1. Symbolism and Allegory

2. Symbolism A symbol is an object that represents an abstract idea.
Consider the ideas represented by the following:
snow
Light pink
zero

3. Symbolism
A symbol can be an object, person, animal, or event to which a culture has attached importance.
Different things symbolize different ideas for different cultures. For example:
The American flag
The rebel flag

4. Symbolism in Literature
Symbolism allows writers to develop and explore ideas in ways that engage and intrigue the reader. For example: What could the apple symbolize in Snow White?

5. Allegory
An Allegory is a story in which the setting, characters, and events stand for something else.
Some allegories represent historical figures and events.
Allegories can be cultural stories that share a certain stance on moral or ethical qualities.

6. Examples of Allegories
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Animal Farm by George Orwell
“Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allan Poe

7. Fables
This type of allegory has a clear moral lesson, sometimes stated at the end of the story. Ex: “Slow and steady wins the race” A fable usually uses animals to represent different vices and virtues, like: *Patience (virtue) *Haste (vice)

8. Parables
This type of allegory is set in the real world, with human characters. It is meant to teach a moral lesson. Some of the most famous parables in Western Culture are in the Bible:
The Good Samaritan
The Prodigal Son
The Faith of a Mustard Seed

9. Symbolism vs. Allegory
A symbol is a single object, animal, person, or event that represents an idea. This may or may not develop during a text.
An allegory contains multiple related symbols, and the meaning becomes clear only after the entire story has been shared.