Bernard Malamud’s “The Magic Barrel” is a short story that was published in 1954. It tells the story of Leo Finkle, a reclusive rabbinical student who enlists the help of a matchmaker named Pinye Salzman to find a wife. The story is set in the Jewish community of New York City in the mid-20th century …
Types of Allegories
Merlin is a legendary figure who has been the subject of countless stories, poems, and plays throughout history. One of the most famous works about Merlin is the epic poem by Robert de Boron. Written in Old French in the late 12th or early 13th century, this poem tells the story of Merlin’s origin and …
The Light in the Forest by Conrad Richter is a historical novel that tells the story of a young boy named True Son, who was captured by the Delaware Indians when he was only four years old. After living with the Indians for over a decade, True Son is forced to return to his biological …
Shirley Jackson’s “We Have Always Lived in the Castle” is a haunting and mysterious novel that has captivated readers since its publication in 1962. The story is narrated by an 18-year-old girl named Mary Katherine, also known as Merricat, who lives with her sister Constance and their uncle Julian in a large estate on the …
Women Gladiators by Jusepe de Ribera is a painting that depicts an intense fight between two female gladiators. The painting was created in 1636 and is currently on display at the Museo del Prado in Madrid. Ribera’s painting has been the subject of much speculation and interpretation, with many art historians debating its meaning and …
Otar Chiladze’s “A Man Was Going Down the Road” is a novel that combines Georgian history and Greek mythology to create an allegory of the treachery and destruction that ensued when Russia, and then the Soviet Union, annexed Georgia. The novel begins with the Greek legend of Jason and the Golden Fleece and the consequences …
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf is a classic novel that has been studied and analyzed by many scholars and literary enthusiasts. The novel is known for its complex allegories and symbolism, which can be difficult to decipher for readers who are not familiar with the author’s style. In this article, we will explore the …
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger is a popular novel that has been widely read and discussed since its publication in 2003. The book is a love story that follows the lives of Henry and Clare, a couple who are separated by time travel. Henry has a genetic disorder that causes him to time …
Pathomachia, or the Battle of Affections, is an allegorical play that was first printed in 1630. It presents a range of problems to scholars of the drama of the Jacobean and Caroline eras. The play is also known as Love’s Lodestone and is an early 17th-century work that has been the subject of much scholarly …
There There by Tommy Orange is a powerful novel that has made waves since its publication in 2018. The book follows the stories of twelve Native American characters as they prepare to attend the Big Oakland Powwow. Throughout the novel, Orange uses allegory to explore themes of identity, community, and the effects of historical trauma. …