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0CENTRAL ASIAN JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES
ANALYZING TYPES OF ALLEGORY AND CLASSIFYING
THEM
Kodirova Vazira Sanjarbek kizi 1st year Master's student of the Foreign languages and literature faculty, University of Economics and Pedagogy E-mail: [email protected] Scientific advisor: PhD., assoc.prof., Bakhtiyorova Maftuna
Bakhtiyorovna University of Economics and Pedagogy https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14769403
ARTICLE INFO
ABSTRACT
Received: 27th Janyary 2025 Accepted:29th January 2025 Published:30th January 2025 KEYWORDS allegory, moral, political, religious, social, fabel, personification.
This article examines allegory as a multifaceted literary and artistic device that operates on both literal and symbolic levels. By categorizing allegories into moral, political, religious, philosophical, social, and fable types, it highlights their unique purposes and applications. The discussion extends to structural classifications of simple and complex allegories, illustrating their role in conveying universal truths, critiquing societal norms, and inspiring intellectual and imaginative engagement. Through examples from literature and philosophy, the article underscores the timeless relevance and depth of allegorical expression.
Introduction. As a literary device or artistic form, an allegory is a narrative or visual representation in which a character, place, or event can be interpreted to represent a meaning with moral or political significance. Authors have used allegory throughout history in all forms of art to illustrate or convey complex ideas and concepts in ways that are comprehensible or striking to its viewers, readers, or listeners.
Writers and speakers typically use allegories to convey (semi-) hidden or complex meanings through symbolic figures, actions, imagery, or events, which together create the moral, spiritual, or political meaning the author wishes to convey. Many allegories use personification of abstract concepts.
Allegory can be classified based on the themes it explores, the purpose it serves, or the specific domain it addresses. Below is a breakdown of the types of allegory with examples to illustrate each category:
1. A fable allegory is a specific types of allegory that uses short stories featuring personified animals, objects, or forces of nature to deliver a moral or ethical lesson.
A classic example of a fable that also serves as an allegory is "The Tortoise and the Hare" by Aesop. In this story, the quick and overconfident hare challenges the slow tortoise to a race. The hare, certain of his victory, takes a nap during the race. Meanwhile, the tortoise keeps moving steadily and wins the race, proving that persistence and determination are more important than speed and overconfidence.
Explanation: in this fable, the race can be seen as an allegory for life's challenges, where the tortoise represents perseverance, patience, and consistency, while the hare
symbolizes arrogance, laziness, and the danger of underestimating others. The story teaches the allegorical lesson that steady effort often triumphs over reckless confidence or haste.
This combination of a simple story with deeper moral or philosophical meanings is characteristic of both fables and allegories.
2. A religious allegory uses symbolic figures, actions, or events to represent deeper spiritual truths or teachings. It often conveys moral, ethical, or religious lessons. In religious allegories, characters, settings, and events may symbolize divine principles, the struggle between good and evil, or the path to salvation.
In John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, the protagonist, Christian, embarks on a journey from his hometown, the "City of Destruction ", to the "Celestial City" (heaven). Along the way, he faces various trials, such as battling "Giant Despair" and crossing "the Slough of Despond", symbolizing the struggles and temptations that Christians face in their spiritual lives. Christian's journey represents the spiritual journey of a believer striving to live righteously and reach salvation. This is a clear example of a religious allegory, where the characters and events symbolize deeper spiritual truths and moral lessons.
3. A political allegory uses symbolic figures, actions, and events to represent political ideas, ideologies, or events. It often critiques political systems, addresses power dynamics, or highlights social issues through metaphor and allegorical storytelling. Political allegories aim to convey complex political messages by presenting them in a more digestible, narrative form, often reflecting on the struggles between rulers and the ruled, the corrupt and the righteous, or the oppressed and the oppressors.
An example of political allegory in English literature is Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels".
In this satirical novel, Swift uses the fictional voyages of Lemuel Gulliver to various strange lands to critique the political and social systems of his time. Each of the societies Gulliver encounters represents different political ideologies and practices.
The Lilliputians, a tiny people, engage in petty political conflicts, highlighting the absurdity of trivial and insignificant disputes between powerful nations. The way they fight over the size of a palace door and the "Big-Endians" vs. "Little-Endians" war symbolizes the senseless nature of some political conflicts.
In Brobdingnag, the land of giants, Gulliver's own people are viewed as morally corrupt and politically flawed from the perspective of the giants, illustrating the hypocrisy and corruption within European politics. The Houyhnhnms, rational horses who live in a perfect society, contrast with the Yahoos, savage human-like creatures, symbolizing the potential for a utopian society built on reason and virtue, while also critiquing human nature's flaws. Through these allegories, "Gulliver's Travels" critiques political power, corruption, and the failures of human society, showing the extremes of both idealism and corruption in governance. Swift's work exposes the hypocrisy and moral decay in the politics of his era.
4. A social allegory is a narrative, often in the form of a story, poem, or play, that uses characters, events, or settings to symbolize broader social, political, or cultural issues. The elements of the story serve as metaphors for real-world problems or ideologies, allowing the audience to reflect on those themes in a more abstract or indirect way. A well-known example of social allegory in English literature is Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol".
In this novella, Dickens uses the character of Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformation as an allegory for the social issues of his time, particularly poverty, social inequality, and the moral responsibility of individuals to care for the less fortunate.
Scrooge initially represents greed, selfishness, and the disregard for the poor. His indifference to the suffering of others, particularly the plight of his employee Bob Cratchit and his family, symbolizes the class divide and the lack of compassion in Victorian society. The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come serve as allegorical figures that show Scrooge the consequences of his actions and the potential future if he does not change.
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Through their visits, Dickens critiques the social conditions of his time and emphasizes the importance of generosity, community, and social responsibility.
The character of Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit's ill son, symbolizes the vulnerable and impoverished members of society, whose suffering is often ignored or overlooked by the wealthy and powerful. Tim's fate represents the consequences of neglecting the poor.
Through this allegory, "A Christmas Carol" critiques the social inequality and the moral failings of society, encouraging empathy and charitable behavior toward those in need. It highlights the importance of social responsibility and the potential for personal and societal transformation.
Conclusion. Allegory serves as a powerful tool for conveying complex and abstract concepts in a manner that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through its use of symbols, metaphors, and layered meanings, allegory transcends mere storytelling, offering insights into moral, spiritual, and philosophical dimensions of human existence. It has been a cornerstone of literary and artistic expression across cultures and eras, from ancient myths and religious texts to modern literature and cinema.
By disguising profound truths within seemingly simple narratives, allegory encourages critical thinking and personal interpretation, allowing readers and audiences to uncover meaning according to their own perspectives and experiences. This timeless method of communication not only reflects the creative ingenuity of its creators but also bridges gaps between diverse cultural and intellectual traditions.
Studying allegory provides valuable insights into historical contexts, societal values, and the evolving nature of human thought. It fosters a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of art, culture, and philosophy, making it an indispensable aspect of understanding both the past and the present.
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