Allegory - Academic Mode

Definition of allegory
Allegory is a figure of speech in which abstract ideas and principles are described in terms of characters, figures, and events. It can be used in prose and poetry to tell a story, for the purpose of teaching or explaining an idea or principle. The purpose of its use is to teach some kind of moral lesson. A symbol, on the other hand, is an object that represents another object, giving it a particular meaning. Unlike allegory, symbolism does not tell a story. For example, Plato, in his Allegory of the Cave, tells a story of how some people are ignorant, while at the same time other people "see the light." Plato's allegory represents an idea and does not tell a real story.

Examples of allegory in everyday life
Allegory is an archaic term, used specifically in literary works. It is difficult to discern its occurrence in everyday life, although recently we can find examples of allegories in political debates. Former United States President George W. Bush's statement was allegorical when he used the term "axis of evil" to refer to three countries that were seen as a threat to the world. He later used the term “allies” for those countries that would wage war against the “Axis”. Orwell is an allegory in which animals on a farm are used to mark the overthrow of the last Russian tsar, Nicholas II. And the communist revolution of Russia to describe before the First World War. The actions of the animals on the farm are used to expose the greed and corruption It also describes how powerful people can change a society's ideology. One of the basic rules on the farm is:

“All animals are the same, but some are the same as others.”

The animals in the distance I represent different parts of Russian society after the revolution.

For example, the pigs represent those who came to power after the revolution; "Mr. Jones", the owner of the farm, represents the fallen Tsar Nicholas II; The use of allegory in the novel allows Orwell to make his position clear on the Russian Revolution and expose its evils, Edmund Spenser's masterpiece is a moral and religious allegory.

The good characters in the book represent the various virtues, while the bad characters Represent vice. "The Knight of the Red Cross" stands for holiness and "Lady Una" for truth, wisdom and goodness. Your parents symbolize humanity. The "dragon" that locked them up represents evil.

The mission of holiness is to help the truth fight evil and thus regain its rightful place in the hearts of men. “The Knight of the Red Cross” in this poem also represents the Reformed Church of England, which is fighting the “dragon” that stands for the papacy or the Catholic Church.

Example # 3: The Pilgrim's Progress (by John Bunyan)
The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan is an example of spiritual allegory. The common sinner, Christian, leaves the City of Destruction and travels to the Celestial City, where God resides, for salvation. , a companion who helps him on his way to the city. In many cases, many characters, including Hypocrisy, Apollyon, Mr. Worldly Wiseman, Obstinate, and Pliable, try to discourage him or prevent him from achieving his goal. The heavenly city, led by the faith of Hopeful.

The moral learned through this allegory is that the road to heaven is not easy and is full of obstacles. sins, but this does not prevent him from achieving glory.

Allegory function
Writers use allegory to add different layers of meaning to their works. Allegory makes its stories and characters multi-dimensional, so that they represent something greater in meaning than they literally represent. Allegory enables writers to present their moral and political views. A careful study of an allegorical writing can give us an idea of the mind of its writer, how he sees the world, and how he wishes the world to be.