Allegory

Allegory refers to a literary or interpretive approach in which a narrative operates on more than one level of meaning. People, actions, and places function not only as elements of a story but also as representations of abstract ideas such as justice, wisdom, authority, or conflict. Allegory differs from simple metaphor by sustaining this symbolic relationship across an entire work or passage. It allows writers and readers to explore complex ideas indirectly, using narrative structure to communicate meaning that extends beyond the literal level.