- Definition
An allegory is a story where the characters and events are symbols that stand for bigger ideas or lessons, often to teach a moral.
A painting of a blindfolded woman holding scales serves as an allegory for fairness and justice.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: An allegory is like a story that's also a secret code, where the characters and events on the surface stand for bigger ideas underneath.
Ask your child: What big idea do you think this character really stands for?
Common mix-up: Kids might think an allegory just has a simple moral at the end. An allegory is a whole story where many characters and events are symbols for other things.
Examples
- A fable about a slow turtle beating a boastful rabbit is an allegory for the value of steady effort.
- A story about a character travelling through a dark forest might be an allegory for someone facing a difficult time in their life.
allegory is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
