Definition of Allegory

Allegory is a highly symbolic narrative, especially popular during the medieval period, in which abstract ideas are personified as characters in a tale. Allegories seek to convey truths about human conduct, morality, politics, or other major ideas and can include stories, fables, plays, poems, and other forms. In the anonymous medieval morality play, The Summoning of Everyman, characters, including Fellowship, [material] Goods, Knowledge, and Kindred, all forsake Everyman when he is summoned by Death to make an accounting of his life. In the end, only Good Deeds will accompany him. More modern allegories are more subtle (for example, Moby Dick).

Get Definitions of Key English Concepts from Chegg
