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The [[Gospel of John]] sets forth two very powerful allegories:

The [[Gospel of John]] sets forth two very powerful allegories:

*The Good Shepherd {{bibleref|John|10|1-18}}

*The [[Good Shepherd]] at {{bibleref|John|10|1-18}}

*The True Vine {{bibleref|John|15|1-8}}

*The [[True Vine]] at {{bibleref|John|15|1-8}}

In the [[Old Testament]], some consider the bride and groom in the [[Song of Solomon]] to be an allegory for the [[Church]] and [[Jesus]].

The use of allegories by the [[Gospel of John]] is unique in all of the [[Bible]], which reinforces its authenticity.

== Compared with a fable ==

== Compared with a fable ==

A fable is typically a very short 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 simple about human nature.  Rarely does a fable convey anything spiritual.

A fable is typically a very short 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 simple about human nature.  Rarely does a fable convey anything spiritual.

== Compared with a parable ==

== Compared with a parable ==

Parables are stories that appear factual, and may have actually occurred, in which the characters are humans and message is moral or spiritual.  Often parables have a surprise twist to them that is counterintuitive at first, but completely logical upon further reflection.

Parables are stories that appear to be factual, and may have actually occurred, in which the characters are humans and the message is moral or spiritual.  Often, parables have a surprise twist to them that is counterintuitive at first, but completely logical upon further reflection.

== Compared with a metaphor ==

== Compared with a metaphor ==

An allegory is longer, and more story-like, than a [[metaphor]]. Also, an allegory makes logical sense when interpreted literally (although not with the full intended meaning), while metaphors do not.

An allegory is longer and more story-like than a [[metaphor]]. Also, an allegory makes logical sense when interpreted literally (although not with the full intended meaning), while metaphors do not.

== Animal Farm ==

== Animal Farm ==

In modern literature, ''[[Animal Farm]]'' by [[George Orwell]] is called an allegorical [[novella]] or a [[fable]]. It uses animal characters to tell the story of [[Communism]] in the [[Soviet Union]], from the revolution to the rise of [[Stalin]]. This story does not perfectly fit that of an allegory because the characters are animals and the events could not actually happen as described, but the characters are based on historical facts (with animals replacing humans) such that it is not a traditional fable either.  

In modern literature, ''[[Animal Farm]]'' by [[George Orwell]] is called an allegorical [[novella]] or a [[fable]]. It uses animal characters to tell the story of [[Communism]] in the [[Soviet Union]], from the revolution to the rise of [[Stalin]]. This story does not perfectly fit that of an allegory because the characters are animals and the events could not actually happen as described, but the characters are based on historical facts (with animals replacing humans) such that it is not a traditional fable either.  

==See also==

==See also==