allegorizing

Allegorizing is the practice of creating or interpreting allegory. An allegory uses symbolic figures and actions to convey meanings beyond the literal level, often addressing moral, political, religious, or social concerns. The act can refer to writing original works built around an extended symbolic framework, or to the critical interpretation of a text as if its surface narrative is a disguise for deeper meanings. The term comes from Greek allegoria, meaning "speaking otherwise."

Allegory differs from a simple metaphor or a single symbol by sustaining a second layer of meaning across a complete narrative or discourse. When readers or critics allegorize, they read characters, events, and settings as representatives of abstract ideas, such as virtue and vice, or of social forces and institutions. Allegorizing can be intentional on the part of the author or a later interpretive practice.

Historical and literary contexts show wide use of allegorizing. Classic examples include George Orwell's Animal Farm, an allegory of totalitarianism and the Russian Revolution; John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, a Christian allegory; and classical myths that reinterpret ethical questions through symbolic figures. In modern media, films and graphic novels frequently employ allegorical narratives to critique power, culture, or ideology.

Critics note that overt allegory can feel didactic or obscure if the allegorical layer overwhelms character, plot, or atmosphere. A balanced approach allows ambiguity, enabling multiple readings and connections to real-world issues without sacrificing narrative integrity. See also allegory, symbol, metaphor, and parable.