Allegory
Allegory is one of four primary ways to express a truth, typically about a fundamental aspect of life. An allegory differs from a parable, a fable, and a metaphor. Sometimes parables and fables are viewed as types of allegories.
An allegory is a description or story that is logical and rings true, while conveying a profound insight about life itself.
The Gospel of John sets forth two very powerful allegories:
- The Good Shepherd John 10:1-18
- The True Vine John 15:1-8
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 the Old Testament, some consider the bride and groom in the Song of Solomon to be an allegory for Jesus and the Church.
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.
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.
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.