Allegory vs. Metaphor — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 3, 2023

Allegory is a narrative with symbolic figures, actions, or representations conveying a deeper meaning. Metaphor is a figure of speech comparing two unlike things without using "like" or "as".

Difference Between Allegory and Metaphor

Table of Contents

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Key Differences

An Allegory is a comprehensive narrative that involves characters, events, or settings used symbolically to represent deeper, often moral or philosophical, meanings. On the other hand, a Metaphor is a direct comparison between two seemingly unrelated subjects, highlighting shared characteristics.

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Allegory often spans a whole story, poem, or book, where every element can symbolize a separate aspect of the allegorical meaning. In contrast, Metaphor is usually a concise comparison within a broader context, not necessarily defining the entire work.

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While both Allegory and Metaphor deal with representation, allegory is more about embodying abstract ideas into concrete forms throughout a story. Metaphor, however, focuses on an implied similarity between two distinct entities.

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The use of Allegory tends to be extended and involves multi-layered meanings that can be interpreted in various ways. Whereas a Metaphor usually serves a specific point in a narrative or discourse, drawing a clear parallel between two elements.

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Allegory often requires deeper reflection and interpretation to uncover its underlying message. At the same time, Metaphor offers a more immediate comparison that readers or listeners can grasp with ease, even if its depth can be explored further.

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Comparison Chart

Nature

Extended narrative or story

Direct comparison

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Length

Spans entire works

Typically brief

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Representation

Characters/events symbolize deeper meanings

Implied similarity between two distinct entities

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Interpretation

Multi-layered meanings

Clear, direct parallel

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Usage

Encodes abstract ideas in concrete forms throughout a story

Highlights shared characteristics

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Compare with Definitions

Allegory

A story in which characters or events symbolize deeper meanings

Animal Farm is an Allegory of the Russian Revolution.

Oct 03, 2023

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two unrelated things

Life is a roller coaster.

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Allegory

A representation of abstract ideas through characters, events, or symbols

The Allegory of the Cave reflects on human perception.

Oct 03, 2023

Metaphor

An expression emphasizing shared characteristics

The classroom was a zoo.

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Allegory

A tale with a dual meaning - literal and symbolic

The Divine Comedy is an Allegory of the soul's journey towards God.

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Metaphor

A figure of speech indicating one thing is another

Time is a thief.

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Allegory

A narrative technique to convey moral, philosophical, or political messages

The novel uses Allegory to critique totalitarian regimes.

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Metaphor

A linguistic tool to convey similarity without using "like" or "as"

The world's a stage.

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Allegory

Extended metaphorical narrative

His poem is an Allegory of love and loss.

Oct 03, 2023

Metaphor

A metaphor is a figure of speech that, for rhetorical effect, directly refers to one thing by mentioning another. It may provide (or obscure) clarity or identify hidden similarities between two different ideas.

Nov 25, 2018

Allegory

As a literary device, an allegory is a narrative in which a character, place, or event is used to deliver a broader message about real-world issues and occurrences. Authors have used allegory throughout history in all forms of art to illustrate or convey complex ideas and concepts in ways that are comprehensible or striking to its viewers, readers, or listeners.

Nov 25, 2018

Metaphor

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable

Her poetry depends on suggestion and metaphor

When we speak of gene maps and gene mapping, we use a cartographic metaphor

Nov 25, 2018

Allegory

A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one

Pilgrim's Progress is an allegory of the spiritual journey

Nov 25, 2018

Metaphor

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison, as in "a sea of troubles" or "All the world's a stage" (Shakespeare).

Nov 25, 2018

Allegory

The representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form.

Nov 25, 2018

Metaphor

One thing conceived as representing another; a symbol

"Hollywood has always been an irresistible, prefabricated metaphor for the crass, the materialistic, the shallow, and the craven" (Neal Gabler).

Nov 25, 2018

Allegory

A story, picture, or play employing such representation. John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and Herman Melville's Moby-Dick are allegories.

Nov 25, 2018

Metaphor

The use of a word or phrase to refer to something other than its literal meaning, invoking an implicit similarity between the thing described and what is denoted by the word or phrase.

Nov 25, 2018

Allegory

A symbolic representation

The blindfolded figure with scales is an allegory of justice.

Nov 25, 2018

Metaphor

A word or phrase used in such implied comparison.

Nov 25, 2018

Allegory

(rhetoric) A narrative in which a character, place, or event is used to deliver a broader message about real-world issues and occurrences.

Nov 25, 2018

Metaphor

The use of an everyday object or concept to represent an underlying facet of the computer and thus aid users in performing tasks.

Desktop metaphor; wastebasket metaphor

Nov 25, 2018

Allegory

A picture, book, or other form of communication using such representation.

Nov 25, 2018

Metaphor

(intransitive) To use a metaphor.

Nov 25, 2018

Allegory

A symbolic representation which can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, usually a moral or political one.

Nov 25, 2018

Metaphor

(transitive) To describe by means of a metaphor.

Nov 25, 2018

Allegory

A category that retains some of the structure of the category of binary relations between sets, representing a high-level generalisation of that category.

Nov 25, 2018

Metaphor

The transference of the relation between one set of objects to another set for the purpose of brief explanation; a compressed simile; e. g., the ship plows the sea.

Nov 25, 2018

Allegory

A figurative sentence or discourse, in which the principal subject is described by another subject resembling it in its properties and circumstances. The real subject is thus kept out of view, and we are left to collect the intentions of the writer or speaker by the resemblance of the secondary to the primary subject.

Nov 25, 2018

Metaphor

A figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity

Nov 25, 2018

Allegory

Anything which represents by suggestive resemblance; an emblem.

Nov 25, 2018

Metaphor

Implied analogy or unstated comparison

His words were a dagger to her heart.

Oct 03, 2023

Allegory

A figure representation which has a meaning beyond notion directly conveyed by the object painted or sculptured.

Nov 25, 2018

Allegory

A short moral story (often with animal characters)

Nov 25, 2018

Allegory

A visible symbol representing an abstract idea

Nov 25, 2018

Allegory

An expressive style that uses fictional characters and events to describe some subject by suggestive resemblances; an extended metaphor

Nov 25, 2018

Common Curiosities

Can an entire book be an allegory?

Yes, many books are written as extended Allegories, where the entire narrative symbolizes deeper meanings.

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Does a metaphor use "like" or "as" for comparison?

No, unlike similes, a Metaphor doesn’t use "like" or "as" in its comparison.

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What's the primary function of an allegory?

An Allegory primarily serves to convey deeper symbolic meanings through characters or events.

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Is a metaphor a type of comparison?

Yes, a Metaphor is a direct comparison between two seemingly unrelated things.

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Which is typically longer, an allegory or a metaphor?

An Allegory is usually extended, often spanning entire works, while a Metaphor is generally brief.

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Why are allegories used in literature?

Allegories are used to encode abstract ideas or messages in a way that's engaging and thought-provoking for readers.

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Is every story with symbols an allegory?

Not necessarily; while an Allegory employs symbols, not every story with symbols qualifies as an allegory.

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Can a metaphor exist within an allegory?

Yes, an Allegory can contain many literary devices, including Metaphors.

Oct 03, 2023

Is "The world's a stage" an allegory or metaphor?

"The world's a stage" is a Metaphor.

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What's an example of a famous allegory?

"The Allegory of the Cave" by Plato is a well-known Allegory about human perception.

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Are all metaphors symbolic?

While Metaphors convey implied similarities and can be symbolic, they're not always as layered or as extended as allegories.

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Can a work have both allegorical and literal meanings?

Yes, an Allegory often has both a surface (literal) narrative and a deeper (symbolic) meaning.

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Which is more straightforward, an allegory or a metaphor?

A Metaphor is typically more direct and immediate, whereas an Allegory often requires deeper interpretation.

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Does a metaphor always need two elements for comparison?

Yes, a Metaphor involves comparing two distinct things, emphasizing their shared characteristics.

Oct 03, 2023

Can songs contain metaphors?

Absolutely! Songs often use Metaphors to convey emotions, ideas, or stories.

Oct 03, 2023

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.