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.
Writers and speakers typically use allegories to convey (semi-)hidden or complex meanings
through symbolic figures, actions, imagery, or events, which together create the moral, spiritual, or
political meaning the author wishes to convey.[2] Many allegories use personification of abstract
concepts.

allegorical
The story about the dog who sees his reflection
in a lake, thinks it's another dog, then drops his
bone in the water trying to snatch the reflected
bone, is allegorical. Allegorical means containing
a moral or hidden meaning.
Allegorical stories and plays use concrete ideas as symbols for deeper or layered
meanings. Folk tales and fables are often allegorical. Visual art, like paintings, can also
be allegorical, with religious or even political messages symbolized by painted figures.
The Greek word for allegory, allegoria, comes from allos, "another," and agoreuein,
"speak openly. So if you speak of one thing, but mean something else, that's allegorical.

. What is an Allegory?
An allegory (AL-eh-goh-ree) is a story within a story. It has a “surface story”
and another story hidden underneath. For example, the surface story might be
about two neighbors throwing rocks at each other’s homes, but the hidden story
would be about war between countries. Some allegories are very subtle, while
others (like the rock-throwing example) can be more obvious.
In most allegories, the hidden story has something to do with politics, religion,
or morality — complex subjects that are difficult to understand directly. Many
authors find it easier to think through these issues by translating them into
allegories, which are easier to understand (and more fun to read) than dense
philosophical arguments.

ALLEGORY
Definition of Allegory
An allegory is a work of art, such as a story or painting, in which the
characters, images, and/or events act as symbols. The symbolism in an
allegory can be interpreted to have a deeper meaning. An author may use
allegory to illustrate a moral or spiritual truth, or political or historical
situation.
Allegories can be understood to be a type of extended metaphor.
An extended metaphor develops a certain analogy to a greater extent than a
simple comparison. An allegory, meanwhile, uses a particular metaphor
throughout an entire plot.

The word “allegory” comes from the ancient Greek for “to speak so as to
imply something other.” The definition of allegory makes sense coming from
this term, as an allegory always has some hidden meaning below the surface.

Common Examples of Allegory

There are many common stories that we tell which have allegorical meanings.
These are especially popular in stories for children, as allegories often mean
to teach some lesson or help the audience understand complex ideas and
concepts. Stories such as Aesop’s Fables often have morals, and thus are
examples of allegory. We also use real events that have happened to teach
lessons. Here are some stories that have entered into public consciousness
that are also allegories:
 The Tortoise and the Hare from Aesop’s Fables: From this story, we
learn that the strong and steady win the race.
 The story of Icarus: Icarus fashions wings for himself out of wax, but
when he flies too close to the sun his wings melt. This story is a message
about the dangers of reaching beyond out powers.
 Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss: This story about a turtle who yearns for
too much power is actually an allegory about Adolf Hitler and the evils of
totalitarianism.
 The Hunger Games: This trilogy of Young Adult books (and now
blockbuster movies) is an allegory for our obsession with reality television
and how it numbs us to reality.