26考研|英美文学:必背文学术语-Allegory

Allegory (寓言 / 讽喻)

Definition (定义):Allegory is a literary device in which characters, events, and settings represent abstract ideas, principles, or historical events, conveying a hidden moral, political, or philosophical meaning alongside the literal story. It is an extended metaphor. 讽喻是一种文学手法，其中的人物、事件和场景不仅具有字面意义，更代表抽象的思想、原则或历史事件，在表层故事之下传达隐藏的道德、政治或哲学寓意。它是一种延伸的隐喻。

Key Features (核心特征):

1. Double Meaning (双重含义):
    A literal story and a symbolic meaning. 字面故事与象征意义并存。 
2. Systematic Symbolism (系统性象征):
    Every major element (characters, objects, places) stands for something else. 每个主要元素，如人物、物体、地点，都有其象征意义。
3. Didactic Purpose (说教目的):
    Usually aims to teach a lesson or comment on society. 通常旨在教导道德或评论社会。

Examples in British Literature 

1. The Pilgrim's Progress (《天路历程》) by John Bunyan

This is the most famous example of religious allegory in English literature.

1. Literal Story:
    Christian, a man from the "City of Destruction," journeys to the "Celestial City," facing many obstacles. 字面故事：来自 “毁灭之城” 的基督徒前往 “天国之城”，途中历经艰险。
2. Allegorical Meaning:
    The journey represents the soul's struggle for salvation from sin to heaven. 讽喻意义：这段旅程象征着灵魂从罪恶中救赎、通往天堂的过程。
3. Symbolic Characters:
• Evangelist:
   Represents God's word/guidance.（象征上帝的话语 / 指引）
• Giant Despair:
   Represents hopelessness and doubt.（象征绝望与怀疑）
• Vanity Fair:
   Represents worldly temptations and materialism.（象征世俗诱惑与物质主义）

2. Animal Farm (《动物庄园》) by George Orwell

A political allegory satirizing the Russian Revolution and totalitarianism.

1. Literal Story:
    Animals on a farm rebel against humans, only to have their revolution corrupted by the pigs. 字面故事：农场动物反抗人类，革命却被猪群腐化变质。
2. Allegorical Meaning:
    Critiques the betrayal of revolutionary ideals and the rise of Stalinist tyranny. 讽喻意义：批判革命理想的背叛与斯大林式暴政的崛起。
3. Symbolic Characters:
• Old Major:
   Represents Karl Marx/Vladimir Lenin.（象征卡尔・马克思 / 列宁）
• Napoleon:
   Represents Joseph Stalin.（象征约瑟夫・斯大林）
• Snowball:
   Represents Leon Trotsky.（象征列夫・托洛茨基）
• The Pigs:
   Represent the corrupt ruling class.（象征腐败的统治阶级）

3. The Faerie Queene (《仙后》) by Edmund Spenser

An epic allegory embodying virtues and the Tudor monarchy. 一部体现美德与都铎王朝的史诗性讽喻作品。

1. Literal Story:
    Knights embark on quests in a magical land. 字面故事：骑士们在奇幻大陆展开冒险。
2. Allegorical Meaning:
    Each knight symbolizes a specific Christian virtue. 讽喻意义：每位骑士象征一种特定的基督教美德。
3. Symbolic Characters:
• The Redcrosse Knight:
   Represents Holiness.（象征神圣 / 圣洁）
• Sir Guyon:
   Represents Temperance.（象征节制）
• Lady Una:
   Represents Truth.（象征真理）

Summary ：

Allegory transforms a simple narrative into a deeper commentary on life, morality, or politics. British literature, from Bunyan to Orwell, uses this technique powerfully to make abstract ideas concrete and memorable. 讽喻将简单的叙事升华为对人生、道德或政治的深层评论。从班扬到奥威尔，英国文学有力地运用这一手法，使抽象思想变得具体可感、令人难忘。