“The Moviegoer” is a novel by Walker Percy that was published in 1961 and won the National Book Award in 1962. The novel follows the story of Binx Bolling, a young stockbroker living in New Orleans, as he embarks on a search for meaning and authenticity in his life. While struggling with the overwhelming ordinariness …
Examples of Allegories
If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler is a postmodern novel written by Italo Calvino and published in 1979. The book is known for its unique narrative structure and experimental style, which has made it a popular work among literary scholars and readers alike. The novel is divided into ten chapters, each of which is …
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison is a classic novel that explores the experiences of a nameless Black protagonist in a racially divided America. The novel is known for its powerful themes and motifs, including the use of allegory to convey deeper meanings. Through the protagonist’s journey, Ellison tackles issues of identity, racism, and societal expectations, …
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that explores the complexities of society, love, and marriage in the late 19th century. The novel follows the story of Newland Archer, a wealthy and respected member of New York society, as he navigates his engagement to the innocent and traditional May Welland. …
Fahrenheit 451, a novel by Ray Bradbury, is a classic piece of literature that has been widely read and studied for its themes and allegorical elements. The story takes place in a dystopian future where books are banned and “firemen” burn any that are found. The protagonist, Guy Montag, is a fireman who begins to …
Patrick McCabe’s novel, “The Butcher Boy,” is a disturbing and thought-provoking work that has been the subject of much critical analysis. The novel tells the story of Francis Brady, a young boy growing up in a small town in Ireland in the early 1960s. As his family life begins to unravel, Francis retreats into a …
“The Picture of Dorian Gray” is a novel written by Oscar Wilde that explores the concept of beauty, youth, and morality. The protagonist, Dorian Gray, is a young and handsome man who becomes obsessed with his own beauty and youthfulness. He makes a wish that his portrait, painted by his friend Basil Hallward, would age …
“The Man in the Iron Mask” by Alexandre Dumas is a classic novel that has captivated readers for generations. The story takes place in 17th century France and tells the tale of a mysterious prisoner who is forced to wear an iron mask to conceal his identity. The novel is often considered an allegory for …
Sophie’s Choice is a novel by William Styron that was first published in 1979. The book tells the story of Sophie, a Polish-Catholic survivor of the German Nazi concentration camps, and her relationships with two men she meets in Brooklyn. The novel is known for its exploration of complex psychological themes such as trauma, guilt, …
“The Lotos-Eaters” is a poem written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, published in 1832. This poem is based on a portion of Homer’s Odyssey, in which Odysseus’s men are fed lotos plants and become mesmerized by the land onto which they have stumbled. The poem begins with Odysseus commanding his men to have “Courage.” They will …