allegories Definition
a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
Using allegories: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "allegories" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Animal Farm by George Orwell is an allegory of the Russian Revolution.
Example
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis is an allegory of Christianity.
Example
The Tortoise and the Hare is an allegory about the importance of perseverance.
allegories Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with allegories
a philosophical concept in Plato's Republic where people are chained up in a cave and only see shadows on the wall, mistaking them for reality
Example
The allegory of the cave is often used to describe people who are unaware of the true nature of reality.
a philosophical concept in Aristotle's Metaphysics where a ship is used as an allegory for change and identity
Example
The allegory of the ship is often used to explain the relationship between identity and change.
a biblical allegory in Romans 11:17-24 where an olive tree is used as an allegory for the relationship between Jews and Gentiles
Example
The allegory of the olive tree is often used to explain the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in the Bible.
Origins of allegories
from Latin 'allegoria', from Greek 'allēgoria', from 'allos' meaning 'other' + 'agoreuein' meaning 'to speak publicly'
Summary: allegories in Brief
'Allegories' [al-uh-gawr-ee, -gohr-ee] are stories, poems, or pictures that reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. They are often used to represent complex ideas or systems in a more accessible way. Examples of famous allegories include Animal Farm by George Orwell and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Philosophical concepts like the allegory of the cave and the allegory of the ship use allegories to explain complex ideas.
