“The Man Who Was Thursday” is a novel published in 1908 by G.K. Chesterton. This novel is known for its complex allegorical themes and has been widely studied and interpreted by literary scholars. The novel follows the story of Gabriel Syme, who is recruited by Scotland Yard to join a secret anti-anarchist police corps. Chesterton’s …
Examples of Allegories
“The Ascent of F6” is a play written by W.H. Auden and Christopher Isherwood, first published in 1936. The play centers around the character of Michael Ransom, a scholar and man of action, who leads an expedition up F6, a mountain peak on the border between Britain and a fictitious nation of Ostnia. The play …
“The White People” by Arthur Machen is a horror short story that has been described as an important example of horror fiction, influencing generations of later writers. The story follows the journey of a young girl who stumbles upon a strange brook that leads her into a bizarre valley populated by heavy thickets and carved …
Jean Giono’s “The Man Who Planted Trees” is a classic allegorical tale that has captured the hearts of readers around the world. The story follows the journey of a shepherd named Elzéard Bouffier who, through his tireless efforts, transforms a barren valley into a lush forest. Although the story is a work of fiction, it …
Juan Rulfo’s novel “Pedro Páramo” is a masterpiece of Mexican literature that has been widely celebrated for its allegorical nature. The novel tells the story of Juan Preciado, who travels to the town of Comala to meet his father, Pedro Páramo, only to find a ghost town filled with spectral characters. The novel is known …
“The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect” is a novella written by Roger Williams, a programmer from New Orleans, in 1994. The story deals with the consequences of a superintelligent computer that gains god-like powers to alter reality while studying quantum physics. The book is a thought-provoking exploration of the technological singularity and its impact on humanity. …
“The Little Match Girl” is a short story written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1845. It tells the story of a poor young girl who tries to sell matches on the streets on a cold New Year’s Eve. Despite her efforts, she fails to sell any matches, and she is too afraid to return home …
Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse is a classic novel that explores the themes of identity, alienation, and the search for meaning in life. The novel tells the story of Harry Haller, a middle-aged man who is plagued by a sense of dislocation and despair. He feels like he doesn’t fit in with the rest of society …
Ernesto Sabato’s “The Tunnel” is a classic novel that tells the story of Juan Pablo Castel, a troubled painter who becomes obsessed with a woman named María Iribarne. The novel is a psychological thriller that explores themes of isolation, obsession, and the nature of art. At its core, “The Tunnel” is an allegory for the …
“The Castle of Otranto” is a Gothic novel written by Horace Walpole and published in 1764. The novel tells the story of Prince Manfred and his family, which includes his wife Hippolita and his children Conrad and Matilda. The story begins on the wedding day of Manfred’s son, Conrad, and the Princess Isabella. However, the …