Definition of Allegory
Allegory originates from the Latin word “allegoria” meaning, “to speak so as to imply something other.” It is a literary device that has hidden meanings. In allegories, character, place or events are used to deliver a broader message about real-world issues and events. It aims to illustrate or convey complex ideas in ways that are understandable or striking for its viewers.
Explanation of Allegory
Allegory is used as a rhetorical device to transmit hidden and compound meanings. Imagery, actions, symbolic figures or events together create a moral, spiritual or political lesson the author wishes to convey. It can be used in any literary script to educate readers about some kind of moral teaching.
Allegory is occasionally defined as an extended metaphor because the theme is developed by a series of metaphor, which sustains throughout the story.
Usage of Allegory
Writers use allegory to give dimension to their work. It is used to reveal abstract ideas or to form an opinion on a certain situation. Allegory allows writers to assert their moral and political views which otherwise would’ve been unsafe for them to put into public. An allegorical work gives us a glimpse into the writer’s mind through his characters.
Examples of Allegory
- A line from Animal Farm by George Orwell
“All animals are equal but a few are more equal than others.”
George Orwell in his allegory Animal Farm, uses animals to explain the communist revolution of Russia before World War I. In order to uncover the exploitation and greediness of the revolution, these animals are given certain qualities to represent particular ideas.
For instance, The horse “Boxer” embodies the labour class. The pigs present a picture of those who came to power in the revolution. Through allegory, Orwell made his point clear about the Russian revolution.
- Lines from The pearl by John Steinbeck
“Every man suddenly became related to Kino’s pearl, and Kino’s pearl went into the dreams, the speculations, the schemes, the plans, the futures, the wishes, the needs, the lusts, the hungers, of everyone, and only one person stood in the way and that was Kino, so that he became curiously every man’s enemy. 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. The poison sacs of the town began to manufacture venom, and the town swelled and puffed with the pressure of it.”
This novella is a great example of allegory which presents the idea of how money and greed can change a person’s life with its negative effects. The main character Kino finds a pearl. He wants to sell the pearl to pay for his child’s medical expenses.
Throughout the story, Kino comes across greed from every direction. For safety precautions, He decides to leave the town with his wife and son. The greedy people still follow him and terribly kill his son. The couple eventually throws the pearl in the ocean as it only caused them suffering.
- TheFaerie Queene by Edmund Spenser
The Faerie Queene is one of the most remarkable examples of allegorical work. In The Faerie Queene, Spenser uses moral allegory because his goal is to explain the interconnection of virtues and vices. Characters represent different abstract ideas.
For example, “Red-Cross knight” signifies holiness, “lady Una” characterizes goodness, wisdom and truth. Evil is denoted by “The Dragon” who has imprisoned them all.
- Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan is a fine example of a spiritual allegory. A Christian sinner who decides to leave the city of destruction wants to go to the Celestial City for salvation. Faith is his only companion to help him cross this journey and reach his goal.
Many characters, for example, Hypocrisy, Mr. Worldly Wiseman and Pilabale try to demoralize his high spirits. His solid faith ultimately led him to triumph.