Allegory Examples

There are many famous allegories.

These include Animal Farm by George Orwell and Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Both of these authors used literature to comment on real life events and their own personal experiences. However, these stories are generally read by mature readers. Before we explore those two as allegories, we’ll review some familiar examples often enjoyed by younger readers. 

For example, Dr. Suess’s The Lorax may appear as though it is a story about a businessman who cuts down trees to make clothes and other products while another figure attempts to stop him. However, the story itself offers commentary on the importance of environmental protection. 

In the text, Dr. Suess writes, ““I am the Lorax who speaks for the trees, which you seem to be chopping as fast as you please!” So, the Lorax is not merely a silly character. The Lorax has a goal and wants to remind both the businessman in the story, as well as readers, that protecting the environment is important. 

In Animal Farm by George Orwell, the author’s aim is more political. He comments on certain real-life figures by creating characters who are just like them. For instance, in Animal Farm, a character with predominantly animal characters, Napoleon, a pig, is modeled after Josef Stalin, a former leader in Russia. 

Here is how Orwell describes Napoleon, the character in his story: “”Napoleon was a large, rather fierce-looking Berkshire boar, the only Berkshire on the farm, not much of a talker, but with a reputation for getting his own way.”

This emphasizes that though George Orwell does not use Josef Stalin’s name in his story, he gives his character, Napoleon, characteristics that show his perspective on Stalin’s traits. As readers continue, they begin to see that the setting and plot highlight Napoleon’s close similarity to Josef Stalin. 

Lord of the Flies is an allegory about a group of British school boys who become stranded on an island without adult supervision after their plane crashes. William Golding, the author, wanted to share his experiences about the atrocities he witnessed during World War II. He writes about the island the boys are on and what happens between them in order to illustrate how evil people can be. 

In the story, there are many symbolic objects, figures, and acts that serve to emphasize or connect with the challenges and desperation of wartime. The text underscores ideas about loss of humanity and nature vs. nurture.