How to Spot Allegory in Literature

In literature allegory is utilized as a symbolic system to represent abstract ideas or principles beyond the surface meaning. Allegorical subjects, products or characters have the literal meaning and a radical one. Recognizing allegory is usually an important part of literary analysis. Follow these types of steps to spot whodunit in literature.

Look for a didactic theme or moral tone within the work. Whodunit is often used since an embodiment for ethical qualities and messages as in Aesop’s Fables. The history itself is constructed within such a way regarding convey a central style or lesson.

Take note of other literary gadgets such as satire that are often used in combination with allegory. George Orwell’s political satire “Animal Farmville farm, ” for example, utilizes animals and a plantation setting as a representation of human society and a critique of governmental policies.

Search for characters which can be personifications of ideas such as greed, envy or dislike. Often their names assistance to decipher their literary objective. John Bunyan’s allegorical work of art, “Pilgrim’s Progress, ” is actually a prime example with characters such as Christian, Old Honest and Lord Carnal Delight.

Identify fantasy, science fiction or supernatural elements within a work. These forms, both as a genre and a device, in many cases are used metaphorically to reflect an idea or belief about the real world. C. S. Lewis in “The Chronicles of Narnia” uses fantasy like a genre and allegory like a literary device to do just that.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *