“The Young King” is a captivating tale written by the renowned Irish playwright and author, Oscar Wilde. Published in 1891 as part of his collection of fairy tales, “The Young King” stands out as a thought-provoking and morally rich story that explores themes of power, wealth, and the true meaning of leadership. The allegory is …
Examples of Allegories
George MacDonald’s “The Giant’s Heart” is a classic fairy tale that has been captivating readers for over a century. The story follows two young protagonists as they embark on a perilous adventure to retrieve a giant’s heart, which has been stolen by a wicked witch. The tale is an allegory that explores themes of love, …
Ursula K. Le Guin’s “The Wind’s Twelve Quarters” is a collection of short stories that explores the depths of human emotions and experiences through the lens of science fiction and fantasy. With 17 previously published pieces of speculative fiction, the book showcases Le Guin’s unique ability to blend stirring adventure with fantasy, making her one …
“The Princess and Curdie” is a classic children’s fantasy novel written by George MacDonald. This book, published in 1883, is a sequel to “The Princess and the Goblin.” The story follows the adventures of Princess Irene and Curdie as they try to overthrow corrupt ministers who are poisoning Irene’s father, the king. While “The Princess …
Dubravka Ugrešić’s “The Museum of Unconditional Surrender” is a complex literary work that requires careful analysis to fully appreciate. The novel has been praised for its experimental style and its exploration of themes such as displacement, exile, and statelessness. At its core, the novel is an allegory that uses a variety of symbols and motifs …
The Light Princess is a Scottish fairy tale by George MacDonald, published in 1864 as a story within the larger story Adela Cathcart. The tale draws inspiration from “Sleeping Beauty” and tells the story of a princess who is cursed with a constant weightlessness, unable to get her feet on the ground. The story is …
“The Passion According to G.H.” is a mystical novel written by Brazilian author Clarice Lispector. Published in 1964, it tells the story of a woman named G.H. who experiences a crisis after killing a cockroach in the door of a wardrobe. The novel takes the form of a monologue in which G.H. recounts her inner …
The Golden Key is a captivating fairy tale by George MacDonald that was published in Dealings with the Fairies in 1867. The story follows two adolescents, Mossy and Tangle, who embark on a special quest to find a magical golden key. As they journey through a fantastical world, they encounter a series of obstacles that …
The Thousand and One Nights is a collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian stories, folk tales and fables compiled in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age. The tales, which are believed to have originated in Persia, India, and Arabia, were compiled over many centuries by various authors, translators, and scholars. The stories, which have …
The Wise Woman is a fairy tale novel by George MacDonald that was originally published in 1875 as The Lost Princess: A Double Story. The story revolves around two young girls, Princess Rosamond and Agnes, who are visited by a mysterious wise woman with magical powers. The novel has been regarded as ahead of its …