Allegory

Pronunciation: /ˈæləˌɡɔri/

Definitions of allegory

noun a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one

Example Sentences

A1 An allegory is a story with a hidden meaning.

A2 The fable of 'The Tortoise and the Hare' is an allegory for perseverance.

B1 Animal Farm by George Orwell is an allegory of the Russian Revolution.

B2 The novel 'Lord of the Flies' can be interpreted as an allegory for human nature.

C1 John Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress' is a classic allegory of the Christian journey.

C2 In Dante's 'Divine Comedy', the journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven is an allegory of the soul's journey towards God.

Examples of allegory in a Sentence

formal The novel is often seen as an allegory for the struggles of the working class.

informal The movie can be interpreted as an allegory for the importance of friendship.

slang That show is like an allegory for high school drama.

figurative Her painting serves as an allegory for the passage of time.

Grammatical Forms of allegory

• plural: allegories
• comparative: more allegorical
• superlative: most allegorical
• present tense: allegorizes
• future tense: will allegorize
• perfect tense: has allegorized
• continuous tense: is allegorizing
• singular: allegory
• positive degree: allegorical
• infinitive: to allegorize
• gerund: allegorizing
• participle: allegorized

Origin and Evolution of allegory

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Latin and Greek

Story behind the word: The word 'allegory' originated from the Latin word 'allegoria', which was derived from the Greek word 'allegoria' meaning 'speaking otherwise'.

Evolution of the word: The use of 'allegory' has evolved from its original meaning of symbolic representation to encompass a broader range of symbolic storytelling and figurative representation in literature and art.