Question

allegory practice worksheet
part 1: quick review
what is an allegory?
an allegory is a story in which characters, settings, or events stand for abstract ideas or larger truths. the story has two levels of meaning:
literal: what happens on the surface
symbolic: what the story really represents (moral, political, social, or philosophical message)
part 2: spot the allegory - short passages
read each passage. decide whether it is likely an allegory. if yes, explain the deeper meaning.
passage 1: in a small garden, three flowers, rose, daisy, and thom argue every morning about who should get the most sunlight. eventually, the giant oak tree shades them all, and they must learn to share what little light they have left.
is this an allegory? yes / no
if yes, what might the flowers and oak tree represent?
your answer:

passage 2: a young man wanders through a crowded city feeling lost. he asks everyone for directions, but each person tells him something different. in the end, he stops, looks at the map in his own pocket, and finds his way.
is this an allegory? yes / no
if yes, what might this story symbolize?
your answer:

Explanation:

For Passage 1:

• The story has characters (flowers and oak tree) that likely represent something deeper. The conflict over sunlight and then sharing could symbolize groups (flowers) competing for resources and a larger entity (oak tree, maybe a governing body or a powerful force) limiting them, teaching the value of sharing.

For Passage 2:

• A young man lost in a city with conflicting directions symbolizes a person seeking guidance in life. The map in his pocket could symbolize inner wisdom or self - reliance.

Answer:

Passage 1:
Yes. The flowers might represent different groups (like social or economic groups) competing for resources (sunlight as resources). The oak tree could represent a dominant force (like a powerful institution or nature) that limits their access, teaching the lesson of sharing.
Passage 2:
Yes. This story might symbolize the journey of life where a person (young man) is lost (in life's challenges). The conflicting directions from others could represent external advice that is confusing. The map in his pocket symbolizes self - reliance and inner wisdom as the key to finding one's way in life.