allegory An allegory is a form of extended metaphor in which objects, persons, and actions are made to represent something outside the story itself. In an allegory the characters, the setting, and the plot all have a symbolic meaning as well as a literal one.

The Catcher in the Rye In the novel Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden creates his own allegory for the transition between the innocence of childhood and the knowledge of adulthood, “the catcher in the rye”. Holden’s telling of the “catcher in the rye” is an allegory representing the move from childhood innocence into adult maturity. He wants to protect children from falling off the cliff, which represents becoming an adult.

The Tortoise and the Hare The hare was once boasting of his speed before the other animals. "I have never yet been beaten," said he, "when I put forth my full speed. I challenge anyone here to race with me."   The tortoise said quietly, "I accept your challenge."   "That is a good joke," said the hare. "I could dance around you all the way."   "Keep your boasting until you've beaten," answered the tortoise. "Shall we race?"   So a course was fixed and a start was made. The hare darted almost out of sight at once, but soon stopped and, to show his contempt for the tortoise, lay down to have a nap. The tortoise plodded on and plodded on, and when the hare awoke from his nap, he saw the tortoise nearing the finish line, and he could not catch up in time to save the race.

The Donkey in the Lion's Skin A Donkey once found a Lion's skin which the hunters had left out in the sun to dry.  He put it on and went towards his native village.  All fled at his approach, both men and animals, and he was a proud Donkey that day.  In his delight he lifted up his voice and brayed, but then every one knew him, and his owner came up and gave him a sound cudgeling for the fright he had caused.  And shortly afterwards a Fox came up to him and said: "Ah, I knew you by your voice."

The Bat and the Weasels A Bat who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life.  The Weasel refused, saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds.  The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse, and thus was set free.  Shortly afterwards the Bat again fell to the ground and was caught by another Weasel, whom he likewise entreated not to eat him.  The Weasel said that he had a special hostility to mice.  The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bird, and thus a second time escaped.

The Lion, the Fox, and the Donkey The Lion, the Fox and the Donkey entered into an agreement to assist each other in the chase.  Having secured a large booty, the Lion on their return from the forest asked the Donkey to allot his due portion to each of the three partners in the treaty.  The Donkey carefully divided the spoil into three equal shares and modestly requested the two others to make the first choice.  The Lion, bursting out into a great rage, devoured the Donkey.  Then he requested the Fox to do him the favor to make a division.  The Fox accumulated all that they had killed into one large heap and left to himself the smallest possible morsel.  The Lion said, "Who has taught you, my very excellent fellow, the art of division? You are perfect to a fraction."  He replied, "I learned it from the Donkey, by witnessing his fate."

Composing an Allegory Think of a strong emotion you have felt at some point in your life. This emotion could be love, anger, sadness, or disgust. Could you associate an animal or an object with this emotion? Think of an experience you have been through? Is there a series of events or action that can represent what that was like for you?