What Does Allegory Mean Anyway?

The short answer to the question in the title is “a story within a story.” A story that is written “allegorically” has a main story with characters and events, much like any fun tale.

Vain Confidence from Pilgrim’s Progress

But an allegory has a deeper meaning hidden beneath the surface. The characters in the story symbolize other people or ideas in the “real world.” The interaction between the characters paints a word picture of richer realities that the author wishes to propose.

Many writers use allegory to teach about politics, society, morality, and theology. Some famous allegorical stories are Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, George Orwell’s Animal Farm, and John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. Even the Dr. Seuss book The Sneetches is an allegory written to help children learn to not pick on others who are different.

As you can see, a good allegory should have an entertaining story on the surface even if the reader does not yet understand the deeper representations intended by the author. The reader’s delight is heightened when he discovers the underlying truths and their application to life.

It’s important to remember that just because a fictional story is an allegory does not mean the underlying meaning is fictional as well. More accurately, the well-written allegory is a creative tool to help the reader understand more clearly the deeper truths within. Allegories are fun and entertaining, but also may instruct us in ways to live.

As you read The Peaceable Kingdom for yourself, or to your children, you’ll enjoy the story for sure. But be careful not to miss the more profound application to your own life, and to the lives of your children.

Happy reading!

—Steve Young

Steve is an author and former missionary to Mexico. He loves to create his own stories but also helps others publish their own books. He lives in Nashville with his wife, Laura, and labradoodle, Valentino. You can find him at info@YesBearPublishing.com.