Explain the concept of allegory and provide examples from literary works.

English Literary Genres Questions Medium



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Explain the concept of allegory and provide examples from literary works.

Allegory is a literary device that uses symbolic figures, events, or settings to convey a deeper meaning or moral message. It involves the representation of abstract ideas or principles through characters or events in a narrative.

One example of allegory is George Orwell's novel "Animal Farm." In this book, the animals on a farm rebel against their human owner and establish their own society. The story is an allegory for the Russian Revolution and the subsequent rise of communism in the Soviet Union. Each animal represents a different political figure or social class, such as the pigs symbolizing the ruling class and the working-class represented by the other animals.

Another example of allegory is Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter." The story follows Hester Prynne, who is forced to wear a scarlet letter "A" on her chest as punishment for committing adultery. The scarlet letter serves as a symbol of shame and societal judgment. The entire novel can be seen as an allegory for the consequences of sin, guilt, and the hypocrisy of Puritan society.

In J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings," the One Ring is an allegorical representation of power and corruption. The ring possesses a malevolent influence over its bearer, symbolizing the corrupting nature of power and the temptation to misuse it.

These examples demonstrate how allegory allows authors to convey complex ideas and critique societal issues through symbolic representations in their literary works.