Final answer:
An allegory is a narrative with a hidden meaning beyond its literal interpretation, such as moral or political messages, represented through characters and scenarios in the story.
Step-by-step explanation:
An allegory is a story, poem, or picture that contains a hidden meaning, often moral, political, or social in nature, beyond its literal interpretation. In classic literature, Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" is an excellent example of allegorical writing, signifying the journey from ignorance to enlightenment and symbolizing the effect of education on the human soul. Theatre also uses allegory to convey deep political commentary, such as in Arthur Miller's The Crucible, which on the surface discusses the Salem witch trials but serves as an allegory for McCarthyism.
Unlike similes and metaphors that utilize comparisons to describe or enhance the meaning of a subject, an allegory extends such comparison to the entire narrative, using characters and scenarios to represent broader truths and concepts. The narrative acts as a concrete representation of abstract ideas, creating a layered depth critical to understanding the full range of the allegorical message.