“The Testament of Mary” is a novel written by Colm Tóibín that tells the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as she reflects on her son’s life and the events that led to his crucifixion. The story is set in the ancient town of Ephesus, where Mary lives alone, still seeking to understand the …
Examples of Allegories
René Daumal’s “A Night of Serious Drinking” is a classic work of symbolic fiction. It was published in 1938 and has since become one of Daumal’s most important literary works. The novel is an allegory that takes the reader on a journey through the absurdities of intellectual society. The book’s protagonist is an unnamed narrator …
The Enchanted Duplicator is a science fiction fan fiction story written by Walt Willis and Bob Shaw. It was first published in February 1954 and has been reprinted numerous times since then. The story is an allegory that follows the journey of Jophan, a neofan, as he travels from the country of Mundane to the …
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien is a collection of interconnected short stories that revolve around the experiences of American soldiers during the Vietnam War. Through his stories, O’Brien explores the physical and emotional burdens that the soldiers carried with them during the war and how it affected them. However, the book is more …
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 …
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 …