The 2010 film “Black Swan” is a psychological thriller directed by Darren Aronofsky, featuring Natalie Portman as the lead character Nina Sayers, a ballerina who is chosen to play the dual role of the White Swan and the Black Swan in a production of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake.” The film explores themes of duality, metamorphosis, and …
Examples of Allegories
“The Left Hand of Darkness” is a science fiction novel by Ursula K. Le Guin that tells the story of Genly Ai, an envoy sent to the planet Gethen to convince its inhabitants to join an interplanetary trade network known as the Ekumen. The novel is set in the fictional Hainish universe and is part …
“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce, a Civil War veteran, and journalist. The story was first published in 1890 and has since become a classic example of American literature. The story is set during the Civil War and follows the protagonist, Peyton Farquhar, a Southern plantation owner …
Exodus by Leon Uris is a historical novel that tells the story of the founding of the state of Israel through the eyes of several characters. Published in 1958, the novel became an international publishing phenomenon, spending 19 months on the New York Times bestseller list. It is widely credited as helping foster empathy for …
“The Birthmark” is a short story written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, first published in 1843. It tells the story of a scientist named Aylmer who becomes obsessed with removing a small birthmark on his wife Georgiana’s cheek. The story explores themes of perfection, beauty, and the dangers of playing God. As with many of Hawthorne’s works, …
Art Spiegelman’s Maus is a graphic novel that tells the story of his father, Vladek, and his experiences during the Holocaust. The novel is unique in that it uses animals to represent different races and nationalities. For example, Jews are represented as mice, Germans as cats, and Poles as pigs. This use of allegory adds …
“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 …