Obscure Literary Terms: Allegory

A favorite TikTok/Instagram trend of mine was "Say _________ without saying _________."

For example:

Say you're a millennial without saying you're a millennial.

"I still use 'LOL' unironically."

Say you're a cat owner without saying you're a cat owner.

"I can't leave my drink unattended for more than 5 seconds."

Say you're into gaming without saying you're into gaming.

"I just need one more level before bed... four hours ago."

Say you're from the Midwest without saying you're from the Midwest.

"I brought a casserole to the party—hope that's okay!"

Distilled down to the essence, a person is able to get the point across without directly saying the point in question.

What literary term is that similar to? The ✨allegory✨.

A what?

“Allegory” is derived from the ancient Greek word, ἀλληγορία (pronounced ah-lay-gor-EE-ah), which means "speaking otherwise" or "speaking figuratively." It is a combination of two parts: ἄλλος (allos), meaning "other," and ἀγορεύειν (agoreuein), meaning "to speak in public" or "to harangue." The word passed into Latin as “allegoria” and from there into English.

Writers are able to say _____________ without saying _____________.

Say you're writing about political corruption without saying you're writing about political corruption.

"The kingdom's rulers grew fat and lazy while the villagers struggled to find enough food."

Say you're critiquing society without saying you're critiquing society.

"In the city of mirrors, everyone was too busy staring at their reflections to notice the crumbling walls around them."

Say you're exploring personal growth without saying you're exploring personal growth.

"The seed buried in the dirt wondered if it would ever see sunlight, not realizing the darkness was necessary for it to bloom."

Say you're commenting on class differences without saying you're commenting on class differences.

"The workers toiled in the shadows, building a tower so tall only the elite could see the sky from its peak."

An allegory is a very useful writing tool for getting your point across without forcing it down a reader's throat. Better yet, there are a few flavors of allegory to choose from:

1. Moral Allegory

Characters and events symbolize moral qualities or virtues.

Examples: 

• Soul (2020): This movie explores the idea that life's true value lies not in professional success but in experiences, relationships, and personal growth. Through seeing the protagonist's journey, viewers are encouraged to reflect on their own life purposes and the importance of appreciating everyday moments.

Trigger Warnings: Discussions of existential themes, death, and feelings of inadequacy.

• Life of Pi by Yann Martel: This story showcases faith and resilience through Pi's survival at sea, emphasizing the importance of choosing one's narrative in difficult times. The tiger symbolizes the struggle between instinct and civilization, representing Pi’s internal conflicts.

TWs: Themes of survival, animal violence, trauma, and loss.

• Whiplash (2014): This movie comments on the extremes of ambition and the moral boundaries one may have to cross in pursuit of greatness. The mentor-student relationship raises questions about the ethics of pushing oneself and others to the limits.

TWs: Psychological abuse, bullying, and intense pressure in a competitive environment.

• The Giver by Lois Lowry: This narrative delves into the cost of conformity and the sacrifice of individuality in a controlled society. It serves as a cautionary tale about losing freedom, emotion, and the moral implications of a utopian existence.

TWs: Themes of emotional suppression, euthanasia, and loss of individuality.

2. Political Allegory

Used to comment on political situations, ideologies, or figures.

Examples: 

• Animal Farm by George Orwell: This allegory uses farm animals to critique totalitarianism and the betrayal of revolutionary ideals. Key figures from the Russian Revolution are covered in symbolism. The shift from hope to oppression illustrates how power can corrupt.

TWs: Violence, manipulation, and themes of totalitarianism.

• The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood: The story critiques authoritarianism and patriarchy and showcases the extreme oppression of women’s rights. The narrative is a warning about the dangers of fundamentalism and loss of autonomy.

TWs: Sexual violence, forced subjugation, and misogynistic themes.

• The Hunger Games (2012): This movie critiques social inequality and the exploitation of the underprivileged folk. The "spectacle of violence" serves as commentary on media manipulation and the consequences of authoritarian control.

TWs: Violence, oppression, and themes of survival under duress.

• Elysium (2013): This movie addresses class inequality and immigration, portraying a divided society where the wealthy live in luxury while the poor struggle for survival. It critiques the systemic barriers that perpetuate inequality.

TWs: Violence, class struggle, and themes of systemic oppression.

3. Religious Allegory

Stories or characters symbolize religious concepts, figures, or events.

Examples:

• The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis: Aslan symbolizes Christ and explores themes of sacrifice, redemption, and resurrection. The narrative serves to illustrate moral lessons through a fantastical lens.

TWs: Death, sacrifice, and themes of good versus evil.

• The Shack by William P. Young: This story addresses faith and the nature of God’s love in the midst of tragedy, using allegory to explore forgiveness and healing. It invites readers to confront their beliefs and understandings of divinity.

TWs: Discussions of trauma, grief, and loss of a loved one.

• (I haven't read as many works in this category so I don't have much to properly comment on.)

4. Philosophical Allegory

Abstract concepts like knowledge, truth, or human nature are represented through symbols or stories.

Examples:

• Plato’s Allegory of the Cave: This classic allegory represents human ignorance and the pursuit of enlightenment. It illustrates the journey from darkness—ignorance—to light—knowledge—and the challenges of understanding truth.

TWs: Themes of existential struggle and the discomfort of confronting harsh truths.

• The Truman Show (1998): This movie raises questions about reality, freedom, and self-awareness. Truman’s journey symbolizes the quest for truth in a controlled environment, reflecting philosophical themes of existence and choice.

TWs: Manipulation, loss of autonomy, and themes of existential dread.

• The Matrix (1999): This movie explores perception of reality and free will, drawing from philosophical concepts about the nature of existence and the illusion of choice. Heavy on Platonic and Cartesian themes. It invites—or challenges, depending on how you look at it—viewers to question their understanding of reality.

TWs: Violence, existential themes, and the questioning of reality.

• Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder: This book provides an overview of Western philosophy through a narrative lens, using allegory to explore philosophical questions about existence, knowledge, and identity.

TWs: Themes of existential questioning and philosophical disillusionment.

5. Social Allegory

Illustrates social issues such as class struggles, inequality, or human rights through symbolic narrative.

Examples:

• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: This allegory critiques class disparity and societal violence, reflecting on how media manipulates public perception and controls narratives. It highlights the consequences of societal inequality.

TWs: Violence, oppression, and themes of survival under duress.

• Snowpiercer (2013): This movie serves as a commentary on social hierarchy and climate disaster, using a train as a microcosm of society to illustrate the brutal consequences of wealth disparity and class struggle.

TWs: Violence, class conflict, and themes of survival.

• Joker (2019): This movie explores mental health and societal neglect, illustrating how social inequality can lead to dangerous consequences. It critiques the lack of support systems for the marginalized.

TWs: Mental illness, violence, and themes of social disenfranchisement.

• An American Marriage by Tayari Jones: This book addresses racial injustice and the impact of systemic issues on personal relationships, exploring how societal pressures can affect love and commitment.

TWs: Themes of racial injustice, incarceration, and emotional trauma.

6. Historical Allegory

Represents real historical events or figures, often with veiled references, through fictional characters or events.

Examples:

• The Crucible by Arthur Miller: This play uses the Salem Witch Trials as an allegory for the McCarthy-era "witch hunts" in the time of 1947–1959. Miller critiques the dangers of hysteria and the consequences of false accusations in society.

TWs: Themes of persecution, hysteria, and social paranoia.

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: This story serves as a historical allegory of Nazi Germany, exploring the impact of war and hatred through the eyes of a young girl, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit.

TWs: Death, violence, and themes of war and persecution.

• The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead: This narrative reimagines the Underground Railroad as a literal train, symbolizing the fight for freedom against the horrors of slavery and the brutal realities of the past.

TWs: Slavery, violence, and themes of oppression.

• Pan's Labyrinth (2006): (not the one with David Bowie) Set during Francoist Spain, this movie uses fantasy to comment on the brutalities of war and fascism, reflecting the loss of innocence in a conflict-ridden society.

TWs: Violence, war trauma, and themes of loss and suffering.

7. Romantic Allegory

Uses symbolic characters and settings to explore themes of love, passion, or personal growth.

Examples:

• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green: This narrative explores the fragility of life and love through the protagonists' battles with illness, using their experiences as metaphors for the fleeting nature of relationships.

TWs: Terminal illness, death, and themes of grief.

• Outlander by Diana Gabaldon: This story illustrates the themes of loyalty, passion, and the transcendence of love across time and culture, emphasizing the struggles faced in the pursuit of true connection.

TWs: Violence, historical trauma, and themes of displacement.

• Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman: This narrative explores the emotional impact of first love, self-discovery, and memory, using the relationship between the characters to reflect on the beauty and pain of fleeting moments.

TWs: Themes of sexual awakening, longing, and loss.

• The Shape of Water (2017): This movie serves as a romantic allegory about acceptance and love beyond societal norms, highlighting the beauty found in connections that challenge conventional expectations.

TWs: Themes of isolation, abuse, and societal rejection.

Well isn’t that just like a metaphor? Well isn’t that the same as symbolism? Well doesn’t that have the same meaning as a parable?

Well…

A metaphor, symbolism, and parable are similar to allegories in that they are literary devices that involve deeper meaning. However, they differ from an allegory in structure, purpose, and overall scope:

Unlike a metaphor, which is a brief comparison, an allegory extends throughout an entire story where nearly every character and event has a symbolic meaning. While symbolism focuses on individual elements representing deeper ideas, allegory involves the whole narrative being symbolic. Lastly, a parable is simpler and shorter, designed to teach a single moral lesson (like Aesop's Fables!), whereas an allegory is more complex and layered in meaning.

Why does Allegory still matter? Aren’t there enough classical examples?

As we humans live on, so will allegory. It’s relevant because it provides a way to discuss complex, sometimes controversial, sometimes abstract ideas in an indirect, engaging, and overall more palatable way. Nobody wants to experience the full throes of (x) but talking about it via (a softer version of x) certainly opens up the discussion to procure more growth. One is able to critique their political systems, cultural anxieties, and comment on their opinion of societal norms without pointing a finger too closely at the problem. After all, subtlety is key with allegory.

What do we as writers do with it? What ideals does a writer follow in order to create allegory? I can't speak for anybody since I'm still a student in this particular school of thought. BUT here is what I've been able to observe:

1. Pick a Theme—Any Theme!

You have a strong enough opinion on this theme to analyze it down to the minute details in order to properly come up with a literary equivalent of such themes. This is the foundation of your allegory. You must have solid ground to stand upon your case!

If you want to explore the theme of oppression, you could focus on issues like authoritarianism, societal norms, or personal struggles.

If you want to explore the theme of freedom, issues like authoritarianism, personal autonomy, or societal constraints may be pertinent.

If you want to explore the theme of identity, focusing on elements of cultural heritage, self-acceptance, and the search for belonging may be where to start.

If you want to explore the theme of greed, concepts of materialism, environmental degradation, and personal vs. communal needs may help.

If you want to explore the theme of love, focusing on the complexities of relationships, sacrifice, and unconditional love may be impactful.

2. The Status Symbols

For this bit, I don't mean that your themes have to show your own prestige. I mean to convey that the characters, settings, and events used in your story are not only able to symbolize broader concepts related to your theme, but that they also hold the proper status in comparison. It's key to getting your connections to have an impact. Characters, settings, and events can represent various ideologies, societal roles, or moral qualities. For example:

The Theme of Love

Characters:

The Star-Crossed Lovers: Represents the challenges and sacrifices inherent in love, often facing external obstacles.

The Wise Old Woman: A character who embodies unconditional love and nurtures others, symbolizing wisdom and compassion.

Settings:

The Heart-shaped Garden: A place where love blooms, symbolizing growth, intimacy, and connection.

The Lonely Mountain: Represents the emotional distance or challenges that love must overcome.

Events:

The Great Sacrifice: An event where one character must make a significant sacrifice for another, illustrating the depth and complexity of love.

The Theme of Greed

Characters:

The Greedy Merchant: A character who represents materialism and selfishness, often ignoring the needs of others.

The Humble Peasant: Symbolizes contentment and the value of simplicity, contrasting with the merchant's greed.

Settings:

The Golden Palace: Represents wealth and excess, symbolizing the superficiality of material possessions.

The Desolate Wasteland: A setting that illustrates the consequences of greed, such as environmental destruction and loss.

Events:

The Great Auction: An event where characters bid for possessions, illustrating the lengths people will go to for material gain and the futility of such pursuits.

3. The Characters...Must Have Character

Even if the characters are there to be villainous, they have to have redeeming qualities that make the reader care about their growth. Or, if they're bad bad, they properly incite the growth upon the protagonist. My point is: create multi-dimensional characters that embody the values or ideas you want to explore in your allegory. They evolve and reflect the moral or lesson you’re presenting.

For example:

A character who begins as self-centered but learns the importance of community and sacrifice can demonstrate the value of empathy.

After facing his fears, a guy begins to reconnect with friends and family, ultimately creating art that incorporates his relationships and emotions. This evolution demonstrates the value of self-discovery and vulnerability.

A protagonist chooses to stand up against the oppressive system, using her voice to inspire others. This transformation embodies the theme of self-empowerment and the importance of pursuing one’s passions for personal freedom.

4. The Witch Must Have a Hat!

Yes! The literary witch's hat for plot structure!

Some genres get by with making most of their comments into fluffy prose where the discussion of an idea is more potent than the acting out of an idea. Not this type of story!

Allegories need action.

You must illustrate your theme through the interactions your characters have with each other, the setting, and the events that unfold. Line up your exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution and let the themes really shine through:

Example #1:

A magical orchard that bears golden pears, which grant immense wealth and power to those who possess them. Greer is a greedy farmer who hoards the pears for herself. Dan is a kind-hearted villager who shares the pears with the community. Greer's greed leads her to become increasingly isolated, while Dan's generosity brings the villagers together. The orchard begins to wither due to Greta's selfishness. A drought threatens the orchard, and Greta is faced with the choice of sharing the last remaining pears or keeping them to herself. Greta chooses to share the pears, leading to the orchard's revival and a renewed sense of community, illustrating the value of generosity over greed.

Example #2:

A dystopian city where everyone dresses in gray and follows strict rules, suppressing individuality. Mark is a young artist who secretly paints vibrant murals in the night. A tyrannical figure named "The Watcher" enforces conformity and punishes those who deviate from the norm. Mark is torn between his desire to express himself and the fear of being discovered by The Watcher. After witnessing the despair of his fellow citizens, Mark decides to host a secret art exhibition that reveals the beauty of color and individuality. The exhibition inspires others to embrace their uniqueness, leading to a rebellion against The Watcher’s oppressive regime, illustrating the importance of personal freedom.

5. Sprinkle In the Fancy Stuff

You have the characters and events figured out. However, you want to zhuzh up your story. This is the time to incorporate metaphors, similes, and other literary devices to enhance the symbolic meanings of your characters and events.

A storm could represent chaos, while a calm sea may symbolize peace or clarity. A forest could be a labyrinth of shadows, where every turn leads to deeper confusion, representing the complexities of finding truth in a world of misinformation. Upon a sandcastle at the beach, a kid's hands work like a sculptor's chisel, shaping the grains of sand into towers that reach for the sky, embodying the fragility of human achievements.

6. Make It Relatable

Like I said, writers would ultimately like their readers to have some sort of connection to the characters and the story.

Example #1:

Stu, a middle-aged man dealing with the loss of his job and struggling with feelings of inadequacy. Stu’s journey reflects the universal fear of unemployment and identity loss. As he learns to accept help from friends and support from his community, readers can connect with his vulnerabilities.

Example #2:

Leslie is a young woman torn between her family's expectations and her own dreams. Leslie's conflict represents the universal struggle of balancing personal aspirations with familial obligations, allowing readers to empathize with her journey toward self-discovery.

7. Craft a Satisfying Conclusion

Your resolution should reflect the lessons learned by the characters and the ultimate message of the allegory. Otherwise, what's the point? Consider how the journey transforms the characters or society.

Example #1:

Plot: A community grapples with environmental destruction caused by industrialization.

Conclusion: After facing the consequences of their actions, the community comes together to restore the land, embodying the lesson of sustainability and collective responsibility. The final scene shows children planting trees, symbolizing hope for the future. A society that learns to embrace diversity and reject tyranny may emerge as stronger and more unified.

Example #2:

Plot: A society judges people based on appearances learns the importance of inner beauty.

Conclusion: The resolution reveals a festival celebrating diversity, where individuals share their unique stories and talents. The community embraces acceptance, showcasing the power of empathy and understanding.

8. Reflect on Relevance

Consider how your allegory relates to contemporary issues or timeless human experiences. This will help your work remain relevant and impactful.

Examples:

Contemporary Issue: Explores the impact of technology on social connection and isolation.

Relevance: The characters represent various perspectives on technology—those who embrace it, those who resist it, and those who find balance. This allegory resonates with today’s discussions about the benefits and pitfalls of technology in daily life.

Timeless Theme: Addresses the struggle for personal and collective freedom.

Relevance: The characters navigate oppressive regimes, paralleling modern movements for social justice and human rights, making the story resonate with readers who witness similar struggles in their own lives.

Universal Experience: Examines the challenges of breaking free from negative patterns.

Relevance: Characters’ struggles with addiction and unhealthy habits reflect a contemporary societal issue, allowing readers to connect their experiences to the narrative's exploration of growth, resilience, and redemption.

9. Revise, Refine, and Seek Feedback

Review your allegory to ensure that your symbols and messages are clear and effectively intertwined. Consider whether readers will understand the connections between characters and their symbolic meanings without excessive explanation. Make adjustments to improve clarity and impact.

I totally understand what it's like to stare at a story and edit all I can until I'm wondering if it made sense in the first place. That, friends, is prime time to step away from your computer, breathe, and do two things: #2 return to it later, but only after #1 getting feedback from your trusted writer's circle.

Writer's groups will give it to you straight because they've been there themselves. You can meet them at writing conferences, library clubs, online meet-ups—the works!

And what might a story get out of a writer's group? Here are some examples:

They may suggest emphasizing the relationship between characters and their choices, leading the author to add more backstory that illustrates the consequences of their decisions.

A writer friend points out that some symbols may be too abstract, making the message unclear. The author adds relatable anecdotes and tangible examples that connect the symbols to characters’ experiences, strengthening the overall narrative.

The crystals along the path represent personal growth and enlightenment. After feedback, the author clarifies the crystals' significance through dialogue among characters who discuss their journeys and what each crystal symbolizes. This reinforces the narrative’s message about the importance of self-reflection.

A library of forgotten books symbolizes lost knowledge and history. After feedback, the author strengthens connections between characters and their respective stories by revising sections where they reflect on how their lives relate to the forgotten narratives. This creates a deeper understanding of the allegory’s message about the importance of preserving history.

***An important point I would like to make here is that while joining a writer's group may give you perfect insight into your own story, it is also a responsibility to offer the same sort of help to your fellow writers. This should not be an exploitive activity. We are a community! Refer to my allegory about greedy farmer Greer and her golden pears. 💚 ***

IN CONCLUSION!

If you want a nifty tool to offer insight into the human condition, look no further than the timeless allegory, here to stay for as long as humans do. They invite readers and viewers to look beyond the surface and reflect on broader societal, political, or philosophical issues. By exploring these layered stories, we can uncover truths about ourselves, our history, and our world.

Keep an eye out for a hidden allegory in your favorite book, movie, or even song! Already have a favorite? Feel free to share either scenario with me in the comments!

An obscure literary element myself,

Katherine Arkady