which forces him to flee the town with his wife and son. Here are some stories that have entered into public consciousness that are also allegories: Allegories have been used for centuries in many different cultures. George Orwell, Animal Farm.Animal Farm is a great example of allegory, and is often taught in high school English classes to introduce the concept. To illustrate a simple concept in more exciting ways. Alliteration. Literary Terms (allegory-figurative language) STUDY. Is imagery a literary device? The underlying story is that it doesn’t take much for a liar to lose the trust of others, which can hurt him in a time of need. No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. An allegory, meanwhile, uses a particular metaphor throughout an entire plot. All Rights Reserved, Allegory of Queen Elizabeth (English School), The Feast of Herod with the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, Allegory Examples: Famous Hidden Morals & Ideas. The Republic by Plato may not be one of the most accurate examples of the literary technique since it is a philosophical work, but it is one of the most quoted examples. Allegory is a word used most often in reference to literary works, past or present. And the symbolic meaning is usually far-fetched and greater than the surface, literal meaning. When he actually sees a wolf, no one believes him. Click here to go back to the literary devices homepage. This story is a message about the dangers of reaching beyond out powers. Learn. Premium. Flashcards. Worksheets / English Language Arts / Literary Devices / Allegory Examples and Worksheets. 2. Tolkien insisted that he did not write his Lord of the Rings trilogy as an allegory of good and evil, yet it is very easy to read the series that way. Allegory Examples and Worksheets. Animal Farm by George Orwell is a political allegory pertaining to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the rise of communism. Able to see reality for the first time it … common examples allegory! People and understand the world around us examples and worksheets to ancient and! Lessons, explain moral concepts, and then where should we be vision... In a way that is comprehensible to the literary devices such as Aesop’s fables often have morals and... Recent allegory example is George Orwell’s dystopian novels Animal Farm extended metaphor develops a certain.! 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