Here's why:
* Literal Meaning: An allegory tells a story on a surface level, with characters, events, and settings that exist in the real world or a fictional one.
* Symbolic Meaning: However, every element in an allegory also represents something else, often an abstract concept, moral, or philosophical idea.
Examples:
* George Orwell's *Animal Farm*: On the surface, it's about animals overthrowing their human farmer and establishing their own society. However, it's an allegory for the Russian Revolution, where the animals represent different social groups and the farm's history mirrors the rise and fall of communism.
* The Bible's *Parable of the Good Samaritan*: The literal story tells of a Samaritan helping a man in need. Symbolically, it teaches about showing compassion and extending help to those who are different from us.
* Nathaniel Hawthorne's *The Scarlet Letter*: The literal story is about a woman named Hester Prynne who is ostracized for adultery. However, it also explores themes of sin, guilt, and the hypocrisy of Puritan society.
Key Features of Allegory:
* Every element has a symbolic meaning.
* The symbolic meaning is often related to a larger theme or idea.
* The allegory often uses personification, metaphor, and other literary devices to convey its symbolic meaning.
While other literary devices might have symbolic meaning, allegory is unique in that every single element is meant to be interpreted on both a literal and symbolic level, making it a powerful tool for conveying complex ideas in a compelling and memorable way.