Allegories:

1. Allegories: Stories & pictures with deeper meanings

2. An allegory is an artistic work in which the apparent meaning of characters, events, and elements is used to symbolize a deeper moral, spiritual or abstract meaning that usually must be inferred.All allegories are symbolic.

3. “Allegory” comes from the Greek word “allegoria,” which translates to “a speaking about something else.” • allos = “another, different” (as in alias) • agoreuein = “speak openly” Derivation

4. Novels, stories, poems • Plays • Children’s books • Parables • Fables • Music • Paintings, drawings Allegories take many forms

5. Because allegories use characters, pictures, and actions to represent other, unlike things, they are extended metaphors. Metaphors

6. Some allegories are symbolic of general truths or ideas -- such as that all people have two sides to their nature (Lord of the Flies). Symbolism can be general…

7. Other allegories represent specific historical events and characters…such as Animal Farm. …or specific

8. Lady Justice – Since ancient Egypt, justice has been personified as a goddess balancing the scales of truth in one hand and carrying a double-edged sword capable of striking down either side in her other hand. She is usually blindfolded, symbolizing impartiality. Art

9. Lady Liberty and Columbia are also allegorical. Like Lady Justice, each figure incorporates many symbolic elements.

10. Art experts have argued for centuries over the allegorical meanings of “The Garden of Earthly Delights” by Hieronymous Bosch.

11. “The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dali certainly holds allegorical meaning, although Dali refused to explain it.

12. Planet of the Apes (1968) =racism, evolution, animal rights, anti-nuclear politics • Avatar (2009) =extermination of Native Americans for their resources Movies

13. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)= an alien represents the best of humanity • Godzilla (1954) = post-war anxieties about radioactivity, pollution, and nationalism.

14. In ‘Hotel California’ by The Eagles, a hotel acts as an extended metaphor for the state of California, its people, and the West Coast lifestyle. • Don McLean’s ‘American Pie’ is often taken to be an allegory for the loss of innocence and the “death” of music in the age of drug use. Songs

15. A fable is a symbolic story that features personified animals, odd beings, or inanimate objects to illustrate a moral lesson. • Classic fables end with a pithy (brief but rich in meaning) moral or maxim that clearly states the fable’s meaning. Fables

16. Aesop (ca. 620-564 B.C.) is perhaps the best-known fabulist(writer of fables). • Modern fable writers include Dr. Seuss, James Thurber and even George Orwell.

17. Parables are short, anecdotal stories that illustrates universal truths. • The word "parable" comes from the Greek “parabolē,” meaning "comparison” or “illustration.” • Unlike fables, parables use humans as the main characters. • Like fables, most parables include an explanation of the intended meaning at the end. Parables

18. “The Good Samaritan” and “The Sower” are two famous parables from the New Testament. • “The Rooster Prince” is a well-known Hebrew parable. Religious parables

19. The most famous allegorical tale of all times was told by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato in his work The Republic. “The Allegory of the Cave” represents humankind’s need to search for truth and goodness through the intellect. Classical allegories

20. Many children’s stories can be interpreted as allegories: • The Little Prince • The Chronicles of Narnia • The Last Unicorn • Harry Potter • Where the Wild Things Are • The Cat in the Hat • Mr. Happy, Mr. Messy, Little Miss Sunshine, and other short tales by Roger Hargreaves Children’s stories

21. Many of the “classic” novels taught in school are also allegorical: • The Pearl • Black Beauty • The Old Man and the Sea • Of Mice and Men …and, of course, Lord of the Flies and Animal Farm. “The Classics”

22. Now, here’s a question for YOU: Why do authors and artists create allegories?