allegorical
Meaning: Relating to or containing allegory, in which characters, events, or settings represent abstract ideas or moral principles beneath the surface narrative.
Allegorical describes works of art, literature, or rhetoric in which the apparent story serves as a vehicle for a deeper, often moral or political, meaning. Unlike simple metaphor, allegory sustains its symbolic meaning throughout an entire narrative. The term is central to literary criticism and art history, where allegorical interpretation has a long tradition. It collocates with 'allegorical tale', 'allegorical painting', 'allegorical meaning', and 'allegorical reading'.
Examples
- Orwell's 'Animal Farm' is an allegorical novel in which the farmyard rebellion represents the Russian Revolution and its aftermath. 奥威尔的《动物庄园》是一部寓言小说,其中农场的反叛代表了俄国革命及其后果。Rebelión en la granja' de Orwell es una novela alegórica en la que la rebelión de los animales de la granja representa la Revolución rusa y sus consecuencias.オーウェルの『動物農場』は農場の反乱がロシア革命とその後の経緯を象徴する寓話小説である。오웰의 『동물농장』은 농장의 반란이 러시아 혁명과 그 이후의 경과를 상징하는 우화 소설이다.
- The mediaeval painting is rich in allegorical detail, with each figure representing one of the seven deadly sins. 这幅中世纪画作充满了寓言细节,每个人物分别代表七宗罪之一。La pintura medieval es rica en detalles alegóricos: cada figura representa uno de los siete pecados capitales.その中世の絵画は寓話的な細部に富んでおり、各人物が七つの大罪の一つを表している。그 중세 그림은 우화적 세부 묘사가 풍부하며, 각 인물이 일곱 가지 대죄 중 하나를 나타낸다.
- Some scholars have offered an allegorical reading of the poem, interpreting the journey as a spiritual pilgrimage from ignorance to enlightenment. 一些学者对这首诗进行了寓言解读,将旅程诠释为从无知到觉悟的精神朝圣。Algunos estudiosos han propuesto una lectura alegórica del poema, interpretando el viaje como una peregrinación espiritual de la ignorancia a la iluminación.一部の学者はこの詩に寓話的解釈を施し、旅を無知から悟りへの精神的巡礼と解している。일부 학자들은 이 시에 우화적 해석을 제시하여, 여정을 무지에서 깨달음으로의 정신적 순례로 풀이했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, literary, arts
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Greek allēgorikos, from allēgoria meaning 'speaking otherwise,' from allos (other) and agoreuein (to speak in the assembly). Entered English in the early 16th century via Latin allegoricus.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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