- Get link
- X
- Other Apps
What is Allegory? | 2 Types & 5 Forms of Expression | M.H. Abrams 'Glossary of Literary Terms'
By ShariyaWrites | Category: English Literature / Literary Terms
Today, we are going to explore the "Allegory Tree"—a concept that will help you stop skimming and start mastering literature like a true scholar.
What is an Allegory? (The Foundation)
At its core, an Allegory is a narrative (poetry or prose) that carries a second, deeper meaning beneath its literal surface. It is a "double-layered" story.
The Literal Level: The actual characters, setting, and plot.
The Allegorical Level: The abstract ideas, historical events, or moral truths represented by those characters.
The Two Pillars: Main Types of Allegory
M.H. Abrams divides Allegory into two primary categories based on what the characters represent.
1. Historical and Political Allegory
In this type, the characters and actions represent real historical figures or specific political situations. It is often used to critique the government or society without naming them directly.
Example 1: Absalom and Achitophel by John Dryden. Dryden uses the Biblical story of King David’s son to represent the real-life political crisis involving King Charles II and the Duke of Monmouth.
Example 2: Gulliver’s Travels (Part 1) by Jonathan Swift. The war between the 'Big-Endians' and 'Little-Endians' is actually an allegory for the religious conflicts between Catholics and Protestants in England.
Example 3: The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser.
While it's a moral allegory, characters like Duessa also represent historical figures like Mary, Queen of Scots.
2. Allegory of Ideas
Here, characters are not people, but Abstract Concepts—like Justice, Mercy, Greed, or Holiness.
Example 1: The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan.
The protagonist is named 'Christian', who travels through the 'Slough of Despond' (Depression) to reach the 'Celestial City' (Heaven).
Example 2: Everyman (Medieval Morality Play).
Characters are literally named 'Death', 'Kindred', 'Goods', and 'Good Deeds'.
Example 3: The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe.
The different colored rooms represent the different stages of human life, leading eventually to death.
The 5 Branches: Forms of Allegorical Expression
Now, let's look at the shorter forms that fall under the umbrella of Allegory. These are the "Branches" of our tree.
1. Fable (The Animal Moralist)
A short story, usually featuring animals or inanimate objects that speak and act like humans. It ends with a clear moral.
Example 1: The Tortoise and the Hare (Slow and steady wins the race).
Example 2: The Lion and the Mouse (No act of kindness is ever wasted).
Example 3: The Ant and the Grasshopper (Work today to eat tomorrow).
2. Beast Fable (The Political Animal)
A specialized Fable where animals are used specifically to satirize human nature or social systems.
Example 1: Animal Farm by George Orwell. The pigs, dogs, and horses represent the leaders and citizens of the Russian Revolution.
Example 2: The Nun’s Priest’s Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer.
Chanticleer the rooster is used to discuss human vanity and dreams.
Example 3: The Jungle Book (select stories) by Rudyard Kipling.
The "Law of the Jungle" often reflects human social laws.
3. Parable (The Human Truth)
Unlike Fables, Parables use human characters and focus on religious or ethical lessons. They are common in the Bible and Sufi literature.
Example 1: The Good Samaritan. (Teaches unconditional help).
Example 2: The Prodigal Son. (Teaches forgiveness).
Example 3: The Sower. (Teaches how people receive spiritual truths).
4. Exemplum (The Sermon's Tool)
A story told as a "demonstration" of a moral point, historically used by priests during sermons.
Example 1: The Pardoner’s Tale by Chaucer.
Three men find gold and kill each other for it, proving "Radix malorum est cupiditas" (Greed is the root of evil).
Example 2: The Monk's Tale (Chaucer).
A series of short tragedies showing how Fortune can bring down the mighty.
Example 3: Gesta Romanorum.
A medieval collection of anecdotes used by preachers to illustrate moral points.
5. Proverb (The Pithy Truth)
A short, well-known saying that states a general truth. While very short, they are condensed allegories of life.
Example 1: "Honesty is the best policy."
Example 2: "Don't count your chickens before they hatch."
Example 3: "A rolling stone gathers no moss."
Allegory vs. Its Forms
| Term | Character Type | Purpose | Primary Context |
| Allegory | Human/Abstract | Deep Symbolism | Long Narrative |
| Fable | Animals/Objects | Simple Moral | Short Story |
| Parable | Humans | Spiritual Truth | Religious Teaching |
| Exemplum | Humans/Historical | Illustration of Virtue | Sermons/Speeches |
Why This Matters for UGC NET 2026
In competitive exams, you will often find Matching Questions or Assertion-Reasoning based on these definitions. For instance, the exam might ask: "Is 'Animal Farm' a Beast Fable or a Parable?" Understanding this hierarchy ensures you never get these marks wrong.
💡Join the Scholar Community
Most students stay on the surface, reading just the summaries. But a true Scholar looks for the hidden hierarchy. If you want to master English Literature with authentic references like M.H. Abrams, you’ve found your home.
Don’t just study—analyze. 🎓
Watch the Full Video: [What is Allegory?]
Daily Quizes : [Telegram]
Follow for Daily Terms: [@shariyawrites on Instagram]
Conclusion: Beyond the Surface
Understanding the Allegory Tree is more than just memorizing definitions for an exam; it is about developing a "Scholar’s Eye." When you realize that a simple Proverb or a Beast Fable like Animal Farm is part of a grander tradition of Allegory, you begin to see the hidden layers in every piece of literature you read.
As M.H. Abrams emphasizes in his Glossary, these forms are the tools writers use to speak truths that are too dangerous or too complex to say directly. By mastering these hierarchies, you are moving from being a student who just "reads" to a scholar who "analyzes.
📖 Suggested Reading:
👉
What is Literary Criticism? Meaning, Definition & Importance 👉
Liberal Humanism: Meaning, Features, Critics and Importance 👉
What is Formalism in Literary Criticism? Key Concepts Explained 👉
New Criticism in Literary Theory: Key Figures & Concepts
Disclaimer: Save this post—you’ll need to return to it regularly before exam day. This article is written for educational purposes and is based on multiple academic sources, interpreted in the author’s own words.
About the Author:
ShariyaWrites believes that literature is not a burden to memorize, but an emotion to understand. Through blogs, reels, and videos, she simplifies English Literature for students who want to connect texts with life.
🔗 Explore more here:
Comments
Post a Comment