White Dog by Romain Gary is a fictional autobiographical novel that tells the story of Gary and his wife’s experiences in the 1960s with a white German Shepherd dog they adopt and name Batka. The novel is an allegory that explores the themes of racism, prejudice, and discrimination through the lens of the relationship between …
Examples of Allegories
Les Butors et la Finette is a play written by François Porché in 1917. The play is known for its allegorical and symbolical representation of World War I and its aftermath. The play was well received by critics and was considered one of the best French dramas of its time. Les Butors et la Finette …
Wise Blood by Flannery O’Connor is a novel that has been widely regarded as a masterpiece of Southern Gothic literature. The novel was published in 1952 and tells the story of a young man named Hazel Motes, who is struggling to find his place in the world. The novel is filled with religious symbolism and …
The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld is a novel that captivates readers with its unique storytelling style and allegorical elements. The book follows a death row inmate who finds solace in his imagination and the books he reads. Through his eyes, readers are transported to an ancient stone prison, where they witness the lives of the …
Our Twisted Hero by Yi Munyol is a political allegory that explores the transition from dictatorship to democracy in South Korea. The novel follows Han Pyongt’ae, a twelve-year-old boy who moves to a rural town with his family and becomes embroiled in a power struggle within his classroom. At its core, the novel is a …
Dodona’s Grove is a historical allegory written by James Howell in 1640. The poem tells the story of Europe, particularly England, between 1603 and 1640 using an allegory of trees. It was published in English in multiple editions and was translated into French and Latin. The poem launched Howell’s literary career and is considered a …
White Teeth is a novel written by Zadie Smith that was published in the year 2000. The book tells the story of two friends who met in wartime, an Englishman named Archie Jones and a Bangladeshi named Samad Iqbal. The novel is set in Northwest London and includes a diverse cast of characters who hail …
“The Ten Thousand Doors of January” by Alix E. Harrow is a captivating novel that tells the story of January Scaller, a young woman who discovers a book that unlocks the doors to other worlds. Throughout the book, January embarks on a journey of self-discovery and adventure, encountering magical creatures and facing dangerous foes. At …
Mankind is an English medieval morality play that was written around 1470. It is considered a moral allegory about the human race and follows Mankind’s fall into sin and his eventual repentance. The author of the play is unknown, but the manuscript is signed by a monk named Hyngham, who is believed to have transcribed …
“The Cry: A New Dramatic Fable” is a satirical allegory written by Jane Collier and Sarah Fielding in 1754. The work is a dialogue between two characters, Flavia and Lactilla, who discuss the role of women in society and the treatment of animals. The authors use the characters to comment on the social and political …