allegory

allegory — noun

1. A tale, film, painting, or dramatic work where the people, things, and events ca

1.名詞B2
釋義

A tale, film, painting, or dramatic work where the people, things, and events carry a hidden meaning — each one points to a moral, spiritual, or political idea beneath the surface story.

例句

Animal Farm is a famous allegory where farm animals represent figures from the Russian Revolution.

famous allegory

A volunteer read a medieval allegory and asked the children what each character stood for.

medieval allegory

同義詞
  • parable

    shorter, simpler story with a single moral lesson, often from religious teaching

  • fable

    brief tale, often with animal characters, that ends with an explicit moral

  • myth

    traditional story explaining natural or cultural phenomena, not necessarily invented for a moral purpose

文法句型

allegory + of + [abstract idea]

allegory + about + [topic]

用法筆記

Distinguish from metaphor: a metaphor is a single comparison, whereas an allegory builds a system of symbolic meanings across an entire narrative or artwork.

常見錯誤

❌The dove is an allegory of peace.
✅The dove is a symbol of peace; it appears in an allegory about peace.
💡A single image is a symbol, not an allegory. An allegory requires a story or extended work.

2. The technique of conveying deep ideas about life, society, or human nature by cr

2.名詞C1
釋義

The technique of conveying deep ideas about life, society, or human nature by creating characters, objects, and events that stand for something else — rather than stating the message directly.

例句

Medieval poets often relied on allegory to discuss religious themes without offending church authorities.

relied on allegory to discuss

The author's use of allegory allowed her to explore political corruption through a fictional kingdom.

use of allegory

同義詞
  • symbolism

    broader term; symbolism can appear in a single image, while allegory requires extended narrative

  • figurative language

    umbrella term for all non-literal expression, including metaphor, simile, and allegory

文法句型

use of allegory

allegory + allows / enables

用法筆記

Common in academic and literary-critical writing where the definite article signals the technique rather than a specific work — e.g. 'the role of allegory in medieval drama'.

常見錯誤

❌The author writes allegory well.
✅The author uses allegory effectively.
💡'Allegory' as a technique is uncountable; style or skill is expressed with 'use of allegory'.

3. An object or image that, within a specific narrative, artwork, or symbolic syste

3.名詞C1
釋義

An object or image that, within a specific narrative, artwork, or symbolic system, functions as part of an allegorical representation of an abstract idea — unlike a standalone symbol, it relies on the surrounding context to carry its meaning.

例句

In the mural the shattered chain is an allegory of freedom after years of oppression.

an allegory of freedom

The white lotus flower serves as an allegory of spiritual purity in many Buddhist traditions.

serves as an allegory of

同義詞
  • emblem

    a concrete object that visually represents a nation, group, or idea; often simpler and more iconic than an allegory

  • symbol

    the most general term; a symbol can be a single image, while an allegory in this sense implies a more deliberate, explained representation

文法句型

an allegory of + [abstract concept]

用法筆記

Distinguish from 'symbol': a symbol (like a dove for peace) works independently, whereas this sense of allegory depends on the allegorical context — the object gains its meaning from its role inside a larger story, painting, or ritual system, not from a fixed cultural association.