Question Home

Position:Home>General - Arts & Humanities > What is the difference between allegory and symbolism?


Question:

What is the difference between allegory and symbolism?

I looked up the definition of allegory - "a figurative mode of representation conveying a meaning other than the literal". However I look at it, it looks an awful lot like symbolism to me. Could someone explain the difference?


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

An allegory is an entire tale or story, say for instance the classic allegory of the "turtle and the scorpion". Symbolism, however, is typically much more specific, for example the "black clothes" that the bad guys wore in old western movies symbolized their evil nature.

.