Thomas Merton’s “The Other Side of the Mountain” is a collection of journals that document the final 14 months of his life. Merton was a Trappist monk and Catholic author who is widely regarded as one of the most influential American Catholic writers of the 20th century. The journals offer a glimpse into Merton’s thoughts …
Examples of Allegories
The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers is a collection of ten short stories that was first published in 1895. The stories are set in both America and France, and they showcase the decadence and degeneracy of society during the fin de siècle period. The first four stories in the collection are linked by …
Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower” is a series of eight books, a comic book series, and a feature film adaptation. The story follows Roland Deschain, the last Gunslinger, on his quest to reach the Dark Tower, a mythical structure that serves as the center of all universes. The series is a blend of genres, including …
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Diamond as Big as the Ritz” is a classic allegorical short story that has been widely studied and celebrated. The story revolves around John T. Unger, a student at an exclusive Massachusetts prep school, who befriends Percy Washington, a new classmate who boasts that his father is “the richest man in …
The Epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient Mesopotamian epic poem that tells the story of Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, and his adventures with his friend Enkidu. The epic is considered one of the earliest works of literature and has been studied by scholars for centuries. One of the most intriguing aspects of the epic …
“The Fountain Overflows” by Rebecca West is a classic novel that has been read and enjoyed by many people over the years. It tells the story of the Aubrey family, focusing on the lives of the children through the eyes of one of the daughters, Rose. The family is eccentric and artistic, with a father …
The House of Bernarda Alba is a three-act play written by Federico García Lorca in 1936. The play is set in a small village in Andalusia, Spain, and follows the story of Bernarda Alba and her five unmarried daughters. The play explores themes of repression, jealousy, and desire, and is considered one of Lorca’s most …
“The City We Became” by N.K. Jemisin is a novel that has been receiving a lot of attention recently. The book is an allegory for the city of New York, and explores the idea that cities can come alive and select one of their human residents to be their avatar. In the book, New York …
The City of Ember is a science fiction novel written by Jeanne DuPrau. The book is set in a post-apocalyptic world where the city of Ember is the only source of light and life. The story follows two young protagonists, Lina and Doon, as they try to uncover the secrets of Ember and find a …
The Butterfly Revolution by William Butler is a novel that was first published in 1961. The book is an allegory that uses the story of a group of butterflies to explore themes of power, leadership, and revolution. The novel follows the story of Winston Weynes, who is sent to Camp High Pines as a gift …