“The Truman Show” is a film that has captivated audiences since its release in 1998. Directed by Peter Weir and starring Jim Carrey, the film tells the story of Truman Burbank, a man who discovers that his entire life has been a television show. As Truman begins to unravel the truth about his life, he …

“Leaf by Niggle” is a short story written by J.R.R. Tolkien that explores the themes of creativity, mortality, and the afterlife. Although Tolkien was known for his dislike of allegory, the story is widely regarded as an allegory of his own creative process and life. The story follows the character Niggle, a painter who is …

Dr. Strangelove is a 1964 political satire black comedy film directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film, set during the Cold War, explores the possibility of a nuclear war and the absurdity of the political and military leaders who hold the power to start one. The film’s title character, Dr. Strangelove, is a former Nazi scientist …

“The Garden of Forking Paths” is a short story written by Jorge Luis Borges. It was first published in 1941 and is considered one of his most famous works. The story is a complex allegory that explores themes of time, free will, and the nature of reality. The story follows the character of Yu Tsun, …

“The Glass Bead Game” is a novel by Hermann Hesse that explores the themes of enlightenment, the quest for knowledge, and the synthesis of intellectual and active life. Set in the 23rd century, the novel follows the life of Joseph Knecht, a gifted student who rises through the ranks of the intellectual elite to become …

Being There is a satirical novel by Jerzy Kosinski that was published in 1971. The novel tells the story of a simple gardener named Chance who has never left the estate where he works. Chance’s world is limited to what he has seen on television, and his life changes when he is forced to leave …

Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll is a classic children’s novel that has captured the imagination of readers for generations. This book is a sequel to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and follows Alice as she enters a fantastical world through a mirror. The novel is full of whimsical characters and nonsensical situations that have made …

“Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring” is a South Korean film directed by Kim Ki-duk that was released in 2003. The film is a masterpiece of allegory and symbolism, and its story is told through the changing seasons of the year. The film follows a young boy who is raised by a Buddhist monk on …

Absalom, Absalom! is a novel by William Faulkner that has been widely regarded as one of the greatest works of American literature. The novel tells the story of Thomas Sutpen, a man who comes to Jefferson, Mississippi, in the early 1800s and builds an empire on the backs of slaves and the exploitation of the …

“The Day of the Locust” by Nathanael West is a novel that explores the dark underbelly of Hollywood through the eyes of its protagonist, Tod Hackett. Published in 1939, the novel follows Hackett, a disillusioned artist, as he encounters eccentric characters and witnesses the decay of dreams in the entertainment industry. The novel is a …