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| | The [[Gospel of John]] sets forth two very powerful allegories: | | The [[Gospel of John]] sets forth two very powerful allegories: |
| − | An allegory the use of a fictional story to explain, criticize, or explore real-world events or persons. In the [[Bible]], [[Jesus]]' [[parable]]s are examples of allegories, and some consider the bride and groom in the [[Song of Solomon]] to be an allegory for Jesus and the [[Church]].
| + | *The Good Shephard ({{bibleref|John|10|1-18}} |
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| − | The [[Gospel of John]] makes use of allegories
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| | In modern literature, ''[[Animal Farm]]'' by [[George Orwell]] is a good example of an allegorical [[novel]]. It uses animal characters to tell the story of [[Communism]] in the [[Soviet Union]], from the revolution to the rise of [[Stalin]]. | | In modern literature, ''[[Animal Farm]]'' by [[George Orwell]] is a good example of an allegorical [[novel]]. It uses animal characters to tell the story of [[Communism]] in the [[Soviet Union]], from the revolution to the rise of [[Stalin]]. |
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| | + | In the [[Old Testament]], some consider the bride and groom in the [[Song of Solomon]] to be an allegory for Jesus and the [[Church]]. |
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| | + | == Compared with a fable == |
| | + | A fable is typically a story in which all the characters are animals, as in most of ''[[Aesop's Fables]]'', such that the story itself could never happen in real life and yet it conveys something about human nature. Rarely does a fable convey anything spiritual. |
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| | + | == Compared with a parable == |
| | == Compared with a metaphor == | | == Compared with a metaphor == |
| | An allegory is longer, and more story-like, than a [[metaphor]]. Also, an allegory can make sense (although not with the full intended meaning) when interpreted literally, while metaphors do not. | | An allegory is longer, and more story-like, than a [[metaphor]]. Also, an allegory can make sense (although not with the full intended meaning) when interpreted literally, while metaphors do not. |